The Book of Romans, Chapter 16 – Greetings and Love Expressed

 

The Book of Romans, Chapter 16

Greetings and Love Expressed.

Paul concludes his letter by greeting approximately 26 individuals by name, along with several groups of believers, and gives us a glimpse into the people, relationships, sacrifices, and Christian fellowship that characterized the early church.

What makes this chapter particularly interesting is that Paul is generous in and with his recognition of others, showing appreciation for their hard work in the Church and for the Gospel of Jesus. He never fears that giving thanks and recognition of others will somehow diminish his work as an apostle.
(I say this because in contemporary times so many pastors, preachers and church leaders rule with intimidation and fear mongering. They withhold recognition and honor from others unless they received a direct benefit because they must hold the highest position of authority and recognition in ‘their church’. They rule by intimidation and give praise only to manipulate the weak minded. Jesus called out this behavior in Matthew 23 and Matthew 5:21-6:6, referring to such peoples as hypocrites, blind guides, whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones.)

These verses reveal that the Roman Christian community was very diverse, with men and women, Jews and Gentiles, and people from both the upper and lower classes.

Greetings and Love Expressed.

Romans 16:1, I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, verse 2, that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

(Commentary Break): Paul, like Jesus, is breaking barriers by incorporating and recognizing the value of women in ministry. It is also worthy to note that there are callings, gifts and offices in the Church. Although Phoebe (as with all women) sacrifice themselves as servants of Christ as any man would do, but their calling in complementary, not to rule over nor to usurp the offices give to men by the Holy Spirit and scriptures.

(Complementarianism is the position that men and women, though equal in worth as God’s image-bearers, are created for distinct, complementary roles in marriage, family, and the church. In marriage, the husband bears a headship modeled on Christ’s self-giving love for the church, and the wife responds with willing submission (Ephesians 5:22-33). In the church, the offices of elder and overseer are restricted to qualified men (1 Timothy 2:12-3:7), while women exercise a wide range of other ministries. The opposing position, egalitarianism, holds that Scripture places no role distinctions on either sex.)

(End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, verse 4, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; verse 5, also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Verse 6. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Verse 7. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Verse 8, Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Verse 9. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Verse 10. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Verse 11. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Verse 12. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. Verse 13. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Verse 14. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them. Verse 15. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Verse 16. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

(Commentary Break): You can go to this link  for a short biography of each person Paul greets, recognizes and thanks:   (End Commentary Break).

Verse 17. Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. Verse 18. For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Verse 19. For the report of your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.

(Commentary Break): As I mentioned in a previous commentary break, Paul, like Jesus, has no sympathy for ‘those who would causes dissensions and hindrances, for they are slaves of their own appetites who deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting’. You are to be wise and discerning to avoid such people. (End Commentary Break).

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

(Commentary Break): Verse 20 almost seems out of place among the effusive display of warm greeting, thankful recognition and encouragement. But make no mistake, The Holy Spirit is speaking through Paul as he utters these profoundly prophetic words: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”.
This is the prophetic truth and a prophetic promise for each and every true and devoted follower of Jesus even to this day. It is the same prophetic promise found in Joshua 1:3-9, “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may [c]achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We are to follow Jesus, doing as He has commanded and instructed without fear, for the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 21. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, and so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen. Verse 22. I, Tertius, who have written this letter, greet you in the Lord. Verse 23. Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, the brother.

Verse 25. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, verse 26, but now has been disclosed, and through the Scriptures of the prophets, in accordance with the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;

(Commentary Break): Romans 16:25–26 is Paul’s concluding declaration of the central message of his letter: God’s eternal plan of salvation, accomplished through Jesus Christ, has now been revealed and made known to all nations so that people might believe and obey Him.
God, according to His eternal purpose, has revealed His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. What was once hidden has now been made known through the prophetic Scriptures and proclaimed among all nations, calling people everywhere to believe in Christ and live in obedience to Him. (End Commentary Break).

verse 27, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. (End Chapter 16 – End the Book of Romans).

Romans 16 illustrates the practical outworking of Romans 12: the presentation of our bodies as living sacrifices, using our individual gifts, and loving one another sincerely. Romans 16 gives us actual people living out those instructions; and is the fitting conclusion to Paul’s letter: God’s eternal purpose, Christ’s completed work, the proclamation of the Gospel to all nations, and the obedience of faith—all for the glory of God.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Previous): The Book of Romans, Chapter 15, Self-denial on behalf of others.

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