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.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Commendation of Phoebe, Letter Bearer

1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: ​
2
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. ​

Greetings to Roman Believers

3
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: ​
4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. ​
5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. ​
6
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. ​
7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ​
8
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. ​
14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15
Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. ​

Warnings Against Division and False Teaching

17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. ​
18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. ​
19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. ​

Greetings from Paul’s Companions

21
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. ​
22
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. ​
23
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. ​
24
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Concluding Doxology

25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, ​
26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: ​
27
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ 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.'

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options