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 commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a shammash of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the holy ones, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

Greetings to Roman Believers

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Messiah Yeshua,

who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.

Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Messiah.

Greet Miriam, who labored much for us.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the emissaries, who also were in Messiah before me.

Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Messiah, and Stachys, my beloved.

Greet Apelles, the approved in Messiah. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

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

Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the holy ones who are with them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Messiah greet you.

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you.

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all! Amen.

Concluding Doxology

TR places Romans 14:24-26 at the end of Romans instead of at the end of chapter 14, and numbers these verses 16:25-27.

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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