Junia is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Junia was a Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. She appears in the final chapter, where Paul sends greetings to numerous individuals in the church at Rome. In Romans 16:7, Paul writes, “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Junia is named alongside Andronicus, and the two are closely linked throughout the verse.
Paul identifies Junia and Andronicus as his kinsmen, indicating a familial relationship with him, and as his fellow-prisoners, meaning they had suffered imprisonment alongside him for the sake of the gospel. Paul further states that they were “of note among the apostles,” a remarkable commendation that places them in high regard within the apostolic circle. He also notes that they were “in Christ before me,” meaning they had come to faith in Christ earlier than Paul himself did. This detail suggests they were among the earliest believers and may have been known to the broader Christian community for many years before Paul wrote this letter.
The setting of this mention is Paul’s concluding greetings in Romans, written to a church he had not yet visited. By naming Junia and Andronicus with such distinction, Paul affirmed their faithful service and their standing among the believers. Junia is noted in the source as a Christian woman outstanding among the apostles, and the King James text confirms that she and Andronicus were held in high esteem by those who knew them. Her name appears only once in the King James Bible, yet that single mention carries significant weight.
The Name
The name Junia is of Latin origin, likely a feminine form related to the Roman family name Junius, which itself may derive from Juno, the name of a Roman goddess. Some scholars connect the name to the Latin word *junior*, meaning “younger.” The meaning is not as clearly recoverable from the biblical text itself as are many Hebrew names, and Scripture offers no interpretation of the name. What can be said is that it was a common name in the Roman world, and its appearance here identifies a real historical woman within the early Christian community.
A Closing Thought
Junia’s single appearance in Scripture is brief, yet it speaks volumes. She was faithful before Paul came to faith, she suffered imprisonment for the gospel, and she was held in high regard among the apostles. Her life reminds us that faithfulness is not measured by how much of our story is recorded, but by how we walk with Christ in the days we are given. Like Junia, we may never know how far our quiet devotion reaches, but God sees and remembers every labor of love offered in His name.
At a Glance
- Gender: Female
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Romans 16:7 — Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.