<p>16:15 <i>You know the family of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia- </i>It depends how we define Achaia or &quot;Asia&quot;, because Rom. 16:5 says that Epaenetus was the first-fruit of Achaia. Perhaps Epaenetus was one of the extended family of Stephanas, perhaps a slave within it. The first convert in Asia, therefore, was an obscure slave. This is typical of how God works with the small things in human eyes.</p><p><i>And that they have devoted themselves to serving the saints; now I beseech you, brothers- </i>There is a word play here, masked in the translations: the household of Stephanas &lsquo;devoted&rsquo; themselves to the Lord&rsquo;s service (Gk. <i>tasso</i>), and the ecclesia is bidden &ldquo;submit&rdquo; (Gk. <i>hupotasso</i>) to them (:16). Enthusiastic service by individuals truly influences the whole community. &quot;Serving the saints&quot; is literally &quot;the ministry of the saints&quot;, and this term is used specifically about the Jerusalem poor fund project (Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1,12). Paul speaks highly of the family of Stephanas because they have devoted themselves to Paul's project; perhaps that is why he calls them &quot;the firstfruits of Achaia&quot; when in fact Epaenetus was (Rom. 16:5).</p>