Paul's Final Words
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we closed with verse 33 of chapter 15.
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
When you read this verse it sounds like the end of the letter. But like any good “preacher” Paul is not quite finished.
In our passage today, Paul is going to send greetings to various people in the church at Rome.
He is also going to send his readers greetings from some of those who are with him.
Finally, he has one more section to challenge his readers to live godly lives.
If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Romans chapter 16 and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
Personal Greetings to People in Rome
Personal Greetings to People in Rome
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 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.
Paul begins his final greeting by introducing and “commending” Phoebe to them. Phoebe’s name means bright or radiant.
First she is a “deacon” (Gk. servant or “deaconess.” It is debated whether διάκονος (diakonos) here refers to a specific office within the church or simply a person who serves others in the church).
She is involved in the church at Cenchrea. This was a small village seaport on the eastern side of the Isthmus of Corinth.
Paul encourages the church at Rome to give her any help that she might need!
He wants them to do this because she has been a great help to others,
And more importantly she has personally been a great help to him.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Paul’s second greeting—Priscilla and Aquila (they were tent makers who were supporters of Paul during his early ministry. Paul stayed with them from time-to-time).
Paul’s co-workers in Christ Jesus.
They had risked their lives for Paul.
All the churches are grateful to them.
All the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Paul adds a third greeting—He wants the reader to greet the church that meets in Priscilla and Aquila’s home (v. 5a).
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.
Next Paul asks the readers to greet Epenetus
One of Paul’s first converts in Asia (v. 5b).
Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
Next is Mary. All we really know is what is written here.
She now lived in Rome.
She worked very hard for the people to whom Paul is writing.
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.
Two more people are mentioned--Andronicus and Junia
They were fellow Jews (Gk, kinsmen).
They had been in prison with Paul.
They were seen as “outstanding among the apostles” or “well know by the apostles.”
And apparently, they came to faith in Christ before Paul did.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Ampliatus is listed as his dear friend in the Lord (v. 8).
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Urbanus is described as a co-worker in Christ (v. 9a).
Stachys is identified as a dear friend (v. 9b).
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Apelles is described as tested and approved in Christ (NIV84) (v. 10a)
Next they were to greet all who belonged to the household of Aristobulus—while this was a common name, there is a strong possibility that the Aristobulus mentioned here was most likely the grandson of Herod the Great and brother of Agrippa I. The mention of household would have included family members and servants (v. 10b).
Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Herodion is listed as a fellow Jew (Gk. kinsmen). This would have been more tribal than familial (v. 11a).
Another Greeting of a household--the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord which may indicate that the household was divided spiritually (v. 11b).
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.
Paul continues his greetings.
Tryphena (Gk. Dainty) and Tryphosa (Delicate) may have been sisters, but they are described as working hard in the Lord (v. 12a).
Then there is Persis another woman who worked very hard in the Lord (v. 12b).
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Next is Rufus who may have been the son of Simon of Cyrene (cf. Mk. 15:21), (v. 13a).
Paul also wants to make sure they great the mother of Rufus, because she had been like a mother to Paul (v. 13b).
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
Next we have four more names that we don’t recognize--Asycrintus, Plegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas (v. 14a).
And then Paul give his first of three inclusive statements--and the brothers and sisters with them (v. 14b).
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
Now there is Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and finally Olympas (v. 15a).
Then the second inclusive statement--and all the Lord’s people who are with them (v. 15b).
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
Then they are to greet one another with a holy kiss. This phrase is used by both Paul and Peter in other letters (cf. 1 Cor. 16:22; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thes. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14), (v. 16a).
Paul closes this section with a greeting from all the churches of Christ (v. 16b).
A Warning
A Warning
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.
Now Paul gives a warning.
Paul says he urges them (Gk. implore, exhort, encourage) to watch out (Gk. look out, notice, look at) those who:
—Cause divisions.
—Put obstacles (Gk. set traps) in your way.
—Obstacles, or traps that are contrary to the teachings you have learned (v. 17a).
Paul says Keep away from them! (cf. Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:11; 2 Thes. 3:6, 14; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 3:10; 2 Jn. 10), (v. 17b).
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.
These kinds of people are NOT serving our Lord Christ! (v. 18a)
Rather they are serving their own appetites (v. 18b).
How do they deceive:
—Smooth talk
—Flattery (v. 18c)
Who they deceive: naive people (v. 18d).
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.
Paul is sure that his readers don’t fit the category of naive people. So he encourages them with these words.
Everyone has heard about the church at Rome’s obedience (v. 19a)!
Paul rejoices because of the church at Rome (v. 19b).
Still, he wants them to be wise about what is good (v. 19c).
But he also wants them to be innocent (Gk. pure, unmixed, untouched) about evil (v. 19d).
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Paul encourages them by telling them, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (v. 20a).
Finally, he extends the grace of the Lord Jesus to them.
Paul’s Fellow Co-Workers Send Their Greetings
Paul’s Fellow Co-Workers Send Their Greetings
Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
When you come to verse 21, Paul gives some additional greetings to the Church at Rome.
Timothy--Paul’s co-worker sends his greetings (v. 21a).
Next there are greetings from Lucius. It could be Lucius of Cyrene is mentioned in Acts 13:1 as one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch, or some scholars suggest it might have been Dr. Luke who wrote the books of Luke and Acts (v. 21b).
Then there is Jason, who was mentioned in Acts 17:5. It was his house that Paul stayed in when he was Thessalonica (v. 21c).
Sosipater sent greetings. Some believe this is Sopater of Berea who went with Paul when he left for Greece in Acts 20:4 (v. 21d).
Because all of these mentioned here were Jews, Paul considered them his kinsmen (v. 21e).
I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Now the scribe--the one who wrote down the words for Paul sends his greetings. His name is Tertius (Gk. third)—sends his personal greeting (v. 22). There is a question about his status, whether he was a free man or a slave. Nevertheless, his name is “Third.”
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.
Gaius who extended hospitality to Paul in Acts 19:29, but not only to Paul but to the whole church at Corinth (v. 23a).
Next is Erastus who is also mentioned in Acts 19:22. Paul sent him with Timothy to Macedonia. Apparently he was now the city of Corinth’s director of public works (v. 23b).
Then Paul says our brother, a fellow Jew, Quartus also sent his greetings (v. 23c).
NOTE: If your version continues with verse 24, I have not included it here. Most older manuscripts do NOT include verse 24 so we will skip to verse 25. That “final blessing” will happen down in verse 27.
Paul’s Final Blessing
Paul’s Final Blessing
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,
Now to him who is able to establish (Gk. strengthen, support, make fast, make secure) you (v. 25a).
Jesus does this in us in accordance with Paul’s gospel (v. 25b).
It is the gospel he proclaimed about Jesus Christ (v. 25c).
And it is the same messages that was hidden in the past long ago (v. 25d).
Now the message has been revealed--made known--through Jesus (v. 25e)
These are the mysteries that were kept secret for long ages (v. 25f).
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.
This message has now been revealed (Gk. made known, made clear) (v. 26a).
The message was made known through the prophetic writings (v. 26b).
All of this was done by the command of the eternal God (v. 26c).
So that ALL the Gentiles might come to obedience (v. 26d).
Obedience that comes from faith (v. 26e).
to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Finally, Paul appeals to the only wise God—our God is the all wise God! (v. 27a)
Paul ascribes God glory forever (v. 27b.).
And the glory comes through Jesus Christ (v. 27c).
Amen--May it be so! (v. 27d).
So What?/d
So What?/d
We must NEVER forget that it is God who is able to establish us firmly in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We need to watch out for anyone who seeks to cause divisions within the church body.
We need to watch out for anyone who sets up obstacles that keep people from coming to Jesus Christ.
And we need to watch out for anyone who has teachings contrary to what you have learned—what Paul and the other apostles taught (cf. Gal. 1:8-9)
If Paul were here writing a letter to our church would he say that he had heard of our obedience? Would he have rejoiced because of us.
Are we wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil?
Finally do we really understand that Satan—the great deceiver, counterfeiter, liar—will soon be crushed under our feet? If we believe this we should have nothing to fear from him!
This morning, I want to challenge us to live our lives in obedience to Jesus no matter what it seems to cost us.
I want to challenge us to be wise about what is good—we need to recognize it and proclaim it regardless of what others say.
And I want to challenge us to be innocent about evil—pure or free from evil!