TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Romans 16 verses 21–24
As the Apostle had before sent his own salutations to many of this church, and that of the churches round him to them all, he here adds an affectionate remembrance of them from some particular persons who were now with him, the better to promote acquaintance and fellowship among distant saints, and that the subscribing of these worthy names, known to them, might the more recommend this epistle. He mentions, 1. Some that were his particular friends, and probably known to the Roman Christians: Timotheus my work-fellow. Paul sometimes calls Timothy his son, as an inferior; but here he styles him his work-fellow, as one equal with him, such a respect does he put upon him: and Lucius, probably Lucius of Cyrene, a noted man in the church of Antioch (Act 13:1), as Jason was at Thessalonica, where he suffered for entertaining Paul (Act 17:5, Act 17:6): and Sosipater, supposed to be the same with Sopater of Berea, mentioned Act 20:4. These Paul calls his kinsmen; not only more largely, as they were Jews, but as they were in blood or affinity nearly allied to him. It seems, Paul was of a good family, that he met with so many of his kindred in several places. It is a very great comfort to see the holiness and usefulness of our kindred. 2. One that was Paul's amanuensis (Rom 16:22): I Tertius, who wrote this epistle. Paul made use of a scribe, not out of state nor idleness, but because he wrote a bad hand, which was not very legible, which he excuses, when he writes to the Galatians with his own hand (Gal 6:11): pēlikois grammasi - with what kind of letters. Perhaps this Tertius was the same with Silas; for Silas (as some think) signifies the third in Hebrew, as Tertius in Latin. Tertius either wrote as Paul dictated, or transcribed it fairly over out of Paul's foul copy. The least piece of service done to the church, and the ministers of the church, shall not pass without a remembrance and a recompence. It was an honour to Tertius that he had a hand, though but as a scribe, in writing this epistle. 3. Some others that were of note among the Christians (Rom 16:23): Gaius my host. It is uncertain whether this was Gaius of Derbe (Act 20:4), or Gaius of Macedonia (Act 19:29), or rather Gaius of Corinth (Co1 1:14), and whether any of these was he to whom John wrote his third epistle. However, Paul commends him for his great hospitality; not only my host, but of the whole church - one that entertained them all as there was occasion, opened his doors to their church-meetings, and eased the rest of the church by his readiness to treat all Christian stranger that came to them. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city is another; he means the city of Corinth, whence this epistle was dated. It seems he was a person of honour and account, one in public place, steward or treasurer. Not many mighty, not many noble, are called, but some are. His estate, and honour, and employment, did not take him off from attending on Paul and laying out himself for the good of the church, it should seem, in the work of the ministry; for he is joined with Timothy (Act 19:22), and is mentioned Ti2 4:20. It was no disparagement to the chamberlain of the city to be a preacher of the gospel of Christ. Quartus is likewise mentioned, and called a brother; for as one is our Father, even Christ, so all we are brethren.
Tertius was his name, not a number [third]. He was the scribe who wrote the epistle, and Paul allowed him to send his own greetings to the Romans.
"I Tertius, who wrote this Epistle, salute you."
This too is no small encomium, to be Paul's amanuensis. Still it is not to pass encomiums on himself that he says this, but that he might attach a warm love to him on their part, for this ministration.
Tertius was another of those who had accepted the apostle’s teaching. Being rewarded for this with the gift of expression, he was told to send this letter to the Romans.
Continue studying Romans 16:22 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Romans 16:22 presents a unique personal interjection from Tertius, the amanuensis (scribe) who physically penned Paul's letter to the believers in Rome. This brief verse serves as a direct, personal greeting from Tertius to the recipients, affirming his own connection to the Christian community and his participation in the divine work of transmitting this foundational theological epistle. It adds a human and collaborative dimension to the inspired text, highlighting the diverse individuals involved in the early Christian ministry.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Romans 16:22, though brief, employs several literary devices. The most prominent is Personal Interjection, where Tertius, the amanuensis, directly addresses the audience, breaking the narrative voice of Paul. This creates a moment of Metatextuality, drawing attention to the physical act of writing the letter itself and the human agents involved in its transmission. The phrase "in the Lord" functions as a form of Theological Qualification, elevating a common social greeting to a spiritual declaration, emphasizing the shared identity and spiritual bond among believers. This also subtly employs Synecdoche, where the "Lord" represents the entire sphere of Christian faith, community, and shared life.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Tertius's brief interjection in Romans 16:22 serves as a powerful reminder of the collaborative nature of God's work and the value of every individual's contribution, no matter how seemingly "behind the scenes." It underscores the reality that divine inspiration often works through human instruments, highlighting the partnership between God and humanity in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. This verse also emphasizes the profound unity and fellowship that exists "in the Lord," where greetings are not mere formalities but expressions of a shared spiritual identity and purpose, binding believers together across diverse roles and locations. It speaks to the relational core of the Christian faith, where the body of Christ functions through the interconnectedness and mutual affirmation of its members.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 16:22 invites us to consider the often-unseen but vital roles played by individuals in God's kingdom. Just as Tertius faithfully transcribed Paul's inspired words, many in the church today serve in supportive capacities that are essential for ministry to flourish. This verse encourages us to value and affirm every member of the body of Christ, recognizing that each contribution, whether prominent or humble, is significant "in the Lord." It also challenges us to infuse our own greetings and interactions with genuine spiritual warmth and recognition of our shared identity in Christ. When we greet one another "in the Lord," we are not just being polite; we are affirming a profound spiritual bond, strengthening the ties of fellowship, and reminding ourselves of the unity we share in Christ. This small verse calls us to appreciate the collaborative spirit of the church and to participate actively, whatever our role, in building up the community of faith with love and intentionality.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was Tertius and what was his significance?
Answer: Tertius was the amanuensis, or professional scribe, whom Paul employed to write down the Epistle to the Romans as Paul dictated it. His significance lies in his unique personal interjection in Romans 16:22, where he extends his own greeting to the Roman believers. This brief moment highlights the human element in the transmission of divinely inspired Scripture and underscores the collaborative nature of early Christian ministry. While we know very little else about Tertius from the biblical text, his name is immortalized as the one who physically penned one of the most profound theological documents in Christian history.
Why did Paul use an amanuensis, and why is Tertius's greeting unique?
Answer: Paul, like many ancient authors, commonly used an amanuensis due to the practicalities of writing in that era, which included the expense of materials, the time involved, and potentially Paul's own poor eyesight, as suggested in Galatians 6:11. While Paul would often add a personal postscript in his own hand for authentication (e.g., 1 Corinthians 16:21), Tertius's greeting is unique because it is the scribe himself, rather than the apostle, who offers a direct personal salutation within the body of the letter. This suggests that Tertius was not merely a hired hand but a fellow believer, deeply connected to Paul and the broader Christian community, whose personal regard for the Roman church was significant enough to be included in the inspired text.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 16:22, though a personal greeting from a scribe, points to the Christ-centered reality of Christian fellowship and ministry. Tertius's salutation "in the Lord" signifies that all genuine Christian connection and service are rooted in and defined by Jesus Christ. Just as Tertius served as an instrument for Paul to convey the Gospel, Christ Himself is the ultimate medium through whom God communicates His redemptive plan to humanity. He is the "Word made flesh" (John 1:14), the perfect expression of God's will and love. Our ability to "salute" one another "in the Lord" is a direct result of Christ's work, who broke down all barriers and created "one new humanity in place of the two" (Ephesians 2:14-15). Every act of service, every greeting, and every collaborative effort within the church finds its meaning and power in Him, for it is "through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). Tertius's brief appearance thus reminds us that all ministry, whether prominent or hidden, is ultimately for the glory of Christ and empowered by our shared union with Him, the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18).