Romans 16

Romans 16:1-2 (Phoebe)

(16:1-16) “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; ² that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”

This is a “letter of commendation”[] from Paul on behalf of Phoebe. As a woman serving God in a patriarchal time period, it would help tremendously to have a letter of support from Paul.

Romans 16:3-16 (Long list of greetings)

(16:3-16) Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; ⁵ also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. ⁶ Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren 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. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

This shows that Paul was pretty diffuse in his friendships. He lists 26 people, and 9 of these people are women: Prisca, Mary, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, the mother of Rufus, Julia, the sister of Nereus.[] Phoebe would make it an even 10 women listed here.

Romans 16:17-20 (False teachers)

(16:17-19) “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. ¹⁸ For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. ¹⁹ For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

It seems that in every church there was the danger of false teachers.

“I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” Paul seems to be aware of Jesus’ teaching (Mt. 10:16).

(16:20) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Because we are identified with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), the promise of Genesis 3:15 is partially fulfilled in the Church itself (cf. Ps. 91:13).

Romans 16:21-23 (Paul’s friends give greetings)

(16:21-23) “Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. ²² I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. ²³ Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. ²⁴ [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]”

Gaius was personally baptized by Paul in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14).

Erastus might be attested to in an archaeological discovery in 1929. A Latin inscription in Corinth states, “Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid the pavement at his own expense.”[] An aedile was a “commissioner for public works.”[] It’s possible that Erastus was promoted to the “city treasurer.”

Romans 16:25-27 (Paul’s final prayer)

(16:25-27) “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 which has been kept secret for long ages past, ²⁶ but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”

The mystery of Christ has been revealed. This is why he calls God “the only wise God” (NIV, verse 27).

Questions for Reflection

What qualities does Paul name when encouraging his friends (vv.1-16)? What qualities does he not name?

What does this list tell us about the nature of Paul’s relationships?