Romans 16 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Romans 16

Personal Greetings

16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant¹ of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert² to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia,³ my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles,⁴ and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers⁵ who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Final Instructions and Greetings

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,⁶ and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

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

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.⁷

Doxology

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Footnotes

[1] 16:1 Or deaconess
[2] 16:5 Greek firstfruit
[3] 16:7 Or Junias
[4] 16:7 Or messengers
[5] 16:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17
[6] 16:18 Greek their own belly
[7] 16:23 Some manuscripts insert verse 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

Commentary

v1-16: In describing the quality of fellowship, Paul has two themes;

labouring in the Lord's work; v1, 3, 6, 9, 12; and
love amongst the saints; v5, 8, 9, 12.

v1-4: Faithful servants; Phoebe, and Priscilla and Aquila. Here is personal self-sacrifice for the course of Christ. Paul testifies to personal blessing, and to the widespread testimony to these servants;

"she has been a great help to many people, including me;"
"not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."

The word 'servant' may be translated 'benefactor,' one who provides material needs. There is no separation between 'spiritual' and 'material.' All needs are important. Paul honoured each of those who supported him and his team.

v5: There are a number of references to the church meeting in someone's house; Acts 12.12; Col 4.15.

v6-16: There is real fellowship amongst God's people, and a living network of living churches. These names, although many with little detail given, are known by and loved by Paul. Here is love and labour, diligence (v6), excellence (v7), quality (v10), as men and women serve Christ together.

v17: Those who cause divisions, as in Titus 3.10-11. Even in these days of growth and opportunity, Paul is not blind to the work of the enemy within the church.

v18: Jesus Christ is "Our Lord Jesus Christ," as in v20, 24 (margin); Paul shares faith in the same Lord as the 30 or so Roman Christians he has mentioned. Those who cause divisions do not share the same faith in Christ.

The deceivers lead astray "naive people." They use "smooth talk," fine elegant phrases, and flattery; they have zeal and claim divine inspiration. They lead astray those whose faith is not strong.

v19: Progress in understanding, evidenced in obedience;

"I want you to be wise about what is good," full of good works, showing kindness;
"innocent about what is evil," innocent and ignorant of the depths of depravity, plumbed by so many.

Compare Matt 10.16; be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.

v20: Peace involves the defeat of the enemy; and we enjoy the grace of Christ in our lives.

v21-24: More greetings, this time from those with Paul blessing those in Rome.

v25-27: The mystery of the gospel is now revealed; God will establish us through the gospel, and many from all nations will believe.