Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Paul's Network in Romans 16

Introduction

Not only was Paul a teacher, a preacher, a leader, theologian, he was also a man of community.

Paul shows us that we are not supposed to do this life alone. As he shepherded the Church he formed relationships with many.

In the End of This passage he shows his loyalty to many of the relationships he has formed over the years.

People that are also taking the Gospel to the people who need to hear about the love of Jesus the Christ.

Romans 16:1-23

Romans 16:1–23 NIV

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. 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. 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. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 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. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 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. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. 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. 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. 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. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 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.

28 Individuals

There is a long list of names here and we are going to have a long drawn out class going through each name and its significance. Ok maybe not. We will save that for another day.

I do want to point out a few names though.

Phoebe, a servant to the church in Cenchrea (Κεγχρεαί, Kenchreai). It is widely agreed that Phoebe was likely the carrier of Paul’s letter to Rome. She is perhaps a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea. She is probably a woman of means who had helped support the church an maybe even Paul himself. She very well might have also been trained in how to read this letter to the church in Rome.

After Phoebe, Paul enters into a lengthy list of greetings to acquaintances in Rome. People he had meet and remembered. I wish I was a good with networking as Paul. Some people have a gift. I wish I was a good with names as Paul. I blame my learning disability, I don’t know if that’s true or not but …

But what we can take from this is no one needs to be or is alone in this journey, called life, Especially when we are brought into the family of God. Adopted heirs with Christ. bought into sonship.

If you want to look up the names feel free. Most technical commentaries do an adequate job of exploring the identities of those named in Paul’s greetings (I like F. F. Bruce for this in Romans; see Bruce, pp. 257–262).

A concordance will aid the student of Romans in linking many names in Paul’s list to other occurrences of those individuals in the New Testament.

There are 28 Individuals listed here, 5 Groups; 17 of them are men; 9 are women; 5 are slaves; 3 fellow Jews

It is an extremely diversified list . There were males, females, slaves, freedmen, Jews, Gentiles, well-to-do, and well thought of.

A third of those mentioned are women; all the ones described as working hard (kopiao) are women.

House churches are mentioned at least once, maybe more depending on your take.

It takes the community

It takes the body to be about the work of Christ. The church locally and the Church globally does not work if all are not involved.

What am I Saying. i am not saying that if you don’t work for Christ you are going to loose your salvation. I am not saying that you need to do everything at the church though I am sure the 10% that do 90% of the the work would welcome and love the help.

But we are not all gifted the same and for the same work. As long as we are living live together for the Glory of God.

And that focus on the Glory of God the mission of God through Jesus Christ, keeps us focused on the Who not the want. And Paul lays out a warning that applies to all of us today. There are those who thrive on divisions and obstacles. No one likes to be considered thief that comes to still kill and destroy, or a wolf in sheep clothing, or what not. People don’t see themselves like that.

But there are those who are “only telling you the truth”. In the realm of truth, physical barriers such as hedges, gates, and corrals do not deter the enemy, those who prey upon the mind. Paul is Waring The church in Rome, us, against those who would seek to lead them astray.

In Paul’s words can be found the kernels of the Genesis story of the fall—not so much to claim that Paul is mirroring that story, but enough to suggest its presence as a constant paradigm in Paul’s thinking:

1. Adam and Eve were taught the truth; the Roman believers are reminded of the teaching [they] have learned.

2. Adam and Eve should have kept away from the one who came to tempt them; the Roman believers are warned to watch out for and keep away from those who would lead them astray.

3. The one who deceived Adam and Eve was not serving God, but himself; the Roman believers are warned that their tempters are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.

4. Adam and Eve were deceived by smooth talk; the Roman believers are warned to beware of smooth talk and flattery.

5. Just as God pronounced the ultimate doom of the one who deceived Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15), so Paul repeats that promise to the Roman believers: the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

People can be sons of vipers too. If you don’t have anything positive to say, if you are constantly back biting, talking behind peoples back, complaining, you should do this differently. Maybe your the problem, leading people astray causing division.

If you are putting people down to lift yourself up, we don’t like to think of ourselves as the bully but what a division and Obstacle that causes.

Don’t be the snake.

Lift one another up in unity.

Take hope that in the end the great snake will be and has already been crushed by Jesus Christ. Sing a song of victory.

Christ has already won. Our part (the Roman church’s part) is to be alert and vigilant until the final armistice. It is the grace of God that empowers us to understand, and stand in, the conflict.

Next Steps

Accept Jesus

Get to know one another, be in community.

Don’t be the snake

May the church today honor the memory of the few whose names we know, and the millions whose names we will not know until “the roll is called up yonder.” May we honor their memory by being as faithful in our day as they were in theirs.

Bibliography

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Chip, Ingram. R12 Living on the Edge Study Guide: Dare to Experience True Spirituality . New York: Howard Books, 2009.

Bruce, F. F. Romans: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.

Questions for Further Discussion

What role did Paul play in the lives of the individuals he mentions in Romans 16?

How does Paul's greeting to a diverse group demonstrate the theology of community in the Church?

In what ways can we foster a sense of community within our church similar to what Paul describes?

How can we avoid becoming 'thieves' or 'wolves' in our own communities?

What does it mean to lift one another up in unity, as Paul encourages?

Individuals: 28

Twenty-six are mentioned by name, plus two other individuals not mentioned by name (Rufus’s mother, v. 13; Nereus’s sister, v. 15).

Groups: 5

The church in Priscilla’s and Aquila’s house (v. 5); the household of Aristobulus (v. 10); the household of Narcissus (v. 11); the brothers associated with Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas (v. 14); the saints with Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and Olympas (v. 15).

Men: 17

Seventeen are greeted (excluding the male heads of households named, but not necessarily greeted as members of the church: Aristobulus and Narcissus): Aquila (v. 3), Epenetus (v. 5), Andronicus (v. v. 7), Ampliatus (v. 8), Urbanus (v. 9), Stachys (v. 9), Apelles (v. 10), Herodion (v. 11), Rufus (v. 13), Asyncritus (v. 14), Phlegon (v. 14), Hermes (v. 14), Patrobas (v. 14), Hermas (v. 14), Philologus (v. 15), Nereus (v. 15), Olympas (v. 15).

Women: 9

Nine are mentioned: Priscilla (v. 3), Mary (v. 6), Junias (v. 7), Tryphena and Tryphosa (twin sisters?, v. 12), Persis (v. 12), Rufus’s mother (v. 13), Julia (v. 15), Nereus’s sister (v. 15).

Couples: 2

Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3); Andronicus and Junias (v. 7; see the commentaries on why Junias is most likely a female name).

Households: 2

Aristobulus (v. 10); Narcissus (v. 11).

Slaves: 5

From Roman inscriptions, the following names were often those of slaves: Ampliatus (v. 8), Urbanus (v. 9), Hermes (v. 14), Philologus and Julia (v. 15).

Persons of distinction: 2

Aristobulus (v. 10) was possibly the grandson of Herod the Great and friend of the Emperor Claudius. Narcissus (v. 11) was likely a well-known freedman who exercised great influence on Claudius. It is not certain that these famous individuals had become Christians (they were possibly dead at the time of Paul’s writing), but that their families (households) were represented by members of the church. Rufus (v. 13) was possibly the son of Simon the Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross to Golgotha (Mark 15:21).

Fellow Jews: 3

Andronicus and Junias (v. 7); Herodion (v. 11). (There could have been others not designated as such.)

Apostles: 2

The married couple Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Possibly apostles for having seen the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:7); possibly among the Grecian Jews of Acts 6:1 based on their names; were Jewish believers (Paul’s kinsmen and cell-mates, 2 Cor. 11:23) (cf. Bruce, p. 258).

Paul’s descriptives:

Those who worked hard: four women (Mary, v. 6; Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis, v. 12). Fellow workers: Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3); Andronicus and Junias (v. 7; not mentioned as fellow workers, but obviously were based on Paul’s description); Urbanus (v. 9). Dear friends or beloved: Epenetus (v. 5); Ampliatus (v. 8); Stachys (v. 9); Persis (v. 12).

Individuals: 28

Twenty-six are mentioned by name, plus two other individuals not mentioned by name (Rufus’s mother, v. 13; Nereus’s sister, v. 15).

Receiving special note:

Deserved the gratitude of all the churches: Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3). First convert to Christ in Asia: Epenetus (v. 5). Been in prison with Paul: Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Outstanding among the apostles: Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Tested and approved: Apelles (v. 10). Been like a mother to Paul: Mother of Rufus (v. 13; the wife of Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus? cf. Mark 15:21).

Taken from Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. p459.

### Sermon Title:

**"Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Paul's Network in Romans 16"**

### YouTube Description:

In this sermon, Pastor Ryan explores Romans 16:1-23, where Paul demonstrates the importance of community in the body of Christ. Paul’s final greetings to a diverse group of individuals in Rome reveal the depth of his relationships and his commitment to unity within the Church. From Phoebe, the faithful servant, to the many others who played significant roles in the spread of the Gospel, we learn that the Church thrives when every member, regardless of background, comes together for the glory of God. We also examine Paul's warning against division and the call for unity as we walk together in Christ.

Join us at Laughlin Community Church as we learn from Paul's example and apply these timeless truths to our own church community. For more information, visit laughlinchurch.com.

CCLI License #11532054 | CCLI Streaming #20366392

Be sure to subscribe and follow for more uplifting sermons and biblical teachings.

---

### Sermon Notes Handout

#### **Title: "Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Paul's Network in Romans 16"**

---

**Introduction:**

- Paul’s roles: teacher, preacher, leader, theologian, and man of community.

- The importance of relationships in Paul's ministry.

- Romans 16:1-23 highlights the network of people helping to spread the Gospel.

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### **1. The Importance of Community:**

- **Key Figure:** **Phoebe** - Servant of the church in Cenchrea, likely the carrier of Paul's letter.

- Possibly a deaconess and financial supporter of the early church.

- A powerful example of faithful service in the Kingdom of God.

- **Paul’s Network:**

- Paul mentions **28 individuals**, from various backgrounds.

- Diversity: men, women, slaves, Jews, Gentiles.

- The Church was diverse, just like today, showing us that God uses all types of people for His work.

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### **2. We Are Not Alone in This Journey:**

- **Key Idea:** The Church is the body of Christ; we cannot do life alone.

- Paul’s greetings remind us that **every believer** has a role to play.

- Encouragement: We are adopted heirs with Christ, and part of God’s family.

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### **3. Paul’s Warning Against Division:**

- **Watch out for divisive individuals**—those who create obstacles (Romans 16:17).

- Paul warns against smooth talkers who lead people astray.

- We must **guard the unity of the Church**, avoiding gossip, slander, and backbiting.

- Be vigilant against those who serve themselves rather than Christ.

- **Genesis Story Connection:**

- Paul mirrors the Fall of Adam and Eve, showing how deception and division enter the Church.

- Reminder: Just as God crushed Satan, we can walk in victory through Jesus Christ.

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### **4. Key Takeaways:**

- **Lift Each Other Up in Unity:**

- Encourage one another, avoid being divisive, and focus on the mission of Christ.

- Sing a song of victory—Christ has already won!

- **Application:**

- **Accept Jesus**: Commit your life to Christ and His mission.

- **Get to Know One Another**: Foster deep, meaningful relationships within the church.

- **Avoid Being the Snake**: Don’t be the one who divides; instead, be a source of unity.

- **Serve Together**: Use your gifts for the glory of God, whether in the church or in the community.

---

### **Next Steps:**

- Reflect on the people God has placed in your life—how can you support and serve them?

- How can you contribute to the unity and mission of the church?

- Be alert and vigilant, lifting others up as we work together for the Kingdom of God.

---

**Questions for Further Discussion:**

1. What role did Paul play in the lives of the individuals mentioned in Romans 16?

2. How does Paul’s greeting to a diverse group reflect the theology of community?

3. How can we avoid becoming 'thieves' or 'wolves' in our own communities?

4. What does it mean to lift one another up in unity as Paul encourages?

---

**Closing:**

May we honor the memory of the faithful saints, known and unknown, by being as faithful in our time as they were in theirs. Together, we are the body of Christ, empowered to live in unity and victory.