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.

Commendation of Phoebe, Letter Bearer

I am introducing to you our sister Phoebe, shammash of the congregation at Cenchrea,

so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as God’s people should, and give her whatever assistance she may need from you; for she has been a big help to many people — including myself.

Greetings to Roman Believers

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers for the Messiah Yeshua.

They risked their necks to save my life; not only I thank them, but also all the Messianic communities among the Gentiles.

And give my greetings to the congregation that meets in their house. Give my greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in the province of Asia to put his trust in the Messiah.

Give my greetings to Miryam, who has worked very hard for you.

Greetings to Andronicus and Junia, relatives of mine who were in prison with me. They are well known among the emissaries; also they came to trust in the Messiah before I did.

Greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

Greetings to Urbanus, our fellow worker for the Messiah, and to my dear friend Stachys.

Greetings to Appeles, whose trust in the Messiah has been tested and proved. Greet those in the household of Aristobulus.

Greet my relative, Herodion.

Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who are working hard for the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has done a lot of hard work for the Lord.

Greet Rufus, chosen by the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me too.

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

Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all of God’s people who are with them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Messiah’s congregations send their greetings to you.

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put snares alongside the teaching in which you have been trained — keep away from them.

For men like these are not serving our Lord the Messiah but their own belly; by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the innocent.

For everyone has heard about your obedience; therefore I rejoice over you. However, I want you to be wise concerning good, but innocent concerning evil.

And God, the source of shalom, will soon crush the Adversary under your feet. The grace of our Lord Yeshua be with you.

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

Timothy, my fellow-worker, sends greetings to you; so do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

I, Tertius, the one writing down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

My host Gaius, in whose home the whole congregation meets, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer and brother Quartus greet you.

Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

Concluding Doxology

Now to God, who can strengthen you, according to my Good News, in harmony with the revelation of the secret truth which is the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah, kept hidden in silence for ages and ages,

but manifested now through prophetic writings, in keeping with the command of God the Eternal, and communicated to all the Gentiles to promote in them trust-grounded obedience —

to the only wise God, through Yeshua the Messiah, be the glory forever and 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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Romans16

Commendation of Phoebe, Letter Bearer

Greetings to Roman Believers

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

Concluding Doxology

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