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 to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. ​
2
Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me. ​

Greetings to Roman Believers

3
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ​
4
who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. ​
5
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. ​
6
Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. ​
7
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. ​
8
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
9
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
10
Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11
Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. ​
14
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.
15
Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings. ​

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

17
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. ​
18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. ​
19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about 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. ​

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

21
Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen. ​
22
I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. ​
23
Gaius, who has hosted me and all the church, sends you greetings. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you greetings, as does our brother Quartus. ​
24
Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

Concluding Doxology

25
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past ​
26
but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith— ​
27
to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! 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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