CONCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS & FAREWELLS (16:1-24)

Introduction:

Last week we saw learned about Paul’s plans to see them in chapter 15, verses 14-33, where Paul once again, emphasizes his ministry to the Gentiles, and by so doing, challenges them in there unity and faithful prayer and support. This morning, we begin the final chapter of Romans, verses 1-24, in which we see Paul’s intimate greetings of the people of the church at Rome, and from the people who were with him. We see here the beauty of unity and teamwork when it comes to the work that the Lord has commissioned us to.

Text: Romans 16:1-24

Romans 16:1–24 ESV

1 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. 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. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. 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. 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.

A. COMMENDATION OF PHOEBE (1-2)

Probably the bearer of Paul’s letter. The name is common in Greek mythology and indicates a Gentile background.

1. A servant of the church in Cenchrea (1)

a servant - Paul’s word (Greek diakonos) is variously translated as “servant” (1 Tim. 4:6), or “deacon” (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8). It is uncertain whether Paul uses the term to refer to the specific church office of deacon, or describes Phoebe as a servant of the church in a more general sense.

Cenchreae. The port of Corinth on the Saronic Gulf, indicating Paul’s location when Romans was sent.

2. To receive her in a worthy manner, helping her along (2)

16:2 Paul calls upon the church to assist Phoebe since she has helped so many. Phoebe served as a patron, probably with financial assistance and hospitality.

B. MISCELLANEOUS GREETINGS FROM PAUL (3-16)

1. To Priscilla and Aquila (3-5a)

Prisca and Aquila - The couple were tentmakers like Paul (Acts 18:3). He was with them in Corinth. They had left Rome following the decree of Claudius and accompanied Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18). They taught Apollos (Acts 18:24–26) and later returned to Rome.

16:4 Perhaps Prisca and Aquila risked their lives when Paul was in danger in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41; 1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8–11).

16:5 the church in their house. See note on 1 Cor. 16:19. Apparently a house church met in the house of Prisca and Aquila. Asia here refers to a province in what is modern-day Turkey.

2. To various others (5b-16)

Epaenetus. Evidently the first of a harvest of converts in Asia.

16:6 Mary, who has worked hard for you. Paul recognizes the devoted service of women (v. 12).

16:7 Andronicus and Junia. Early commentators understood these to be a husband and wife. They were fellow Jews, and had been converted (“in Christ”) before Paul himself. They had apparently been in prison at some time with Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23) and had served with distinction as special envoys (“apostles”) of the churches. This use of “apostle” is broader than the strict sense of the Twelve plus Paul (see 2 Cor. 1:1 note).

16:8 Ampliatus. Probably a slave, whose name appears on a tomb in the Catacomb of Domitilla, niece of the Emperor Domitian.

16:9 Urbanus … Stachys. Common slave names, the former Roman, the latter Greek.

16:10 Apelles. A common Greek name, borne by one who had distinguished himself through trial and remained faithful (12:2).

Aristobulus. This may be the grandson of Herod the Great and friend of the Emperor Claudius.

16:11 Herodion. Perhaps a freedman of the household of Herod, since freedmen took the name of their patron.

Narcissus. Perhaps to be identified with Narcissus, the aide of Claudius, who was forced to commit suicide by Agrippina after Nero’s accession.

16:12 Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Two women with names from a common root (“gentle,” “delicate”) and therefore possibly sisters.

16:13 Rufus, chosen in the Lord. One of the most intriguing of the names listed in view of Mark 15:21, a gospel possibly written from Rome.

Mark 15:21 ESV

21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

“Chosen” may reflect the unique circumstances that brought his family into contact with Christ. Paul’s allusion to the mother as “his mother … to me as well” suggests deep affection for the family.

16:16 holy kiss. The kiss is a common token of greeting in the East. Here Paul urges the believers to sanctify their greetings as symbols of fellowship.

C. A FINAL WARNING (17-20)

Reflection on his knowledge of these believers, their problems in Rome (ch. 14), and the divisive activity of Satan (v. 20), evokes an urgent summons to guard their unity (Eph. 4:3).

1. Against those who selfishly cause divisions and offenses (17-18)

(17) They are to avoid those who cause divisions … contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught.

(18) Bluntly he indicates that their divisive spirit is sinful, a mark of life in the flesh, and a form of self-indulgence (Gal. 5:19, 20). Christians must learn not to be deceived by smooth talk and flattery.

2. To continue in obedience, for God will give them victory (19-20)

16:19 be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The Romans need spiritual wisdom and hearts without any alloy of evil.

16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Prior to the closing greetings and doxology, Paul includes a promise of a prophetic nature, rooted in the first biblical deliverance promise in Gen. 3:15. Satan is the source of all “evil” (v. 19; cf. Gen. 3:12; also see “Satan” at Job 1:6). The God of peace (wholeness and integrity as well as tranquillity) will act as the Divine Warrior to overcome him. This will take place “soon.” Paul may be speaking here of matters in the near future, or about the last things, which by faith is always seen as near at hand.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A characteristically Pauline ending (Gal. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:28).

D. GREETINGS FROM PAUL'S COMPANIONS (21-24)

1. From Timothy and others (21)

16:21 Along with Silas, Timothy was Paul’s closest coworker following the disagreement with Barnabas (Acts 15:36–40), and is mentioned in ten of Paul’s letters. Lucius (whom some identify with Luke), Jason (possibly Paul’s host in Thessalonica, Acts 17:5–9) and Sosipater (Acts 20:4) were possibly church delegates accompanying Paul to deliver the collection in Jerusalem.

2. From Tertius, Paul's "amanuensis" [personal scribe] (22)

6:22 I Tertius. Paul regularly used a secretary, identifying his letters as his own by a brief greeting written in his own handwriting (1 Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; Col. 4:18; 2 Thess. 3:17).

3. From brethren at Corinth (23-24)

16:23 Paul may have been residing with Gaius at the time of writing. He is presumably to be identified with the Gaius of 1 Cor. 1:14, and may be the (Gaius?) Titius Justus of Acts 18:7. An Erastus is mentioned in Acts 19:22 and 2 Tim. 4:20. We do not know whether this is the same man. Of greater interest is that a Christian held such a responsible post in the local government of Corinth. Of Quartus nothing is known.