Romans 16

Introduction

Dismiss Kids

Invocation Prayer

God of goodness and grace, we long for your presence, for the peace your promises bring, and for the assurances we have received through the gift of your Son. May we, your people, this day and every day, have open eyes to see and open ears to hear your presence among us. Open us to your Holy Spirit, Lord. Amen.

Presence Candle

Speaking of our Lord’s presence. I want to direct your attention the the candle to my right, your left. This is what we call the Presence candle. Funny enough we have used and explained this at our last two Men’s retreats but never have mentioned it from the pulpit. Since next week is Advent, and we will replace this candle stand with our advent candle stand I wanted to make sure we took a moment to explain it.

What this candle isn’t…it is not God himself or the Spirit etc, if the flame goes out we are not being judged. What it is is a physical symbol, something tangible and real that reminds us that when we gather as the people of God to worship we are not alone.

God’s very presence via his Holy Spirit is here right now, in this room, and in us the Church. This candle is to remind you of that reality. When you start to space out because my teaching is getting boring or your thoughts start to drift towards that drama that your going through look back to the candle and remind yourself that Christ is with you.

That is what the presence candle is. Now you, and knowing is half the battle.

Review of Romans at the end of my sermon

Normally we would preach the last chapter or last teaching of a series and then the following week we would review the entire book or series one last time. Well, next Sunday, like I said earlier, is the First Sunday of Advent…so we don’t have a review week. This morning I will review the entire book of Romans…so settle in…Just kidding, I will review it, but it will be via an 4 paragraph summary by Dr. Michael Bird which I will read at the end of my sermon.

Explain where we are at

We will finish our study of the letter to the Romans from the Apostle, our brother in Christ, Paul. We actually finished the entire book in 30 teachings. We began on Sunday February 28th, 2022 and are finishing around 9 months later…less than a year! If you remember the first teaching Kenner mentioned the famous preacher Martin Lloyd Jones took 372 sermons and over 12 years to get to chapter 14…I think 30 is a fine number.

Last week Kenner finished up chapter 15 in which we learned lessons from Paul’s ministry.

Remember that Paul’s ministry taught us to Recognize our purpose. Instead of asking the question; “God, what is your will for my life?” we were encouraged to use the more helpful question of “What is YOUR purpose on earth Lord, and how can I be a part of it?” Again, recognizing our purpose in God’s mission.

We saw how Paul Rested in God’s Providence, both in recognizing that ministry is not about us, but of the work of God himself and that God’s providence guided his journey. Paul had dreams that he was never able to realize, but that didn't’ stop him from doing the work that the Lord had set before him. Paul call’s us to rest in God’s providence through all life’s hilltops and valleys.

Thirdly, we heard how Paul Remained persistent. Paul wrote this letter to the Roman church in 57 AD but doesn't make it to Rome until around 60 AD. Ministry takes time, and it happens in the sacred mundane, every day life. When things get difficult or frankly, boring, we need to remind ourselves “to not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” Remain persistent and we will see a harvest.

And finally Kenner pointed out how Paul Relied on prayer. Paul saw prayer as a group effort together for the progress of the kingdom. Everything in Paul’s ministry and in the ministry of those working with him relied on prayer, from protection to persistence, it was all through prayer.

Introduction to the text

These lessons in Chapter 15 lead us into this morning’s text.

If you haven’t already please turn in your bibles to chapter 16 of the letter to the Romans…if you don’t have a bible and would like one we do have free bibles over at the welcome booth. They are the teal colored books over there.

Now…this is one of those sections in scripture that we may be tempted to pass over quickly. Much like the genealogy in Matthew or some of the Old Testament the first part of this chapter seems to be just a bunch of greetings and thank you’s to some random people we don’t know. We have this entire letter of robust and deep theology and Paul seems to end it here with a bunch of shout outs to his homies. But, I know that good bible students like yourselves know better. There is Gold here. An Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom says this about Romans 16

- Slide -

I think there are many, even some apparently good commentators, who hurry over this part of the epistle because they think it is superfluous and of little importance. They probably think much the same about the genealogies in the Gospels. Because it is a catalog of names, they think they can get nothing good out of it. People who mine gold are careful even about the smallest fragments, but these commentators ignore even huge bars of gold! Homilies on Romans - John Chrysostom 347-407 AD

I’ve really learned to love this chapter, especially this list of hard to pronounce names, because of what Paul, by the Spirit, is showing us when it comes to working with others in the mission of God and the importance of biblical community.

Paul the Apostle, called by God, takes time, effort, ink and parchment to show his appreciation for his co-laborers in ministry. He does this for a couple reasons; one, because it is good and right to give credit where credit is due. The people in this list have been instrumental to his ministry up to this point, and Paul wanted to remind them that he does not take them for granted. And two, he was hopeful that they would help him in the next phase of ministry, as Kenner pointed out, making the church in Rome his new home base for reaching Spain.

For us we should also see that Paul is elevating the ministry of encouragement in this passage. Both by him encouraging these ministry partners, but also by recognizing how encouraging they have been to him. We should all be in this ministry, the ministry of encouragement, let us, with God’s help be better at this. Amen?

Not only do we see Paul take time to honor and show affection to these hospitable and commendable church members but as we’ll see later in the chapter one last imparting of wisdom to the faithful in Rome. One last bit of Spirit filled truth to protect the Family of God from division and strife. A call to do ministry together, strengthened by the gospel, and put away petty distractions and squabbles and instead focusing on the mission of God…together.

All of this leads Paul at the end of this letter to break out in praise to the only wise God.

This, brother’s and sister’s, is not a trivial passage.

Main Points

Here are the two main points I want to make sure you hear this morning in this sermon. Which is why I am putting them right up front.

The Family of God is a diverse group made of of ordinary people united in God’s Mission 16:1-24

The Family of God is strengthened by the gospel and works together for the glory of God 16:25-27

God willing, I will be able to show you how these two truths come up over and over in this chapter.

16:1-2

English Standard Version Chapter 16

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant 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.

Phoebe

Who was She?

Corinthian Deacon

There is no masculine or feminine version of the greek word for servant. It is the word we get the word Deacon from though.

She is a servant of the church in Cenchreae, which was a port city in Corinth.

She is probably a merchant, a wealthy one at that.

Pauline Patron

Most likely was financially independent and used her wealth to forward the progress of the Kingdom, specifically in providing for Paul’s ministry, but of as Paul says “many.”

Paul tells the Roman church that they should welcome her in the Lord and take care of whatever needs she might have, like lodging and provisions.

To sum up, Dr. Bird says that Phoebe

She was a household leader, financially independent, perhaps socially prominent, actively serving the corinthian churches, and she is the one (not Timothy, Titus, or Tertius) whom Paul entrusts this important letter to be delivered to the Roman believers. There is much we can try to infer from this about Paul and women… Romans - Bird 521

The Letter-bearer would normally be the one to read it out to the recipients and explain its contents. The first expositor of Paul’s greatest letter was an ordained traveling businesswoman.” - N.T. Wright

16:3-15

English Standard Version Chapter 16

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 convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, 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 brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Paul thanks his ministry partners

What follows now is a Paul giving his regards to many ministry partners, some he knows in person, some he’s heard of through other relations. What I want us to focus on this morning is the true diversity of this group of people. We’re going to hear of married couples, single people, Mothers and sons, hole households serving together, slave names and freed names, rich and poor, greek, jew, and roman, men and women...just a side note 10 out of the 28 people mentioned are women.

Let’s take a brief look at those wonderful people.

Diversity of ministry partners (brief descriptions)

Priscilla and Aquila

A husband and wife team from Pontus, they were probably tentmakers like Paul. They first meant Paul in Corinth after the explosions of the Jews from Rome around AD 49.

They accompanied Paul to ephesus, it was during that time they ment an Alexandrian Jew named Apollos, a new convert to the Christian faith, and they both instructed him in the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26 “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.”

The returned to Rome in AD 54, and then went back tor Ephesus where Timothy was working when Paul was imprisoned in Rome.

Paul describes the couple as “coworkers” - synergos- in verse 3. Fellow workers involved in evangelical work and church planting and they “laid down their necks” or “risked their necks for my life”, another way of saying they risked execution working with Paul.

This couple is very dear to Paul, and they had been through a lot together. All the churches had much to give thanks to this couple for. And they would be the foundation of Paul’s work in Rome

Epaenetus

We don’t know much about Epenetus, but we do know that he was the first conversion to Christ in Asia. the word heart literally means firstfruits.

Mary

A greeting to Mary is given, a very popular Jewish name at the time, and Paul points out that she has worked very hard for the Roman church

Andronicus and Junia

This next couple is where the fun begins for you bible scholars. For in the middle ages, around the 13th century some scribes opted to accent the name Junia, which is basically gender neutral…like the name Kelly for instance, to Junias…which would be the masculine form. The problem here is that there are 250 examples of the feminine version “Junia” in greek and latin inscriptions from Rome alone…and not a single instance of Junias has been found. Due to the, as Dr. Bird and many others have stated, “tsunami” of textual and patristic (church fathers, many of which speak about the woman Junia in this passage) evidence for Junia proves overwhelming.” Just a fun free bee there

These two are important and dear to Paul for several ways

Kinsmen - Possibly blood related to Paul, definitely both Jewish.

Fellow Prisoners - they were in prison with Paul at some point, we don’t know exactly the circumstances, but this would definitely bring them together.

They are well known to the apostles

The couple is well-known for their apostolic ministry, in that they were engaged in evangelism and church planting as itinerants. Their work had born great fruit.

lower case a, apostles, not called and commissioned by the Risen Lord but apostles in the sense of delegates sent out from a church.

Much like Titus was an “apostle” of the Asian churches (2 Cor 8: “As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker for you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.” Same concept here

in Christ before I was points to their conversion being before Paul’s. Probably part of the greek-speaking wing of the Jerusalem church in its earliest days (Acts 6:1 ) So we have from the very early days of the church a woman, Junia, participating in ministry and spreading the gospel, and Paul gives great praise to her and Andronicus.

I’ll leave this couple with the words of John Chrysostom, who wrote about Junia, “Oh how great is the devotion of this woman that she should be counted worthy of the appellation of Apostle!”

Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, and Apelles

These are dear friends or co-workers

That Apelles is approved in Christ, probably means he went through some sort of testing. Paul didn’t know him directly.

Household of Aristobulus

Here we have a household greeted

Most likely a prominent Jewish household in Rome.

Herodion

a fellow Jew

Perhaps a freedman, so a former slave.

Household of Narcissus

Really thought a lot of themselves ;)

“Interesting because Narcissus is the name of a famous mid-first-century Roman freedman who came to prominence under Claudius, until he was forced into suicide after Claudius’s (the emperor) death by jealous rivals. If this is the same Narcissus, as many believe, then Christians in his household would have been in a rather delicate position” Wright, romans, 10:763

Cohort of women - Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis

known for their hard work and dedication for the Lord

Rufus and his mother

Gives special attention to his mother, even calling her his own mother. A very special family to Paul

Two distinct households

Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the other brothers and sisters with them

Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas…and all the saints with them

Dr. Michael Bird makes a comment on the greeting of these two households saying, “One feels that Paul is going through his mental rolodex and trying to greet as many people in Rome as he can humanly remember. In any case, the greetings show that fellowship and reciprocation is rooted in a common conception of the gospel”

This is a lot of friends and fellow servants to greet and he does so because he cares for them deeply. You have a diverse group of people here from lots of different backgrounds united in Christ and working together for the purpose of God’s mission. There are some prominent people in this list, but the majority are ordinary, every day people.

16:16

English Standard Version Chapter 16

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Kissing Christians

Equalizing and uniting through greeting

The Message translation paraphrases this as “holy embraces all around” or JB Phillips says “give each other a hearty handshake all around” The point is to be excited to see each other.

In a network of churches, including both the indigenous and immigrant varieties, where there are ethnic boundaries, disputed matters, and long-held suspicious, Paul calls these vulnerable churches to renew the bonds of affection for each other, by sharing a holy gospel and a holy kiss. Bird Romans 529

Liturgical significance

One author states...

By the time of Justin Martyr in the mid-second century, the holy kiss was part of the liturgy: “at the conclusion of the prayers we greet one another with a kiss. Then, bread and a chalice containing wine mixed with water are presented [for a eucharistic meal].” Chrysostom acclaims the practices because “the kiss mollifies and equalizes everyone, banishing grievances and jealousy. Paul not only directs them to kiss one another in this way be he also sends them the kiss of greeting from all churches” Christian affection is meant to be demonstrative and wholesome.”

16:17-20a

English Standard Version Chapter 16

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, 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.

After the affection the Holy kiss Paul is reminded about something he wants to remind the Roman church. Perhaps thinking of the unity that the previous greeting brings about, the idea of what could bring division and harm to the community came to mind. This section reminds me of my Grandfather. Near the end of his life I would often go over to his house to help with yard work and various other chores. Inevitably I would finish what he asked quickly and be about to leave and he would say his famous phrase “Oh, one more thing”…one more thing often led to 3-10 more things…it’s become a fond inside joke for my family.

Warning against divisive people v 17 - 18

these people seek to divide for their own appetites, their own desires

Encouraging their obedience v 19

Word of their obedience has gotten around, and Paul rejoices with them, but reminds them they are to be wise, and recognize good and evil. This calls to mind the words of our Lord in Matthew 10:16 ““Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.”

Reminds them not to get lost in local drama, but remember the spiritual battle going around them v-20a

There is a spiritual battle going on all around them, don’t get caught up in all the local drama…remember that the God of Peace will soon crush Satan under their feet. There is something bigger going on, be aware of that. Often we can get caught up in petty squabbles as brothers in Christ, reminding ourselves that we share in a common enemy and battle will do a lot to give us proper perspective.

The Message paraphrase version of the text was really helpful for me, so I wanted to read it to you as well.

17-18 One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.

16:20b - 23

English Standard Version Chapter 16

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.

Grace & More Greetings

Begins and Ends with Grace

Romans 1:7 “To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 16 20 “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said “It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brothers and sisters. All this is made possible through Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners”

Ultimately this letter is written to a community of Christians, one in which, like ours, will need grace to live in community together. Paul bookends his letter with the Grace of the Jesus Christ because of this.

2. Benediction

a. This is a benediction, or blessing, that Paul is bestowing on the Roman church.

b. Have you ever asked yourself why we do a benediction at the end of every service? It is always the last thing we do in our worship service. It is not just a fancy prayer, or a nice collection of words, but actually is a declaring of God’s reality over your lives and then sending you back into the world with this new reality framing your experience. Paul is declaring the reality that the grace of our Lord Jesus will be with the Roman Christians. Let that sink in for a moment. After this sermon, we will sing a song of praise, and then our brother in Christ Billy will come and say a blessing over us and send us back into the world. Today, really listen to the words. Take in the Truth of God that Billy declares over your life and really receive it. The world is a hard place, and we are constantly being barraged with the lies of the world and the enemy of our soul the devil. We need God’s truth to be declared over us if we are going to stand a chance…so, don’t start thinking about your fantasy football team or what’s for lunch when that benediction is spoken…really take it in, I urge you…as Paul would say to really take it seriously.

Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater send greetings

Again further connecting the various churches of Asia and the workers their with Rome.

Tertius,

Slave or Freedman

Educated

Unsung hero of the book of Romans putting up with all of Paul’s rabbit trails

Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus

Prominent persons in the Corinthian churches

Paul baptised Gaius (1 Cor 1:14 “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,” )

Erastus was in charge of public constructions and the city’s finances at one point

And we don’t know much about Quartus…but any of you mother’s with new babies coming…I think Quartus is an awesome name.

Connects the churches with greetings from Corinthian churches

To share in each other’s struggles and pray for each other

Clement of Rome would write to the Corinthians around AD 95 to try and heal a painful division in the corinthian churches. It becomes full circle, Paul writes from to Rome from Corinth to heal divisions and eventually Clement does the same for Corinth from Rome.

16:25-27

English Standard Version Chapter 16

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.

Doctrine leads to Doxology

Doxology & Gospel

Doxology - praise to God.

“It reprises and amplifies the earlier doxology in Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” It celebrates God’s glory as the climax to the redemptive history embodied in gospel.

The story of Romans is then a microcosm of the biblical story since Paul takes us from glory lost to glory regained. Viewed this way, the doxology represents a virtual hermeneutical key for reading Romans, summing up the themes of God, glory, Messiah, and revelation. Bird citing Keck, Romans, 384

The point here is that Paul’s gospel is the source of strengthening. This gospel strengthens the Roman believers and it strengthens us today.

The gospel is not a system of ethics, a cultural program, or a spiritual mantra. The gospel is the proclamation of news about the death, resurrection, (and ascension) of the Messiah and God’s reconciliation of the world through him.

Mystery

In the Roman church we have Jew and gentile living in community together, and being in contact with other gentile churches and an Jewish Apostle. This is strange, no?

They mystery that is now revealed, is that God always intended to bring Gentiles into the people of God and their membership, the proof that this is true, would be precisely because of their obedience.

Eph 3:3-9 “The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.”

Col 1:26-27 “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The mystery revealed is why 99% of us are in this room today. Praise God.

The Only Wise God

Gentiles and Jews together was going to be messy, but God is wise and through his Son Jesus Christ this new family is possible.

This leads Paul to shout glory to God!

The reality of the Gospel should lead us all to praise.

If it is just knowledge, or right doctrine…and it doesn’t lead us to awe and praise…we’re not reading this right.

Let’s look at our two main points again before we Review the whole book of Romans for the next hour…just kidding!

The Family of God is a diverse group made of of ordinary people united in God’s Mission 16:1-24

We saw this didn’t we? A diverse bunch of ordinary people servicing God, working hard, and caring for each other. Men & women, Jew & gentile, Rich & Poor, Free & Slave, Young & Old. All united in God’s Mission.

The Family of God is strengthened by the gospel and works together for the glory of God 16:25-27

The gospel, the reality of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us, strengthens our resolved to stay commited to the work of the Kingdom. It is the fuel that we can never replace or run out of.

This reality should then lead us to recognize the glory of God in praise and adoration. Amen?

This chapter was not just a list of names, was it?

Review of Romans

Invite band back up

2. Bird’s Roman’s Summary - “Living Romans”

The ideal reader of Romans will be attentive both to the several significant theological themes in Romans as well as various applications that emerge from a close reading of the letter. Such a reader will be one who believes in Jesus as the source of righteousness, does not entrust their salvation and identity to works of the law, is conscious of belonging to the Abrahamic family of faith, enjoys peace with God, has a steadfast hope for glory, remembers and reflects on their baptism, strives to put sin to death while living to righteousness, celebrates the death of the old self, is led by the Spirit and not the flesh, confesses Jesus as Lord, prays for Israel's salvation, shuns evil by clinging to love, pursues the things that make for peace, and is eager to greet fellow believers.

In other words, living Romans means transforming our theology and altering our practices to fit with Paul's gospel agenda for the churches to come to the obedience of faith. A faith of which the most visible signs are our mutual love for others and a continued commitment to gospel mission as we corporately continue to praise God the Father and glory in Jesus Christ.

Dear Christian, these are all things we learned going through the letter to the Romans. Take hold of this truth and don’t move on to quickly. Next Sunday we will begin the season of Advent, where we eagerly await the celebration of the incarnation, the taking on of humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is exciting, but maybe spend one more week reading through this letter and reflecting on what the Spirit has shown you through the Word.

Concluding Prayer

If you are able, please stand and join me in prayer.

Almighty and loving God, we bless you for the gift of your Word. We pray now for the grace to believe in what we have heard, and to live in ways that honor you above all. Now we ask that you open our mouths and hearts with praise and thanksgiving to the you, the only wise God who brings ordinary people from all nations together. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen