Romans 16:1-27

Now after 15 chapters, we finally reach the end of Paul’s letter to the Roman church. After expressing his travel desires and plans in chapter 15, he will, in 16, greet many believers whom Paul knows (or knows of) in the Roman church. He will give a final warning to the church against divisive people, send greetings from those he is with, and conclude with a great doxology glorifying the Lord.

Verses 1-2

These two verses have caused much controversy for the church, truth be told. Namely due to the word “servant” or diakonos. The issue with this word is that it could mean a few different words:

Servant

Courier

Deacon/Deaconess

Minister

The Problem With Verse 1

Why is that an issue? Because Phoebe is a woman. There are many who take this at face to say Phoebe was a woman pastor, therefore women can be pastors. This, however, directly contradicts Paul’s instructions in a couple different places:

1 Timothy 2:12–15 LEB

But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was deceived, came into transgression. But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

1 Corinthians 14:33–36 LEB

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only?

Is Paul contradicting himself in stating that Phoebe is a minister? I think not. When interpreting the bible, we must do so with the bible. Therefore, instead of disregarding Paul’s instructions to Timothy, a young pastor, and the Corinthian church, we must consider them when interpreting Romans 6:1-2.

So, Phoebe was not a minister, else Paul would be contradicting himself. What, then, does Paul mean? Perhaps he is just referring to an effective servant of Christ? There is a clue in the text that would also disagree with this. Paul refers to Phoebe as a “servant of the church in Cenchreae.” It is possible that she is just a member of this church, but the fact that Paul indicates what church she is in leads some to say that she was in some sort of “position” within that church, rather than just a member.

This leans, then, toward her being a deaconess in this church. However, we must consider what Paul says elsewhere:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 3

8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Reading this at face value may lead you to say “Paul does specify that deacon are men because he refers to their wives.” However, the word for “wives” (yuva) is used more often than not to refer to “women” rather than “wives.” Not only this, but right before verses 8-13, Paul gives the qualifications for overseers (aka pastors). There is something missing from verses 1-7 on pastors: instructions for their wives.

If deacons’ wives are given qualifications as well, shouldn’t pastors’ wives too? This leads me to believe that women can be deacons in the church.

Just for clarification, a deacon is just a servant in the church over a specific area or thing (example: technology deacon). They are not leading the church; they are not preaching or teaching (unless asked). They simply serve.

All of this to say, I hold that Phoebe is a respected deaconess in the church of Cenchreae.

So, What About Phoebe?

Why is she the first person Paul mentions in all these people he does? Why does she get her own two verses when many others are grouped together?

It is likely that Phoebe was the deliverer of the letter to the Roman church. Cenchreae was kind of close to Rome, so this makes even more sense that she was the deliverer of the letter. The Roman church is given two instructions regarding Phoebe:

Welcome her in a manner worthy of the saints

Assist her in whatever matter she may require your help

Paul instructed the Romans to greet her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints because she is a saint! She should be welcomed with joy by this Roman church.

When Paul says to “assist” her, this could be referring to any work she may be doing in Rome, but it likely was referring to her next travels. This could also be referring to financial help.

Overall, Paul describes this servant as a benefactor of many, including Paul. She is instrumental in her aid to the church, willing to travel, seemingly alone, some 700 miles to deliver a letter to another church. This displays a true servant’s heart.

Verses 3-4

Paul will now refer to people who are in Rome whom he wants to greet. First is a legendary couple: Prisca and Aquila.

Who Are They?

This couple is seen in Acts 18. Paul met them in Corinth after they, being Jews, were ordered to leave Rome by Emperor Claudius. It turned out that Paul and Prisca and Aquila were all of the same trade: tent makers. And so, Paul got along with them, and stuck with them, for some time as he did missions in Corinth.

After some time there, Paul left to Syria accompanied by this couple. It seems that they were already saved or got saved when they met Paul and then joined his mission. They would even be there for an eloquent believer Apollos who was teaching, but lacked certain knowledge. They bolstered Apollos by “explain[ing] the way of God to him more accurately.”

How Does Paul Describe Them?

Paul says this couple are his “coworkers in Christ Jesus.” He says they risked their own lives for Paul, even. This emphasizes their place in Paul’s life and mission. Not only Paul, though, but in ALL the Gentile churches. This married couple did great work for the kingdom of God!

Verses 5-7

Now we see a few different people with less and less information.

Epaenetus

Paul describes this man as “the first convert to Christ from Asia”

Mary

She was a hard worker for the church in Rome.

Adronicus and Junia

Both Jews, but also “fellow” prisoners. Meaning that they had also been imprisoned for the Gospel.

They get another sentence from Paul as he explains they are noteworthy in the eyes of the Apostles and that they were believers before Paul was. See Paul’s humility in mentioning that.

Verses 8-16

This part has the shortest descriptions, and therefore will be bunched up together.

Urbanus

a coworker in Christ with Paul

Stachys

a dear friend of Paul’s

Apelles

Strangely, Paul describes him as “approved” in Christ.

The Household of Aristobulus

This is not just one, but a whole family!

Herodion

A Jew like Paul

The Household of Narcissus

Another family, but this one he specifies are “in the Lord.” This may mean that not all of Aristobulus’s household are believers.

Trphaena and Tryphosa

They worked very hard in the Lord

Persis

Also a dear friend and also worked very hard.

Rufus and his mother

He is “chosen in the Lord.” Paul then refers to his mother as his own mother. This points to a deep relationship Paul had with Rufus’s family.

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

This is a band of people whom Paul gives us no information on.

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

Another band of people with no information

After so many people Paul tries to greet, he concludes with instruction: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” This is a common instruction Paul gives to churches. Strange for us, but not for their culture. It was very normal for one to greet another with a kiss on the cheek. This was an expression of deep, yet platonic, love.

Paul then gives a very general greeting from “All the churches of Christ.” Paul meant ALL when he said this.

Verses 17-18

Now we reach Paul’s warning against the divisive people. It is fitting that this comes after so many greetings to so many church members. Paul doing such greetings displayed unity in of itself. He clearly loved everyone in the church and sought make that known. He wanted to keep unity and express unity at all costs.

Now he “urges” the Roman church to “watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching [they have] learned.”

This was clearly an issue within their church (in fact in many churches). People were stirring up conflict and trying to cause divisions within the church. Paul tells them first to watch out for these people. He then gets more stern:

“Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.”

This is a harsh rebuke of these divisive people. He says they are not Christians and only serve themselves. While this is harsh, it is also true. No christian will choose disunity over unity. No christian should seek to deceive other believers with smooth talk. Be mindful of these people.

Verses 19-23

Paul then switches gears again referring to those he is with and what they have heard.

First, he says that the report of the Roman church’s obedience has led many to rejoice over them.

This speaks the the Roman church’s faithfulness to Christ.

Second, Paul instructs them still to “be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.”

What does this mean? Paul is saying that he wants them to be discerning about what they do that they believe is good and innocent in evil things, or not be a part of anything evil. He wants them to continue to stick out to the world and be very careful.

Third, he says “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under [their] feet.”

Paul is confident that God is using the church, even the Roman church, to destroy Satan in the world. God will empower them and use them to destroy the enemy. This is good news.

Next we see a greeting from Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sopsipater — these are men who are with Paul as he writes this letter.

Teritus then greets them as Paul’s scribe for this letter.

Paul would dictate to Tertius and he would pen down Paul’s words. Very common practice in their day.

Last few greetings are Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.

Gaius is the host to Paul and the local church

Erastus is a city treasurer

showing Paul’s reach into governments with the Gospel

Quartus is a christian brother

Verses 25-27

Concluding the entire letter, Paul must give glory to God. Here are a few things Paul says of the Lord in this doxology:

God is able to strengthen the Roman church

God strengthens them according to:

Paul’s Gospel

The proclamation of Jesus Christ

The Revelation of the Mystery in the Scriptres

The Command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith

God alone is Wise

To God be glory forever

And Paul finishes pointing to how God strengthens them to encourage the church and give them assurance of His work in their lives.