Romans 16:7 says Junia was an apostle. But I thought only men could be apostles. What does Paul mean?

Here’s the text in question: Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was (Rom 16:7).

There are really several questions bound up in one. Was Junia male or female? What is meant by “apostle”? Does “among” imply that they were apostles, or simply well-respected among the apostles? Any why does Paul include them in the end of his letter anyway?

  • Gender: Since 1977 scholars have increasingly doubted this was a man (Junias). The masculine name Junias seems to be unknown in the first century, while the feminine Junia is well known. Besides, Junianus, the male name, would be abbreviated to Junas, not Junias. And earlier translations consistently take this as a feminine name.
  • Is “among” meant in an inclusive sense or an exclusive one? That Andronicus and Junia were apostles, or were simply well known in that circle. Most commentators understand the preposition as inclusive. But even if Junia is an apostle, this doesn’t mean she was on the same level as Peter or Paul.
  • In the restricted sense, apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus, entrusted with his infallible message, numbering 13 or 14 at the most. (The Twelve minus Judas plus Matthias plus Paul plus(?) James the brother of Jesus.) See John 14:25-26; 16:13-14; 1 Cor 9:1; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 2:20; 3:5; 4:11.
  • Apostle means one sent out: a messenger or missionary or envoy. Barnabas (Acts 14:4) is one of these. When we read Paul’s letters it is even clearer than in Acts that he had numerous female colleagues. Apostles in this sense need not have been miraculous inspired.
  • In Rom 16 Paul "honors specific individuals who have participated in various ways in the Pauline mission by (1) highlighting their prominence, (2) emphasizing their commitment to difficult labor or danger, and (3) preemptively shaming those who may arrive in opposition to the mission. In doing so, Paul shows a strong interest in honoring people who might otherwise be disregarded in Roman society in general, particularly Jewish believers and women.” — Lionel James Windsor, “Junia, Missionary Partnership, and Honor: The Discourse Function of Romans 16:7” 200 Bulletin for Biblical Research Vo. 34, No. 2, 2024.

In short, Junia does seem to be a female apostle, most likely in the sense of a missionary – a fellow worker with Andronicus, likely her husband. They became Christians before Paul. If the first Pentecost was in 33 AD, and Paul was baptized no later than 35, the this couple may have come to the Lord in 33 or 34.