The Body of Christ in Rome - Romans 16

Copyright November 3, 2024 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

We come now to the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Like many letters it is filled with greetings and good wishes. It is tempting to rush past these things. However, we believe ALL scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuke, and training in right living. This morning we are going to look at this passage for what we can learn from it.

In the first 16 verses I count references to 26 people by name. The first thing we notice is that Paul seems to know a lot of people in a church he had never been to. However, Rome was the central city in the Empire. Many of these people may have been forced to leave for a period in 49 AD when Claudius was the Emperor. He forced all Jewish Christians to leave Rome because of the controversy between them and the Jews who had not embraced Christ. These Messianic Jews would have dispersed and could have easily crossed paths with Paul in other places.

Paul’s 3rdmissionary journey wasn’t until 54-58 which means he would didn’t head to Rome until after that time. The reign of Claudius went until 54 AD so these friends he had met would have likely returned to Rome.

There are a few interesting notes in this list that have provoked debate over the centuries. The first relates to Phoebe. Paul writes,

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Phoebe is called a “deacon” (what it says in the Greek). What makes this interesting is when Paul writes 1 Timothy, it seems Paul refers to the position of deacon in the church as a role for men. So, this passage raises the issue of a woman’s possible roles in the church. This is complicated by the fact that deacon also means, “one who serves.” So, it is just as possible that Phoebe was well respected for the service she gave to the church and did not hold an official office in the church.

In verse 7 we read about “Andronicus and Junia.” There is some discussion over ether Junia should be male or female. It seems it should be a female name. This matters because the text says, “They are highly respected among the apostles.” Some people read this to mean they were both considered apostles which would be a strong argument for women pastors. However, the passage just as easily could mean they were highly regarded BY the apostles. In which case it is not an argument in the “woman pastor” debate.

I have no intention of going into this debate because good Christian people disagree on this issue, and I don’t want to be distracted by the argument which would lead us away from what the text can teach each of us.

This long list of names teaches us a few things..

The Church Is Made Up Of People. . . It Is Not A Building Or Organization

I heard someone say a few weeks ago that we should not thank people for “coming to church” on Sunday morning because it makes it seem like the church is a location, a building, or an organization. But that is not what the church is. The word “church” in the Greek really means “the called out ones.” In other words, the church is the people! It is better to say “It is good to be in this gathering of the church (or God’s people).” Paul had quite a resume, but he knew the church grows and honors God as the people serve each other.

This is important because we too often are guilty of trying to build up organizations that meets in a building called “the church.” These various organizations then compete with each other to see which “church” is better. And such thinking misses the point entirely! There are not different churches in a community, there are simply different places where the church gathers. We are all “the church” and should act like brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of where we gather.

We are reminded once again that the church is not about the Pastor, at least it shouldn’t be. Paul had a host of people who helped make his ministry “successful.” And this is important to remember as our congregation goes through a time of transition. We are fortunate to have a gifted man who has been called by God to lead this church. But . . . the future of the church is dependent on the Lord working through the people, not just through the Pastor.

The Church is Diverse

As you look through the names in this list you will see the great diversity that makes up the church. First, there was an ethnic diversity. In the list of names there are Greek, Roman and Jewish names. The gospel is not just for white Anglo-Saxon Protestants. The Gospel is for everyone.

I realize there is not a great deal of ethnic diversity in La Harpe. But in the church, a person’s ethnic background should never matter! The Lord unites people from all over the world.

Second, there was socio-economic diversity in the church. In the list of names, some were common slave names, and others seem to have come from very prominent ancestral or aristocratic families. God doesn’t care what you are worth financially. Your job is not a factor in how you are viewed in the church. Or at least, it shouldn’t be a factor. In the church the Judge and the former criminal kneel at the same altar. The slave and the slave owner back then were equal in the church!

Third, there was gender diversity in the church. Of the 26 names that are mentioned, at least 10 of them were women. This is important because there are many who feel Paul was a misogynist (woman-hater). They believe Paul was holding woman back. But that is not the truth! In a culture where women were often treated as second class citizens or property, the church was where women were seen as equals. Paul recognized the gifts of women and celebrated those gifts.

Where would the church be without the women of the church? Too often, men view spiritual matters as secondary. If it were not for women stepping in, we would not have much in the area of compassion ministries, or educational opportunities for our children, and much of the fellowship in the church would be curtailed. Jesus elevated the position of women. He gave them equal standing in the church long before any laws were passed in that regard.

We can debate why God seems to set men as the leader of the home (in a shared and loving relationship) and it may be that Pastors and leaders in the church should be men. But, I have questioned before: why did God put men in this position? Was it because of the way God made men or was it because if God did not give men this responsibility, they would completely dis-engage from the family and the church? Either way, men and women are valued equally in the church. I know that is true here.

Fourth, the church unified all ages. The Bible affirms the wisdom of the elderly while at the same time embracing the enthusiasm of youth. In 1 John we read,

12 I am writing to you who are God’s children

because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith

because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.

I am writing to you who are young in the faith

because you have won your battle with the evil one.

14 I have written to you who are God’s children

because you know the Father.

I have written to you who are mature in the faith

because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.

I have written to you who are young in the faith

because you are strong.

God’s word lives in your hearts,

and you have won your battle with the evil one. (I John 2:12-14)

The church needs to have people of all ages. Why? Because Jesus died for all! It is hard to look around in a church that has no younger people. You know that church cannot last. They will literally die out. I think one of the sounds that I love to hear are the coos of a baby or the laughter coming from the Nursery. That is not offensive! It says the church is alive and reaching out to all generations.

But it is just as disconcerting to have no older people in the church. The wisdom of experience cannot be replaced by what you read in a book, and the example of people who have lived a lifetime of consistency should not be dismissed.

As we look around on a Sunday morning, we should be able to see people of all kinds in the church. Jesus died for everyone. And has a place for every person in His church.

The Church is the Defender of the Truth

After this list of names, Paul has just a couple more things to say to the church in Rome.

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. (17-19)

Paul says there are some people who create conflict. They are concerned about getting what they want in the church rather than what God wants. Paul says some of these people are “whisperers” who try to enlist others to their way of thinking.

Choosing a church can be a real challenge. Gatherings of people can be called churches yet some teach things that run contrary to sound doctrine. The fact that a church is large does not means they are teaching the truth. This is why it is important that people do their homework when looking for a church. I have been startled by some of the things I have heard come out of pulpits.

Even some large (some would say “successful” churches) are preaching a gospel that is contrary to the message of the gospel in the Bible. They celebrate the goodness of man rather than the goodness of God. I have told you before that I have heard Pastors say they do not believe in a literal resurrection of Jesus. They see the resurrection as the good thoughts and feelings they carry in their heart of Jesus. Paul argues quite persuasively in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ has not really risen from the grave, we are still in our sins.

I heard another Pastor declare that they saw no reason to talk about sin because they felt everyone needed to be lifted up rather than told they are sinful! Wow! The one truth we must face is our alienation from God! If we do not see our sinfulness, we will never seek the salvation that comes only through Christ.

Another Pastor said he doubted whether Paul actually wrote the letters attributed to Him. The idea that someone would preach passages they did not believe were authentic is quite distressing.

These are theological obstacles. A more pervasive obstacle are those who say they follow Christ but live no differently than the rest of the world. They are preaching a false gospel by the way they live! Turning to Christ as Savior is about confessing you intend to follow Jesus! And, if you are following Jesus you desire to live out the truth in your daily life. This is the essence of the book of James and is also what Paul said in Romans 6 and 7, “If we have died to sin, why would we live in it any longer?” When we come to Christ it is not just signing on some dotted line. It is a commitment!

There is a question people raise: “What is this doctrine by which we are to measure our beliefs?” That one is easy to answer: it is what Paul wrote in the previous 15 chapters. Romans is the clearest explanation of what Christians believe. Is it complicated at times?? Yes. There are some deep truths in this book.

I think Romans is one of the essential books of the Bible for understanding the Christian faith. Certainly, the words of Jesus hold superior value to us. The Gospels tells us about the nature of God, the depth of sin, and the solution of God in Christ. I would never tell someone to start their reading in the book of Romans. You need to understand who Jesus is first. But, when you want to know what it means to be His follower . . . Romans is a very systematic explanation of the life God calls us to live. If you work hard to understand the book of Romans, you will have a good test for what is true and what is false in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Paul piles on a bunch more names of those people who are with him. There is one verse that may trouble some people: in verse 22 we read , “I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.” It was common for someone like Paul to dictate his letter. We learn from Galatians that Paul had some eye troubles and therefore wrote in very large letters. It was much more financially effective to have someone who could write faster and smaller.

A Final Blessing

25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

When all is said done, it is true that the book of Romans is an incredible written document. But in the end, Paul wants to make sure that this is not about Paul . . . it is about the Lord. We all have a tendency to exalt human beings when the only One who should truly be exalted is the Lord. It is the Lord who makes us strong. He is the One who has the plan and way of salvation. He is the One to receive glory above all. It was His sacrifice that set us free.

There are lots of people who impact our lives. We need to always remember that it is God who is impacting us through these lives. He is the One who makes salvation possible. He is the One that works through people to finish well. As I look back, I cannot begin to remember all the people that have impacted my life and ministry. Some were people who were faithfully living out their faith in front of me. For others it was a lasting kindness or an insightful comment.

Our task is to study this book so that we understand the reasonable and logical nature of the gospel. You don’t have to discard your brain to be a believer! It makes sense. Hopefully, in understanding the logic of the gospel we can better explain the good news to those who need to hear it. It is privilege to serve Him and to be used by Him. We are never more effective than when we are completely surrendered to Him.

So let me wrap this chapter up. Let’s take away some lessons.

1) The gospel is available to everyone no matter where they have come from, how much they earn in their jobs, or what their talents and gifts are. It is God who opens doors, and it is God who enables people to understand this gospel. Our job is to point others to Him as the One who alone can meet their needs.

2) Everyone has a place in the church. And it is only as we work together, led by the Spirit, that they church can impact our society. Where does God want to use you?

3) The gospel is hard to embrace because it requires that we recognize our own helplessness. This goes against our nature that wants to exalt ourselves. We want to believe that we bring about our own salvation. This is why we hear so much more about man’s freewill than we do about God’s sovereignty. We are happy to acknowledge that God is the King, but we want it known that He needs us! But, of course He does not. God is completely self-sufficient. God does not need us . . . He want us.

And isn’t that the real wonder of the gospel message? Why would God want us? He needs nothing that we have. God is not lonely or deficient in any other way. He is loving and wants to express that love to us and through us.

As long as this church keeps the Lord in the center, this church is going to do some special things. As long as we keep striving to follow the One who gave His life for us, we will be OK. The goal is to look for the open doors God provides and then walk through them. We should not be seeking to implement our master plan, but his.

May God help us to continue to point to Him and not to our facilities, staff, or people. May we serve while at the same time being observers, watching to see what God will do. He can do exceeding abundantly beyond all we can ask or imagine. And if you don’t believe that . . . keep watching!