Romans16

The Apostle Paul concludes his epistle to the Romans by commending Phebe and sending extensive greetings to numerous individuals and households in Rome, acknowledging their service and relationships within the early Christian community. He then issues a strong warning against those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine, urging believers to avoid such deceivers. The chapter concludes with greetings from Paul's companions and a powerful doxology, glorifying God for the revelation of the gospel and His power to establish believers.
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Commendation of Phoebe, Letter Bearer

1
I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreæ: ​
2
that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self. ​

Greetings to Roman Believers

3
Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, ​
4
who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: ​
5
and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epænetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ. ​
6
Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. ​
7
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. ​
8
Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.
9
Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10
Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus.
11
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.
12
Salute Tryphæna and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
13
Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. ​
14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.
15
Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.
16
Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you. ​

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. ​
18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. ​
19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.
20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ​

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

21
Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. ​
22
I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. ​
23
Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother. ​
24
Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

Concluding Doxology

25
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, ​
26
but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: ​
27
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

Study Notes for Romans 16

Verse 1

Phoebe is commended as a 'servant' (diakonos, often translated deaconess) of the church in Cenchrea (the eastern port of Corinth). She likely carried this letter to Rome, highlighting the leadership roles women held in the early church.

Verse 2

Phoebe is described as a 'succourer' (patroness or protector), indicating she used her social standing or wealth to support and assist many believers, including Paul himself.

Verse 3

Priscilla and Aquila, a prominent missionary couple, had worked closely with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus (Acts 18). They had likely returned to Rome after the edict expelling Jews was lifted.

Verse 4

The phrase 'laid down their own necks' is hyperbole signifying extreme personal danger they endured to protect Paul, perhaps during the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41).

Verse 5

The 'church that is in their house' illustrates the common structure of early Christian worship, meeting in private homes before dedicated church buildings existed. Epaenetus is honored as the first convert in Achaia (Greece).

Verse 6

Mary is one of several women mentioned in this chapter who are singled out for their extensive 'labour' (kópos), often referring to dedicated, exhausting service within the ministry.

Verse 7

Andronicus and Junia are noted as 'kinsmen' (likely fellow Jews) and 'fellowprisoners' of Paul. The phrase 'of note among the apostles' suggests they were highly respected and possibly recognized as apostles themselves; Junia is likely a female name.

Verse 13

Rufus may be the son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21), a family known in the early gospel tradition. Paul’s affectionate reference to Rufus’s mother as 'and mine' implies a deep, personal maternal bond.

Verse 16

The 'holy kiss' was a customary, formal greeting used in the early church as a sign of spiritual fellowship, unity, and peace.

Verse 17

Paul abruptly shifts to a serious warning, urging the Roman church to identify and avoid those who create factions and obstacles contrary to the apostolic teaching they had received.

Verse 18

Paul denounces false teachers as being motivated by self-interest and physical appetite ('their own belly') rather than the Lord, using deceptive flattery ('fair speeches') to mislead the naive.

Verse 20

This promise echoes the protoevangelium (Gen 3:15), assuring the believers that the ultimate victory over Satan and destructive forces will be swift and complete through God’s power.

Verse 21

Paul’s co-workers—including Timothy and several 'kinsmen'—add their greetings, reinforcing the communal nature of the ministry and the widespread support for the Roman church.

Verse 22

Tertius identifies himself as the amanuensis, or scribe, who physically wrote the letter under Paul’s dictation. It was customary for the scribe to include a personal salutation.

Verse 23

Erastus, identified as the 'chamberlain' (oikonomos or treasurer/director of public works), confirms that Christianity had reached high-ranking officials in Corinth, where Paul was writing this letter.

Verse 25

This extended doxology (Vv. 25-27) serves as a formal liturgical conclusion, summarizing the core theological message of Romans: the Gospel centers on Jesus Christ and the revelation of a mystery (the inclusion of Gentiles) previously hidden but now made manifest.

Verse 26

The mystery is revealed through prophetic scriptures and divine commandment, ensuring that the message of salvation is now universally known ('made known to all nations') to elicit the 'obedience of faith.'

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