Romans 16
Notes
Transcript
Background
Background
Paul is towards the end of his 25+ year ministry. He wants to get a church to support him in what would be his last missionary journey—to Spain. He’s never been to Rome.
Timeline
AD 33: "Visitors from Rome (both Jews and Converts)” were converted at Pentecost. Acts 2:10
This Jewish/Gentile mix likely went back to become the church in Rome.
~AD 50: Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome. The church in Rome continued among Gentiles.
AD 54: Nero becomes emperor and allows Jews to return to Rome.
AD 56: Paul writes Romans.
AD 57: Paul arrested in Jerusalem. Acts 21:27
The Roman historian Suetonius mentions early Christians and may refer to Jesus Christ in his work Lives of the Twelve Caesars. One passage in the biography of the Emperor Claudius, refers to agitations in the Roman Jewish community and the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Claudius during his reign (AD 41 to AD 54), which may be the expulsion mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (18:2). In this context "Chrestus" is mentioned. Some scholars see this as a likely reference to Jesus, while others see it as referring to another person living in Rome, of whom we have no information.
In Claudius 25 Suetonius refers to the expulsion of Jews by Claudius and states (in Catharine Edwards' translation):
Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.
Suetonius goes on to later describe how Nero persecuted Christians in AD 64.
Chapter 1: Humanity's Universal Sinfulness
Chapter 2: God's Righteous Judgment
Chapter 3: Universal Need for Righteousness
Chapter 4: Abraham’s Faith and Righteousness
Chapter 6: Freedom in Christ
Chapter 7: Death in Law
Chapter 8: Glory instead of condemnation
Chapter 9: God’s rejection of Israel (except remnant)
Chapter 10: Faith alone, by hearing
Chapter 11: How God is faithful to Israel
Chapter 12: Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds
People serve the church in different ways. How do you serve the church? How do you want to?
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.
Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.
The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet 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 coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you.
I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles—to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever! Amen.
