One Year Journey Through the New Testament
Romans 16
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Sister Phoebe Commended
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Romans 16:1–2.
Points to Ponder:
- Paul begins this chapter with an encouragement to accept and assist Phoebe, a servant of the church. This is the first in a long list of greetings and recognitions.
Greeting Roman Saints
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, ichosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Romans 16:3–16.
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, a couple who had accompanied him on one of his missionary journeys. He noted that the churches of the Gentiles all gave thanks for them.
- Paul lists Epaenetus, a firsfruit of Achaia, and an undesignated lady named Mary. It is assumed that they would know her.
- He offered greetings to Andronicus and Julia, his countrymen and fellow prisoners. They were noteworthy among the Apostles.
- He greets so many other people: Amelia’s, Urbanus, Stacey’s, Apelles, the household of Aristobulus, Herodian, the household of Narcissus, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Harmas, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus, Olympas, and many others. These are all people from Rome or who he knew in other settings.
- Paul then instructs them to greet one another with a holy kiss, and offered greetings from all the other church of Christ.
Avoid Divisive Persons
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Romans 16:17–20.
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then shifts gears and urges the leaders to note those who cause problems, and to avoid them.
- Those who create division do not serve the Lord, but rather their own belly. They offer smooth words and flattering speech to deceive the simple.
- The record of the Christians in Rome is exemplary, according to Paul. They are obedient, wise, and unskilled in evil.
- Paul finished this section by offering the assurance that the God of peace would crush Satan under His feet soon. He then offered them the first of grace.
Greetings from Paul’s Friends
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Romans 16:21–24.
Points to Ponder:
- The friends of Paul, who traveled with him, offered their greetings (Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater). Then Tertius, his scribe, greeted the readers.
- Gaius, the host of the church sent greetings, and Erastus and Quartus as well.
- Paul then offered them grace through Jesus Christ.
Benediction
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 kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Romans 16:25–27.
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then offers the benediction of the book of Romans.
- He offers the stability of God, the revelation of the mystery of God, the prophetic Scriptures, and the word of the everlasting God. He finishes by to “God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 