ROMANS 16

LAST WEEK

We finished

We looked at Paul’s plans to come to Rome

We saw how the Gentile Church partnered with Paul in blessing the Jewish Brothers and Sisters in the Lord.

We also saw Paul’s heart for discipleship

We saw the “How” of Discipleship

The heart that one should have when we admonish people

THIS WEEK

We are going to finish The Letter to the Romans

We are going to see Paul speak personally address 27 people

We are going to see 2 Final Exhortations for the Roman Church.

A Final Warning

A Final Declaration

TURN TO ROMANS 16

Romans 16

Romans 16 NKJV

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

PRAY

Romans 16:1-

Romans 16:1–2 NKJV

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

REAL TALK

HOW MANY OF US KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE?

HOW MANY OF US ARE WILLING TO CONFESS THAT SOMETIMES WE LOOK OVER THESE NAMES?

IT IS SO EASY TO LOOK OVER THESE NAMES

SOMETIMES, BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER, LIKE PAUL, JESUS, PETER, JAMES, OR JOHN, WE PASSIVELY GLAZE OVER THESE LEGENDS

So, I want to take this time to look at these important characters of the Bible.

WHO IS PHOEBE?

Phoebe is possibly a Gentile Business Woman who hand delivered the Letter to the Roman Leadership

Paul calls her a servant.

But not just any servant

A Diakonos

A Deaconess

This was the official title of a Waiter/Waitress

Someone called to serve the church of Cenchrea

This church was located 7 miles from Corinth

Paul bids the Roman Church to welcome her in the Lord

To treat her, in the same manner that you would treat someone of great honor.

Assist her in whatever she needs

For she has been a helper of many and even Paul himself

What a joy to to be known in Scripture by someone who was a “helper of many”

Have you ev

What an honor to be granted worthy to deliver what many consider one of Paul’s Greatest Literary works.

Have you ever let that sink in for a few minutes?

A Woman

A Human seen as Property

A Person who could not be trusted

Who could not usurp authority over men

To make things worse . . . A Gentile Woman

Was trusted with THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

Was given the responsibility to deliver such an important message to the Church that could change and has changed the course of this world.

One question that I still have, is this:

Where were the men?

Where were the leaders of the corinthian church?

Or did Paul choose to send a woman to prove a point?

To give women value

To give women a voice

To show the Roman Church that woman matter

Just something to think about.

WHO ELSE DOES PAUL CALL OUT BY NAME?

Romans 16:3–16 NKJV

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:3-

Romans 16:

Romans 16:3–5 NKJV

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

WHO IS PRISCILLA & AQUILA?

They were Paul’s fellow workers in Christ

Co Laborers

Who risked their own necks for Paul’s Life

A Married Jewish Couple who worked alongside Paul for the Kingdom

They helped plant the Church in Ephesus

They were helping with the Church in Rome, until Emperor Claudius kicked them out.

This couple put in work for the Kingdom

Both in the Jewish and Gentile Churches

Laboring hard

Putting their lives on the line

For all that Jesus wanted to do in and through them

Roma

On top of all of this, they led a house church

This couple was on fire for Jesus

Willing to open up their home

Willing to be uncomfortable

Willing to do whatever it takes to see people come to faith.

WHO IS EPAENETUS?

Literally the first fruit that Paul saw in Achaia

Someone who had come to faith on Paul’s Missionary journey who was now in Rome serving the church.

Romans 16:

Romans 16:6–11 NKJV

6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

GREET MARY

A Woman who labored much for us

GREET ANDRONICUS AND JUNIA

A Jewish Male and Female who stood in prison with Paul for the Gospel

Who were noted and esteemed among the Gentiles

Maybe even Apostles themselves.

GREET AMPLIAS, BELOVED IN THE LORD

GREET URBANUS, FELLOW WORKER IN CHRIST, AND STACHYS MY BELOVED

GREET APELLES, APPROVED IN CHRIST

GREET THOSE WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF ARISTOBULUS

It is thought that this dude was Herod Agrippas brother

A member of the Roman Aristocracy who lived in Rome

God had been working through this man

Paul takes the time to greet everyone in his family.

GREET HERODION, A FELLOW JEW

GREET THOSE WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF NARCISSUS WHO ARE IN THE LORD.

Narcissus could have very well been the Ex Slave who served under Emperor Claudius

An Ex Slave who believed on Jesus and was working under a man who hated Jews.

Romans 16:12-

Romans 16:12–16 NKJV

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

GREET TRYPHENA & TRYPHOSA, AND PERSIS

Two women and possibly a man who labored in the Lord

GREET RUFUS

Chosen in the Lord along with his mother and mine

Rufus is most likely the son of Simon the Cyrene

The man who was given the task of carrying the cross of Christ for the last leg of the road to Golgotha

GREET ASYNCRITUS, PHLEGON, HERMAS, PATROBAS, HERMES, AND THE BRETHREN WHO ARE WITH THEM

GREET PHILOLOGUS AND JULIA, NEREUS AND HIS SISTER, OLYMPAS, AND ALL THE SAINTS WHO ARE WITH THEM

GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS, THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST GREET YOU.

This was a customary greeting

Specially among the Jewish Brothers and Sisters.

We see it in the Corinthian Church, the Thassalonican Church, and in 1 Peter.

By the second century, the Holy Kiss became part of Christian Liturgy and Practice

IN VERSE 17, THINGS TAKE A TURN

ROMANS 16:17-

Romans 16:17–20 NKJV

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

AFTER GREETING ALL OF THESE IMPORTANT CHARACTERS OF THE BIBLE

PAUL, TAKES A MOMENT TO WARN THE CHURCH IN ROME ABOUT A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE

PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS AND OFFENSES, CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINES WHICH THE ROMAN CHURCH HAD LEARNED

Paul warns the Roman Church against:

People who cause dissension and who are stumbling others

People who are false teachers

Placing burdens on those who have just come to faith

People who don’t stand up for righteousness

People who teach doctrines contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

What was the motive behind their false teachings?

PAUL EXPOSES THEM

HE SAYS, THEY ARE NOT SERVING THE LORD, BUT THEIR OWN BELLY

They are serving their own desires

They are serving their own False God

They are serving self centered motives to grow their own ego

Sometimes, they are serving the God of Ministry

BY SMOOTH WORDS AND FLATTERING SPEECH THEY DECEIVE THE HEART OF THE SIMPLE.

Their message tickles ears

Their message isn’t confrontational

Their message doesn’t challenge the hearer to be more like Jesus

Their message fills seats and funds their egos

With flattering words, they deceive the heart of the simple.

Romans 16:21–23 NKJV

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.

Romans 16:20-

PRAY

Romans 16:25-

Romans 16:25–27 NKJV

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.