John Calvin Commentary Romans 16:11

"Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the [household] of Narcissus, that are in the Lord." — Romans 16:11 (ASV)

Who are of the family of Narcissus It would have been unbecoming to have passed by Peter in so long a catalogue, if he was then at Rome: yet he must have been there, if we believe the Romanists. But since in doubtful things nothing is better than to follow probable conjecture, no one who judges impartially will be persuaded that what they affirm is true; for he could not surely have been omitted by Paul.

Furthermore, it should be noted that we hear nothing here of splendid and magnificent titles, by which we might conclude that men high in rank were Christians; for all those whom Paul mentions were the obscure and the ignoble at Rome. Narcissus, whom he here names, was, I think, the freeman of Claudius, a man notorious for many crimes and vices.

Even more wonderful was the goodness of God, which penetrated into that impure house, abounding in all kinds of wickedness; not that Narcissus himself had been converted to Christ, but it was a great thing that a house, which was like hell, should be visited by the grace of Christ.

And as they, who lived under a foul pander, the most voracious robber, and the most corrupt of men, worshipped Christ in purity, there is no reason that servants should wait for their masters, but everyone ought to follow Christ for himself. Indeed, the exception added by Paul shows that the family was divided, so that the faithful were only a few.