Some Final Thoughts

Today we close our study on the book of Romans.

It has been a great study for me.

I have really enjoyed diving in and learning from it.

I hope you have been challenged as I have.

In Chapter 16, Paul begins to close his letter.

HE begins by giving his validation of the woman who would deliver and see that it was read in the all the churches in Rome.

He then begins to greet a number of people specifically by name who are in Rome.

Paul has never been to churches in Rome, but these people from these churches have met him along their journeys.

So as we begin this final chapter, let’s look at:

I. Words of Commendation

Here we see a list of around 30 people, or groups of people who Paul has known, who now He is greeting.

But first he starts by introducing the one who is bringing the letter to them and causing the churches to read this letter.

Phebe - sister in christ and a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

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

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.

Most likely a convert from a heathen religion since her name is one of the names of the goddess Diana.

She worked with the church in Cenchrea which is a seaport of Corinth.

Paul wanted her to be welcomed and befriended in the Lord.

This should always be the case when someone comes carrying the Word of God.

Priscilla and Aquila - my helpers in Christ Jesus

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

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.

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house...

This is a hospitable couple who have opened their home even at the risk of death.

They were companions of Paul at times.

They were residents of Rome that were banished from Rome by Claudius, and they moved to Corinth.

This is where Paul met them.

they travelled with Paul to Ephesus where they settled.

They seem to have now settled back at Rome and had a church meeting in their home there.

They were the couple who received a young preacher, Apollos, into their home and helped him and taught him in the faith.

They have aptly been described as Paul’s helpers.

Epaenetus - well beloved

5b Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

He is described as being the firstfruits of Achaia.

As such He was probably a member of the household of Stephanas as mentioned by the same description in 1 Cor 16.15

1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

These were pagan societies and as such it took great courage to be a convert to Christ.

It often mean giving up everything to follow.

Mary - worked hard to help Paul

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

Mary was a member of the Roman Church.

And yet she had ministered to Paul and his fellow workers someplace else.

To the point that she has bestowed much labour on them.

We don’t know what work she did for them, but it was noteworthy enough to mention in her greeting.

Andronicus and Junia

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

These were two early converts who were imprisoned at some point with Paul.

Perhaps husband and wife, but they were some sort of relative to Paul.

he says they are his kinsmen, but doesn’t say the same thing about others that are Jews.

So it is believed they are among a few in this list that are somehow related to the Apostle Paul.

They were also highly esteemed by the apostles.

Amplias

8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

This believer is simply known as being Paul’s beloved (close friend) in the Lord.

Urbanus

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ...

He was a helper or fellow worker in the ministry.

HE worked alongside Paul at some point.

He must have been a great help as being called out as such here.

He is now faithful in one of the churches in Rome.

Still faithful.

Stachys

9b..and Stachys my beloved.

Again one mentioned as Paul’s beloved, a dear friend to Paul.

Apelles

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ.

This believer has somehow been tested and approved as faithful.

Appelles must have gone through some suffering and has already proven his loyalty to Paul and Christ.

Household of Aristobulus

10b Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.

The believers being greeted here is a group of people believed to be slaves.

Aritobulus himself is the grandson of Herod the Great.

So this could be in reference to his slaves who accepted Christ.

Herodion

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman.

a man that was another relative of Paul who was a believer there in Rome.

Household of Narcissus

11b Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

He speaks specifically of those who were slaves in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

Those slaves who were saved.

It is quite possible that this Narcissus was the wealthy secretary to the Emperor Claudius.

He would have been quite wealthy.

These believers were enslaved to this man, but yet they were in Christ, and truly bondservants of Christ, and brothers and sisters of Paul.

No doubt they must have had challenges in such a household.

Tryphena and Tryphosa

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord.

These two ladies laboured much and worked hard in the Lord.

The name Tryphena means dainty and the name Tryphosa means delicate.

This word here translated speaks to working to exhaustion.

These two dainty and delicate ladies were working hard for the Lord.

Persis

12b Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

a beloved believer, a lady who worked hard in the Lord.

She was beloved which speaks as much about her love that she showed as it does about the love she received.

She diligently worked for the Lord.

Rufus and His Mother

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

Rufus is said to be chosen in the Lord, the emphasis is not chosen by the Lord, but rather a tender, precious and warm description of Rufus.

Rufus very possibly well known in among the believers and apostles as he is said to be the son of the Simon the man who carried Jesus’ cross.

Mark 15:21 KJV

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

We can just imagine the family of Simon watching their husband and father carry the cross of Jesus up the hill of Calvary.

Imagine the impact that crucifixion would have on their lives.

Rufus’ mother is described as his mother and Paul’s

Not to be taken literally, but that on most likely several occasions she had cared for Paul just like a mother would.

After this Paul begins to list two groups of Christians.

Most likely two churches or congregations, calling out the names of those he knew were together in that church.

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

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

After these words of greeting and commendation, Paul tells them some final

II. Words of Caution

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

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.

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.

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

Note a few points that he makes

A. Avoid Divisive People

We need to avoid people who cause division and become stumbling blocks.

A divisive person is a person who

grumbles and complains

criticizes and murmurs

gossips

causes strife and arguments

Is unloving

teaches a contrary doctrine.

They divide - they cause the church to be separated.

We need to avoid them, don’t fellowship and grow close to them.

Love them and speak the truth in love.

But if we are not careful we will become like them if we don’t avoid them.

So if we are avoiding the divisive and one that cause offences and stumbling blocks, then we need to be sure to...

B. Cling to Good

Paul contrasts those who are divisive with those who are doing right in the churches at Rome.

to do this we need to be:

Obedient to the Lord

Be Wise about Good

Be Simple about Evil

We are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

Titus 2:12–13 KJV

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Then we can trust God to Handle the Others.

God will soon enough give us victory over Satan

We just need to stay faithful, and live in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Now Paul has finished a few words of Commendation, then given a few final words of Caution, he now gives a few

III. Words from Companions

We see four Men who are travelling companions with Paul who are also desiring to greet the churches in Rome.

Timothy or Timotheus

21 Timotheus my workfellow

Paul’s workfellow

There is much information on Timothy throughout the New Testament, including two letters from Paul to Timothy.

Timothy’s name means one who honors God.

Both his mother and grandmother were faithful believers who taught him the Scriptures.

Half gentile, his Jewish mother gave him a name, no doubt in hope and prayer that Christ would take her child and use him to bring honor to God’s name.

What a great example of a mother’s influence on their children.

Timothy is called Paul’s workfellow, or fellow worker.

Paul places him equal with himself.

Timothy was faithful helping Paul fulfil God’s plan for him.

And now he is greeting the church.

Lucius, Jason and Sosipater

21b ...and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

Paul had some relatives travelling with them.

The word kinsmen can mean fellow countrymen, but again, as he mentions only a few as kinsmen in all these names, many also being Jews, it is more likely they are relatives.

But these relatives had trusted Christ as their Savior and was now with Paul in the work of the Lord.

Oh how important it is that we stay faithful and have a good testimony around our family!

You never know, but God may use you to reach your extended family and kinsmen.

Matthew 5:16 KJV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

But these faithful men were serving along side Paul.

Some of them we know were mistreated by the same ones that mistreated Paul.

Acts 17:5–7 KJV

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

Acts 17:9 KJV

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Tertius

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

He was not a preacher, but served as a personal secretary of Paul, who many believe had very poor eyesight and couldn’t right a letter of this length.

Paul wrote out as Paul dictated this letter to the churches in Rome.

It’s amazing how God sends just the right people into a fellowship who have gifts that are needed at the times we need them.

I remember in California our pastor talking about through the years people came and left…not usually over bad things…but they moved on to help another church.

But God brought them at times that they needed to accomplish something.

Like rebuilding the church after a fire, or another contractor came just as they were ready to build the fellowship hall.

The service that Tertius provided was sent by God.

Gaius

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. ...

This believer was a man of hospitality, most likely a wealthy man with a home large enough to entertain the travelling servants of God for a long period of time.

He was faithful and used his money, wealth and estate for the Lord.

But also must have had a large enough home to host the church for worship as well.

Erastus

23 Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you...

Erastus was a believer who was a civil servant, the chamberlain of the city.

This is one who manages the affairs and oversees the work of the city.

This tells us that he was a man highly respected among both the believers and the world.

It tells us that he was responsible.

It tells us he was a man of courage because he was a known Christian while still in political office.

This man was eventually called to preach the gospel and either resigned or was removed from political office.

He is seen on a mission tour with Timothy in

Acts 19:22 KJV

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

and is mentioned as still being faithful in latter days of Paul’s life.

2 Timothy 4:20 KJV

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Quartus

23c and Quartus a brother.

This brother also sends his greeting to the churches in Rome as a brother in Christ.

All of these fellow workers prayer is that

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

Paul has given a few words of Commendation and greeting,

He then gave a few final words of Caution

Then He gave a few words of greeting from his Companions.

Now in the last few verses he speaks a few

IV. Words of Confidence

Paul spoke with confidence that God would help these churches that he desired to help.

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,

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:

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

His confidence was in the fact that God was able to establish the believers.

Establish means to strengthen, secure, make stable.

Paul desired that they be established by:

A. The Gospel

He has confidence that God will stablish them according to “my gospel”.

It wasn’t another gospel separate from THE gospel, he simply means the gospel that he is called to preach.

Paul as an ambassador of the God, to spread the gospel knows that the gospel establishes and strengthens the believer as they hear the truth over and over.

B. The Preaching of Christ

Believers are made strong by the proclamation or preachign of Jesus Christ.

This is why in our churches the preaching ought to remain the focus of the service.

All parts to the service ought to lead to, not detract from the Preaching of Christ.

C. The Revelation of the Mystery

25c ...according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

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 mystery of the gospel, the good news, was a secret since the world began.

There have been hints and prophesies that pointed to Christ, but just how God would reconcile man to Himself was truly a mystery that now has been revealed…and Paul has proclaimed.

The truth was not previously known,

The truth could not have been discovered by human reason alone, it took the revelation of God.

Man would never have been able to know the gospel, had God not made it manifest by the scriptures of the prophets by the command of God.

God wants the world to know the gospel, so He has commanded that it be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

It is proclaimed by the revelation of Scripture.

Paul now gives a word of praise to God here in verse 27 to the God to whom he is confident will stablish them.

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

The God of the gospel…the one to whom it is about, the revealer of the gospel…is the only wise God.

Now he declares all glory be given to God through Jesus Christ.

This praise is offered through Christ, our only way to the Father.

John 14:6 KJV

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 KJV

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Conclusion

As Paul closes out this book He praises God through Jesus Christ for this message.

The message that we are sinners, but that God has provided an escape from our eternal separation from him.

He has reconciled us unto himself.

We are now Justified, declared righteous by His work on the cross.

But we must live in holiness and grow in sanctification.

We no longer need to follow after the law, we are free from the law to pursue holiness out of love for our God and in obedience and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

He has given us practical teaching that shows how we are to relate to the world around us.

Now we must live it.

Next week my Dad, Jimmie Wallace will begin to preach on Sunday Nights for a while.

I hope you will be faithful, as I know what God has laid on his heart, will be a blessing and a help to you!