Romans 16 Part 2

Sudden Change

Romans 16:17–20 ESV

17 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. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Why do you think Paul interrupts at this moment to interject his thoughts?

Paul goes from listing his supporters and faithful in the Lord to giving a warning. I appeal - exhort, intreat, beseech - PLEAD with you brothers. In every group there seems to be those intent on bringing it down. Paul urged his Christian friends at Rome to be on the watch for spiritual enemies: those who are divisive and seek to hinder the Lord’s work. Divisiveness and evil are always a threat to the local church. The reason can be simply stated: people have problems, even believers. The fact that we live in a corrupt and depraved world means that people become disgruntled, disappointed, unhappy, selfish, sinful, and in some cases evil. Even the strongest believers become contaminated with corruption by having to live in the very air of a sinful world. It is because of this that Paul warns the church and its believers: mark divisive people. Watch out for them; be cautious; take note and keep an eye on them, for they are a constant threat to the church.

This statement cuts right in the middle of his greeting, showing the urgency of this thought as it entered Paul’s mind. Have you ever had something pop in your mind, and your initial thought is “If I don’t write it down I’ll forget it”. Now, if it’s something that is nominal or not important, chances are we won’t take the time to write it down. But with Paul he realized the importance of this warning and interrupted himself to make sure it was clear. Steer clear…even mark people who un-lovingly are constant grumblers, complainers, criticizers, gossipers, arguers, whisperers, those who cause turmoil and commotion, speaks against doctrine or teaches a different doctrine, and does so out of pride, ambition, or selfishness.

What is the concern over divisive people?

The most effective way for Satan to get a foothold into a strong church is to quietly and gradually move a divisive person into some teaching or leadership position where they can influence immature believers. Paul warning is one that is just as important today as it was then, if the church is to keep its witness for the Lord untainted, untarnished, and unblemished.

Division - standing apart, being separate, or causing a cleavage/separation.

Offenses - laying stumbling blocks in someone’s way or causing someone to fall.

If not, then the divisive person will cause division and lay stumbling blocks in the way of growth. Scripture says that their actions are “contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught”.

What doctrine? 1 John 3:23

1 John 3:23 ESV

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Paul warns us to avoid them. Why?

“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites”. They were selfish gluttons. The problem, however, was that by smooth talk and flattery they deceived the minds (lit., “hearts”) of naive people (akakōn, “innocent, unsuspecting”). Trouble is never far away where people are concerned. The child of God must beware of all those who by deceptive eloquence would lead them into error.

Let’s get into Paul’s mind for a second. Why would he bring up these concerns if there wasn’t something to be concerned about? Surely he was thinking of someone or some group that had caused some dissension. Was there concern still over the spiritually mature and immature that was spoken about in Romans 15:1-7

“1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Was there some other group or leadership within the congregation that had opposition with others? Jews vs Gentiles? We don’t know for sure, but we can know for certain whatever was occurring concerned Paul considerably.

Why did these actions concern Paul?

For your obedience is known to all - they were good people! People around them knew of the good they did through the church, BUT it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole barrel. We should not allow ourselves to be tainted by the ways of the world. We should be set apart, different, peculiar, and it should SHOW. Paul wanted to not only warn them, but guide them as he did other churches.

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Philippians 2:15 ESV

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV

21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.

I guess we could sum up Paul’s warning in this way. Think about what you are doing before you do it that way you don’t have to un-do something later on. Have you ever heard the old saying “you can never take back words that are spoken”? You can apologize all you want, but you will never be able to take those words back. Same way with actions or deeds, and Paul simply reminds them to think before they say or do something that would go contrary to God’s commands.

Paul then adds he knows who is causing all the problems, and that Satan even today stands defeated - not in the act of being defeated, but D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D!

Paul then closes with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you”.

Grace - (chairo, where we get charity) God’s unmerited favor. A show of kindness to someone, with the implication of graciousness on the part of the one showing such kindness.

The purest form of grace comes directly from Christ in showing His kindness for us in that “while we were yet sinners, He died for us”.

Continued Patronage

Romans 16:21–24 ESV

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Who did Paul point out by name, and what was their significance?

It is important for every minister and believer to have close associates who know and are faithful to the Lord. The strength of the associates greatly affects the witness of the minister. This passage gives a glimpse into the lives of a few of Paul’s associates.

1. Timothy: a right-hand man, a fellow worker (v. 21).

There is a great deal of information on Timothy throughout the New Testament. There are even two letters which bear his name included in the New Testament. The letters were written to Timothy by Paul himself. Note two facts mentioned about Timothy, facts which should speak to our hearts.

His name, Timothy, means one who honors God. Both his mother and grandmother were faithful believers who reared Timothy in the Scriptures (2 Ti. 1:5; 3:15). Apparently when Timothy was born, his mother had dedicated him to the Lord after the pattern of the Old Testament believers. She gave him his name knowing perfectly well what it meant. Her hope and prayer was that Christ would take her child and use him to bring honor to God’s name.

Timothy is called Paul’s fellow worker. Paul places Timothy on an equal par with himself. Paul sees Timothy’s call and ministry as being as important as his own. This says several significant things.

Timothy’s mind—his thoughts, imaginations, concepts, ideas, purposes, plans, concerns—was consumed with the very same things as Paul’s mind: Christ, His mission, and the reaching and caring for people.

Timothy was faithful in ministering right along with other ministers of the gospel, doing exactly what God had called him to do. Note that he was second to Paul, that is, Paul’s assistant. However, this did not bother Timothy, for Timothy knew something: it was God, not man, who had called him to be second and to serve as the assistant. Therefore, he was faithful, always serving his Lord.

2. Lucius, Jason, Sosipater: relatives who were believers (v. 21).

Apparently, Paul had a family tree just like most of us have: branches that just keep on running out from our aunts, uncles, and their children who are our cousins. Just who these men were we cannot be sure, but note what is said in this passage.

They were relatives of Paul who had trusted Christ as their Savior and surrendered to His Lordship. Who was converted first, Paul or his three relatives? We do not know; but this much is known. Genuine believers pray, and they diligently pray for relatives, believing that it is their responsibility to reach their own families first. For this reason, Paul’s family saw quite a few of its members give their lives to Christ.

They were serving the Lord with Paul. Any person serving with Paul was bound to be committed to Christ and to be fully committed, for if any man has ever been committed to Christ, it was Paul. Without question, these three men had given all they were and had to the Lord. They were bound to be gripped with the needs of masses suffering under the weight of starvation, disease, poverty, sin, and death, and with the urgent need to get the gospel of salvation to them. The very fact that they were serving with Paul tells us that this was the heartbeat of their lives.

3. Tertius: a humble helper (v. 22).

He helped Paul in a most significant but humble way. Apparently he was not a preacher, but he served as the personal secretary to Paul, writing this letter to the Romans for Paul. The need for dedicated people who are gifted in handling details is desperately needed in the service of Christ! Very little if anything can be done effectively without what may be called the Service Ministries. May God stir and arouse men and women to give their lives as Tertius did: to reach out in the service ministries of the Lord.

He personally knew the Lord and was bold in proclaiming his testimony. Glance at the verse again: “I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (v. 22) Paul does not send the greeting for Tertius; Tertius takes it upon himself to send his own greeting. He is a fellow believer with the Roman Christians, and he wants to greet them in the name of Christ, proclaiming his own faith and his own ministry in the Lord. Men of the world may consider him and his work as secretary of little importance. But he does not: his faith and ministry are the most important things in the world to him. Therefore, he proclaims that he too is “in the Lord” and that he is the secretary who wrote the letter for Paul.

4. Gaius: a man of hospitality (v. 23).

Apparently, Gaius was a wealthy man with a home large enough to entertain the whole church and to house God’s servants over a long period of time. The point to note is this: he was faithful in using his money, wealth, and estate for the Lord.

5. Erastus: a civil servant, the city director of public works (v. 23).

He was a man highly respected both among believers and the world, a man of extreme responsibility who could be greatly trusted to look after his responsibility, and a man of courage who stood up for his convictions and did not let political office, friends, or associates in high places keep him from confessing Christ.

It is interesting to note that Erastus was apparently called to preach the gospel, and eventually he resigned or was removed from political office. He is seen on a mission tour with Timothy (Ac. 19:22) and is mentioned as still being faithful in the latter months of Paul’s life

6. Quartus: a Christian brother (v. 23).

This is significant, for it means that he had made a genuine commitment to Christ and that he was serving mankind as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that he had a brotherly heart and love, helping and standing with other believers as a brother in the Lord.

A Call to Strength

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Who is able to strengthen a believer?

Believers are established and made strong by the gospel. Paul calls the gospel, “my gospel.” He does not mean that he possesses the gospel, nor that he is the author and creator of it. He does not mean that he has formulated a man-made gospel that men are to follow. He simply means that he is a preacher of God’s gospel, and God uses the gospel which he and other preachers proclaim to strengthen believers. God is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe who possesses the message of the glorious gospel. God is the Author and Creator of the message, not Paul nor any other preacher. But note: Paul and other preachers are ambassadors; they are the representatives of God who carry forth the gospel of God. The preacher of the gospel stands before the world with God’s message. He has the right and the authority to proclaim the gospel, and the gospel proclaimed comes forth from his voice. In this sense it is his message—his gospel—that God uses to establish and strengthen believers.

Believers are established and made strong by the proclamation or preaching of Jesus Christ. The preaching of Christ can mean either the message preached by Christ Himself or the message about Christ that is preached by others. Both meanings make sense, and both are certainly true, for the message of salvation preached by Christ and by His followers is the same.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Romans. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996. Print. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible.