Romans 16

Romans 16 is the concluding chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. In this chapter, Paul greets various individuals and groups in the Roman church, commends some of his fellow workers, and warns the church about those who cause divisions. This chapter provides insight into the personal connections Paul had within the early Christian community and highlights the importance of fellowship, cooperation, and vigilance within the body of Christ.

Verse 1: "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea."

Paul introduces Phebe, a trusted sister in Christ, who served the church at Cenchrea. He commends her to the Roman believers, indicating her reliable character and service.

Verse 2: "That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

Paul urges the Roman church to welcome Phebe warmly as a fellow believer and to assist her in any way needed. She had helped many, including Paul, showing her significant role in the Christian community.

Verse 3: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:"

Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, his fellow workers in Christ, acknowledging their assistance in his ministry.

Verse 4: "Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles."

Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul, an act for which he and all Gentile churches are grateful, recognizing their dedication and bravery.

Verse 5: "Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ."

Paul greets the church that meets in Priscilla and Aquila's house and sends special greetings to Epaenetus, the first convert in Achaia, showing his joy in the fruits of his ministry.

Verse 6: "Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us."

Paul acknowledges Mary, who worked hard for the believers, highlighting her contribution to the ministry.

Verse 7: "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."

Paul sends greetings to Andronicus and Junia, his relatives and fellow prisoners, who are highly regarded among the apostles and became Christians before him, indicating their longstanding faith and service.

Verse 8: "Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord."

Paul expresses his affection for Amplias, a dear brother in the Lord, showing the personal nature of his relationships in the church.

Verse 9: "Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved."

Paul sends greetings to Urbane, a fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, whom he dearly loves, continuing his personal acknowledgments.

Verse 10: "Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household."

Paul greets Apelles, whose faith has been tested and proven, and extends his greetings to those in the household of Aristobulus, recognizing their commitment to the faith.

Verse 11: "Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord."

Paul greets Herodion, his relative, and the believers in Narcissus' household, acknowledging their shared faith and family ties.

Verse 12: "Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord."

Paul acknowledges Tryphena and Tryphosa for their diligent work in the Lord, and he especially greets Persis, noting her significant efforts in the ministry.

Verse 13: "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine."

Paul greets Rufus, chosen by the Lord, and also his mother, who had shown motherly care to Paul, indicating a close personal bond.

Verse 14: "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them."

Paul sends greetings to a group of believers—Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, and Hermes—along with those gathered with them, recognizing their collective faith.

Verse 15: "Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them."

Paul continues his greetings, this time to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all the saints with them, demonstrating the breadth of the Christian community.

Verse 16: "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you."

Paul encourages the believers to greet each other with a holy kiss, a sign of mutual love and respect, and he conveys greetings from all the churches of Christ.

Verse 17: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

Paul urges the church to be vigilant against those who cause divisions or teach doctrines contrary to what they have learned. He advises them to avoid such individuals to maintain unity and sound teaching.

Verse 18: "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

Paul warns that those who cause divisions are self-serving, seeking their own interests rather than Christ's, and use persuasive words to deceive the unsuspecting.

Verse 19: "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil."

Paul praises the Roman believers for their well-known obedience to the faith, but he also advises them to be wise in doing good and innocent regarding evil.

Verse 20: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Paul encourages the church with the promise that God will soon crush Satan under their feet, offering a blessing of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 21: "Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you."

Paul conveys greetings from Timothy, his co-worker, along with Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, his relatives, showing the close-knit nature of his ministry team.

Verse 22: "I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord."

Tertius, the scribe who wrote the letter on Paul's behalf, adds his personal greetings to the Roman believers, acknowledging his part in the epistle's creation.

Verse 23: "Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother."

Paul sends greetings from Gaius, who hosted both Paul and the entire church, as well as from Erastus, the city's treasurer, and Quartus, a brother in Christ, highlighting the influence of Christianity in various societal roles.

Verse 24: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Paul ends with a blessing of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ, affirming his desire for their continued spiritual well-being.

Verse 25: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"

In this verse, Paul glorifies God's ability to strengthen (establish) believers through his gospel, which focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This gospel reveals a divine mystery, previously concealed throughout the ages. This mystery involves God's plan of salvation, accessible to all humanity—both Jews and Gentiles—a plan fully unveiled through Jesus Christ and the apostolic preaching.

In Colossians 1:27, Paul further elaborates on the mystery, describing it explicitly as "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This key passage clarifies that the mystery extends beyond the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s salvation plan. It underscores the profound reality of Christ’s indwelling presence within believers (2 Corinthians 3:17). This presence of Christ not only assures believers of their future glory, which entails the ultimate salvation and eternal life with God, but also transforms them in the present. The phrase "the hope of glory" thus captures both the present transformation experienced by believers through Christ's indwelling—allowing them to reflect God's character now—and the future aspect of Christian hope, which is the complete realization of eternal life through Christ's redeeming work.

Verse 26: "But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:"

The purpose of revealing this mystery is twofold: first, it is "made known to all nations," which emphasizes the universal scope of the gospel, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. Secondly, it is revealed for "the obedience of faith," indicating that the goal of this revelation is not merely informational but transformational. It aims to bring about a response of faith that leads to obedience, aligning the lives of believers with God’s will. The "obedience of faith" in Paul’s writing encapsulates both the act of believing the gospel and the ongoing life of discipleship that flows from that faith. It's not about legalistic adherence to law but about a dynamic and transformative relationship with God through Christ, which naturally expresses itself in a life of faithful obedience.

Verse 27: "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."

Paul concludes with a doxology, giving glory to the only wise God through Jesus Christ, reaffirming the eternal praise due to Him.