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Romans 16 Freedom in Christ

1 Personal Greetings
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my relative.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—

27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Previous Chapter Romans 15 Next Book 1 Corinthians

Analysis of Romans Chapter 16

Romans 16 serves as the concluding chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Unlike previous chapters, which focus heavily on theological teachings and doctrinal arguments, Romans 16 is more personal in tone. In this chapter, Paul extends greetings to various individuals within the Roman Christian community, acknowledges the contributions of key figures, and provides final instructions and warnings. Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, this chapter offers rich insights into the early Christian community, emphasizing themes of unity, service, and partnership in ministry.

Paul Commends Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)

Paul begins by introducing and commending Phoebe to the Roman believers:

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me” (Romans 16:1-2, NIV).

Phoebe is described as a “deacon” (or servant) of the church in Cenchreae. Her mention as a deacon indicates her significant role within the church, highlighting the presence and importance of female leadership in the early Christian community. Paul encourages the Roman believers to welcome her and assist her in any way needed, recognizing her as a benefactor who has provided substantial support to many, including Paul himself.

Greetings to Various Believers (Romans 16:3-16)

The majority of this chapter consists of Paul’s personal greetings to various individuals and groups:

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Romans 16:3-4, NIV).

Priscilla and Aquila are notable figures, described as Paul’s co-workers who have risked their lives for him. This couple is highly regarded within the Christian community, having a significant impact on both Jewish and Gentile churches.

Another example is Andronicus and Junia:

“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” (Romans 16:7, NIV).

Andronicus and Junia are acknowledged for their shared heritage with Paul, their time spent in prison, and their notable status among the apostles. The mention of Junia, a female name, as being “outstanding among the apostles,” challenges some traditional views on the role of women in ministry and indicates a broad recognition of female apostles in the early church.

Paul’s greetings continue to a comprehensive list of individuals, each recognized for their unique contributions, partnerships, and service. This extensive roster of greetings underscores the personal nature of Paul’s connections and the significance of each member in the body of Christ. Each name represents a story of faith, service, and sacrifice, reflecting the diverse and inclusive nature of the early Christian community.

Final Instructions and Warning (Romans 16:17-20)

After his greetings, Paul shifts to provide final instructions and a warning to the believers:

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people” (Romans 16:17-18, NIV).

Paul’s warning is clear—believers must be vigilant against divisive individuals who stray from the apostolic teachings and seek to create obstacles. The phrase “serving their own appetites” suggests self-serving motivations rather than service to Christ. Paul advises the community to avoid such individuals to protect the integrity and unity of the church.

“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:19-20, NIV).

Paul compliments the Roman believers on their obedience, encouraging them to continue discerning good from evil. His mention of God crushing Satan under their feet harks back to the promise of ultimate victory over evil, filling the community with hope and assurance. This victory is qualified by “The grace of our Lord Jesus,” emphasizing that this triumph is not by human effort but through divine grace.

Greetings from Paul’s Companions (Romans 16:21-23)

Paul continues by sending greetings from his own companions:

“Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord” (Romans 16:21-22, NIV).

These verses provide insight into Paul’s close-knit ministry team. Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater are all noted for their collaboration and shared heritage with Paul. Tertius, the scribe who physically penned the letter, also extends his greetings, highlighting the communal effort involved in the creation and delivery of Paul’s epistle.

“Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings” (Romans 16:23, NIV).

Gaius is noted for his hospitality, a significant characteristic in the early church that facilitated fellowship and communal worship. Erastus, identified as a city official, represents the church’s reach and influence within broader societal structures. Quartus, another brother in faith, also extends his greetings, reflecting the interconnectedness of the Christian community across different regions.

Doxology (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul concludes his letter with a powerful doxology:

“Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen” (Romans 16:25-27, NIV).

In this doxology, Paul ascribes glory to God, who is capable of establishing the believers in accordance with the gospel. He speaks of the revelation of a mystery once hidden but now revealed—a reference to the inclusion of Gentiles in the salvific plan through Jesus Christ. This revelation, affirmed by prophetic writings and the command of God, aims to bring Gentiles to obedient faith. Paul’s closing words encapsulate the entire message of Romans: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is available to all, both Jew and Gentile, and this divine plan brings glory to God.

Conclusion

Romans 16, while appearing as a collection of personal greetings and final remarks, serves as a vital chapter that sheds light on various aspects of the early Christian community. It emphasizes the collaborative nature of ministry, the importance of recognizing and valuing each member’s contribution, and the need for vigilance against division. Additionally, it highlights the significance of female leaders and the diverse roles within the church, showcasing an inclusive and supportive Christian community.

The chapter’s concluding doxology reaffirms the central theme of the epistle: God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, revealed for all humanity. By focusing on detailed greetings, acknowledgments, and exhortations, Romans 16 provides a personal and communal dimension to Paul’s theological discourse, illustrating the practical outworking of doctrinal truths in the life of the early church.