Romans 16:

[Preliminary Note: We continue to provide a brief summary of previous sections to provide present context:

• Part 1: Ch.1-8 Our lost state & God’s Justification & the New Life
• Part 2: Ch.9-11 Considering the State of Israel
• Part 3: Ch.12-15 Living the Christian Life  
• Part 4: 15:8 – Ch.16 About Paul himself

[Notes: The nature of this chapter with so many names mostly takes it beyond any meaningful addition of notes. (We will comment in the teaching verses). Commentators question who all the people in verses 3-15 are. We assume they are believers who have known Paul and have now congregated in Rome, both men and women from what appears varied cultural backgrounds showing the wide spectrum of believers in the early church. The key things are what Paul says about each of them. What a community of workers!]

• v.1,2 The carrier of the letter introduced and commended
• v.3-16 Personal Greetings to the people Paul knew who were now in Rome
• v.17-20 Warnings about enemy activities
• v.21-23 Greetings from those with Paul
• v.25-27 Final Benediction

v.1,2 The carrier of the letter introduced and commended

v.1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

v.2 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.

[Note: Interestingly, a woman deacon, and one worthy of Paul’s praise, who was obviously coming to Rome.]

v.3-16 Personal Greetings to the people Paul knew who were now in Rome

v.3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.

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

v.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.

v.6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

v.7 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.

v.8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

v.9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

v.10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.  Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

v.11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.  Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

v.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.

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

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

v.15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

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

[Note: The list of people gives us a clue as to the spectrum of people that Paul knew. Note the language: friends, converts, apostles, co-workers, dear friend and so on.]  

v.17-20 Warnings about enemy activities

v.17 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.

v.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.

v.19 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.

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

[Note: Beware some who threaten unity because these deceivers are out for themselves. A warning against those who appear among the Christian congregation but who are seriously questionable. (By comparison) your obedience is well known and so God will deal with Satan (in your midst) and bless you.]

v.21-23 Greetings from those with Paul

v.21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

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

v.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.

[Note: The apostolic team with Paul are identified.]

v.25-27 Final Benediction

v.25-27 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.

[Note: He concludes: May God be glorified through the Gospel I preach in accordance with the prophetic scriptures but now brought into the open by God so the rest of the world can be saved.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: