A BOOK REVIEW ON JUNIA: THE FIRST WOMAN APOSTLE

Marissa Cwik

Junia is an elusive character of scripture. She appears in Romans 16:7 and remains a leader of the early church until suddenly she disappears from the biblical text and is replaced by the male name, Junias. She reappears intermittently throughout the history of the church but only in the last fifty years has she resumed her rightful place in Scripture under her given name, Junia. Who is this woman, and why is she the source of controversy?
 

In Junia: The First Woman Apostle, Eldon Van Epp systematically explores the linguistic issues surrounding this passage. He clearly unpacks the Greek case system and the implications for translation. Epp addresses other dominant theories regarding the translation of the name “Junia.” The contracted name theory and the possibility of the name “Junias” are also discussed in their linguistic context. While grammatical issues surrounding her lost gender-identity may not be what draw readers to this book, it will certainly keep them interested. Epp’s arguments are well documented and thorough.
 

The author also explores the historical interpretations of this passage. For the first 1000 years of the church, “Junia” was on the pages. During the late Middle Ages, “Junia” became “Junias” seemingly without explanation. However, Epp argues that the broader context of the passage shows possible motivations for the switch.
“Junia” is attested to by Paul as being “outstanding among the apostles.” Scholars through the history of the church have used this description as a starting point for translating “Junias,” against linguistic and historical context. “Junias” remained the dominant translation up until the middle twentieth century. The author quotes Bernadette Brooten on this passage: “Because a woman could not have been an apostle, the woman who here is called an apostle could not have been a woman” (59).
 

Epp documents contemporary English translations of the Bible and whether they chose the masculine or feminine version of the name. He also lists current Greek New Testaments and how they interpret and document manuscript evidence regarding this passage.
 

This book is a thorough tool for scholars and concerned believers who wish to explore this subject in detail. Epp’s exposition of grammar is clear and his research detailed.

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