Romans 16

Conclusions

We’re continuing out goodbye from Paul sometimes I think he was from the Midwest it takes him a chapter and a half to say goodbye. One thing I had to learn living in Wisconsin was the midwestern goodbye. You just slap your leg and say ‘welp’ and stand up. Everyone know that means lets talk for another hour standing and slowly move toward the door so we can say goodbye.

So we pick up and finish here with chapter 16 of Romans Rom 16.1

Romans 16:1–2 ESV

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Phoebe is an honored woman whom Paul has trusted to most likely carry this letter to the Church in Rome. She was a servant - diakonos - of the church at Cenchreae. This is indeed the word for deacon, and it appears she was one. A deacon is one who serves the church, not one that oversees the church. She was also a patron though that word implies protection so while we don’t know exactly the service she rendered it was likely not just that of a medieval patron who just gives money. She was the protectress of many and of Paul. This commendation seems to be written in because we think it very likely that she was the courier of the letter as I stated before.

Romans 16:3–5 ESV

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

Greet these two - because they are people that are already there. This is not the first time we’ve heard of this couple. Prisca or Priscilla in some translation, though Priska is what the Greek would have sounded like, she was the wife of Aquila. They are mentioned in Acts 18.2-3 “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Also in 1 Cor 16:19 “The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.” And 2 Tim 4.19 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.” So this church planter team has been all around the world, and like Paul has been planting churches and growing the Kingdom. They also risked their necks for Paul, he doesn’t explain how but he continues to commend them and implies the whole gentile church also thanks them for their work.

Epaenetus gets a shout out and we start thinking at this point.... um… okay we’re in weird territory… should we just skip this when we read… I mean we could cut out verses one through sixteen right… None of these people are walking the earth today… What does any of this matter?

Paul is leading by example and commending by grace. First he keeps these connections all over as best he can. Paul was not a solo apostle. When we are working for the kingdom we don’t do so alone.

Romans 16:6 ESV

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

We also recognize those serve the Kingdom well.

Romans 16:7 ESV

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

It’s one thing to tell people you know someone famous, it’s another for that famous person to call you out as someone close to them. These two were fellow prisoners with Paul for the sake of Christ, they were believers who came to Christ before Paul did and had such a ministry that the apostles were all aware of them.

Romans 16:8–10 ESV

Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.

In several cases Paul calls some people his kinsman, I don’t think he’s meaning brother or sister in Christ. It’s likely they’re also from the tribe of Benjamin like Paul himself was. Rom 11.1

Romans 16:11–13 ESV

Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

With this list growing ever longer it also gives us a feeling of how close the family of God feels here across the world that Paul knows so many in the churches of Rome. It’s strange that a large list actually gives us a sense of closeness and small community.

Romans 16:14–16 ESV

Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, 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 greet you.

And we finish the greetings with merely a list. Of course the commendation is also for us to great each other with a holy kiss and know that the churches around the world send greeting. Almost and implied ‘of course they do’

Romans 16:17 ESV

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.

Oh, now by contrast we get the opposite of a commendation for the divisors and obstacle makers. Avoid them!

Romans 16:18–20 ESV

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

An encouragement about the church of Rome is given that their obedience is something they’re known for. I also love the contrast of peace crushing Satan, and something important here God does the work but it’s under their feet.

Now the greetings from those with Paul comes.

Romans 16:21–23 ESV

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 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.

Wait the guy who wrote the letter? I thought it was Paul who wrote it? Yes and no. Tertius was an amanuenses. You needed a trained professional to write very neatly, accurately, and small enough to save the costs. The written words had no punctuation, no spaces between words and filled up the page as completely as possible.

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

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 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— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

A complete closing line giving God glory in one long run-on sentence. We say amen and thanks be to God for preserved work of Paul in having this written down for the church in Rome, and for the church in Tell city.