Romans 15-16

Intro

Series - Romans Studies On The Book Of Romans

This Part - Romans 15-16

Review

Background

Paul’s closing remarks

His works from Jerusalem to Illyricum (the western most limit of his ministry)

his upcoming journey to Jerusalem

His plan to visit Rome on his way to Spain

his commendation of his benefactor

his greeting to certain saints in Rome

his warning against divisive persons

his benediction

Paul reviews the purpose of his epistle

Romans 15:14–16 NKJV

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

To do his work as a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles

he was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles

In doing so, the “offering” of the Gentiles might be acceptable

offering - service, as a sacrifice to God

Paul’s concern was -

for the Gentiles to be gathered to God

for the Gentiles to demonstrate a life of faith that pleases God

Paul also shares some of the principles that he applied in his ministry -

Romans 15:17–21 NKJV

17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

he only speaks of what Christ has accomplished through him

for the obedience of the gentiles

he focused on preaching the gospel to places where no one has gone to before

so that he will not build on another man’s foundation

Note -

This is true apostolic work - Paul preached to virgin fields

this eliminates duplication of work, and maximizes time and effort

this also helps eliminates conflicts of interest with other apostles

this also emphasized his apostolic work to the Gentiles

Paul’s plan to go to visit Rome

Romans 15:22–24 NKJV

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

he saw his work as finished in the regions he mentioned

from Illyricum to Jerusalem - SEE MAP

he has desired to visit Rome for many years

Paul mentions his upcoming visit to Jerusalem

Romans 15:25–27 NKJV

25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

the saints in Macedonia and Achaia wanted to send gifts through Paul

they felt they have an obligation to serve through material things

Acts 19:21 NKJV

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

when he was imprisoned later, the Lord spoke to him of his trip to Rome

Acts 23:11 NKJV

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Paul expresses his concern with the Judean Jews

Romans 15:28–33 NKJV

28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul greets the Saints in Rome

He commends sis Phoebe from Cenchrea

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.

she was a “helper” - grk. PROSTATIS, a female benefactor

she was the first and perhaps only woman identified as a deacon in a church

He greets the saints by name

Priscilla and Aquila

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.

the couple were Paul’s converts in Corinth on his 3rd missionary journey

they were Roman Jews who came to Corinth when Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome

they established a house church in Corinth - 1 Cor 16.19 “19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

later they returned to Rome before Paul wrote this epistle

Romans 16:6–16 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. 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.

Andronicus and Junia

Junia is probably a sister

They were not apostles, but were known to the apostles

Paul warns against divisive persons

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.

note - grk SKOPEO, to watch carefully; be vigilant

divisions - dissentions,

people who cause divisions serve only their “belly” self-interest

be wise in in what is good; be innocent in evil

Paul’s Benediction

Romans 16:21–24 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. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Gaius - one of Paul’s converts in Corint - 1 Cor 1.14 “14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,”

When Paul first came to Corinth, he stayed in the house of Justus, where Crispus was baptized

Acts 18:6–8 NKJV

6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

it is believed that this Justus, or Titius Justus is the person as Gaius; his full name being Gaius Titius Justus.

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.

Conclusion