Romans 16:1-16

Text

Romans 16:1-16. I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.

Romans 16:3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, Romans 16:4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: Romans 16:5 and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ. Romans 16:6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. Romans 16:8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. Romans 16:9 Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Romans 16:10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus. Romans 16:11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. Romans 16:12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Romans 16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. Romans 16:15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. Romans 16:16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 16:1-16

639.

Was Phoebe a deaconess?

640.

If she wasn-'t an official servant, why does Paul so speak of her as in Romans 16:1? Locate Cenchreae.

641.

Give the meaning of the expression worthily of the saints.

642.

In what possible manner would Phoebe need the saints in Rome?

643.

What work can women do in the church? What assistance do you imagine Phoebe was to many and to Paul?

644.

Paul has high words of praise for Prisca and Aquila. At what possible time and place did they risk their lives for Paul?

645.

Give three facts about these two as found in other references.

646.

Name three churches of the Gentiles that could have been involved in the thankfulness.

647.

Did the whole church in Rome meet in the house of Prisca and Aquila?

648.

What quality of character does the mentioning of all these names suggest?

649.

Someone had been in jail with Paul; they had become very well known and respected by the apostles. Who were they?

650.

There was one in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings who had proven himself by suffering. Who was it?

651.

How many women and men are mentioned? Count them.

652.

Did Paul have relatives among these in Rome? Who were they?

653.

Why call the kiss of greeting a holy kiss?

654.

Is the church ever referred to as the church of Christ? Be careful: is it church, or churches?

Paraphrase

Romans 16:1-16. I recommend to you who are in Rome, Phoebe our sister in the faith, who is a deaconess of the church which is in Cenchreae.

Romans 16:2 And I desire that ye may show her the respect due to a faithful servant of Christ, as becometh his disciples to do to a person of her excellent character, and assist her in whatever business she may have need of your good offices. For indeed she hath been a helper of many, and of myself also.

Romans 16:3 In my name wish health to Priscilla and Aquila her husband, my assistants in preaching the gospel at Corinth.

Romans 16:4 These excellent persons to save my life exposed themselves to death; to whom therefore, not I only am thankful, but even all the churches of the Gentiles, who consider themselves as indebted to them, for preserving the life of their apostle and spiritual father.

Romans 16:5 Likewise, with health to the members of the church which is in their house. Salute Epaenetus, whom I dearly love because he is the first person I converted in the province of Achaia.

Romans 16:6 Salute Mary, who underwent great fatigue in spreading the gospel along with us.

Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junias my kinsmen, and formerly prisoners with me for the sake of Christ, who are in high estimation among the apostles on account of their talents and virtues, and who were in the church of Christ before me.

Romans 16:8 Salute Amplias, whom I dearly love on account of his sincere attachment to Christ.

Romans 16:9 Salute Urbanus, who assisted me in preaching Christ; and Stachys, whom I sincerely love on account of the goodness of his disposition.

Romans 16:10 Salute Apelles, who, by sustaining many persecutions, hath approved himself a firm Christian. Salute the brethren who are of the family of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:11 Salute in my name, Herodion my kinsman. Salute those members of the family of Narcissus who are converted to Christianity.

Romans 16:12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who employ themselves in maintaining the cause of Christ at Rome. Salute Persis, the beloved of all who know her, and who hath laboured much in promoting the cause of Christ.

Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus, who is a most excellent Christian; and do the same to her who is his mother, and, because of her affection to me, my mother also.

Romans 16:14 In my name salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren in their families.

Romans 16:15 In my name salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the Christians who are in their families.

Romans 16:16 To show that Christian affection which ye bear to each other, salute one another with a chaste kiss. The churches of Christ at Corinth and Cenchreae, and in all the province of Achaia, salute you.

Summary

Phoebe, a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae, is commended to the disciples, while they, on their part, are requested to receive her as the holy should receive the holy, and to aid her in whatever business she might need them. After this, various brethren, several of them Paul's kinsmen, and also various sisters, are most honorably mentioned, and the brotherhood requested to greet them. Usually, as each person is named, some distinguishing trait or circumstance is named with him, showing how closely the Apostle studied characters, and how generously he awarded praise. The section sheds much light upon the religious life and social habits of life in the first century.

Comment

2.

Commendations, Warnings, Salutations and Benedictions. Romans 16:1-27.

A Commendation and Salutations. Romans 16:1-16

The fact that Phoebe alone is commended by Paul to the brethren in Rome suggests the thought that she was by herself, and possibly the one who delivered the letter to the church at Rome. Was Phoebe a servant of the church at Cenchreae in the official sense? It makes little difference since she served the church. We really cannot know. She performed her service with the Apostle's sanction. Whether such women are officially appointed or not, we need more of them. The poor, the sick and the untaught in the community need them. Cenchreae was the seaport of Corinth. Paul visited here on his second missionary journey.
Here is a high recommendation for Phoebe. Receive her as a Christian; help her in whatever way she may need you, for she has been a helper of many and of my own self. We have no way of knowing what the business was in Rome. Evidently Phoebe came for that very purpose. What a splendid epithet, a helper of many. Did Phoebe have money of her own to enable her to do this? Was she a widow, since no husband is mentioned? These are conjectures of the commentators. The nature of the assistance given to Paul is also a conjecture.
Since Paul is writing this letter from Corinth, the names of Prisca and Aquila are very much in place since Corinth was where Paul met them. Even when first mentioned, we learn they had once lived in Rome. They are now again in the imperial city. From the nature of the greeting, we could suggest they were at Rome to labor for Christ. Paul worked with them as a tentmaker and they worked with him in preaching and teaching Christ, Prisca and Aquila had the high honor of offering their life for that of Paul. Just where and when we are not told, Paul was in danger many times and in many places. It could have been at Ephesus or even Corinth. The churches in the region around Corinth and Ephesus join in the gratitude expressed to these two. Could it be that the churches of the Gentiles heard of how Paul's life was spared?

396.

What high recommendation did Paul give to Phoebe?

397.

Give three facts about Prisca and Aquila.

398.

Who was Epaenetus?

399.

Mary of verse six is an example for women today. How?

In the home of Prisca and Aquila a group of Christians met to worship. To this assembled group Paul wanted greetings sent. Would not this be the answer to the problem of moving into a community where there is no church? Start one in your home.
Verse five mentions one held in high esteem by Paul. One of the first to accept Christ in Asia was at Ephesus, or Philedelphia, or Laodecia. We know not, but Epaenetus was first in conversion and one of the first in memory.
What is the work of the women in the kingdom of God? There is much to be done. In verse six we find a Mary who found much to do for the saints in Rome. Did she do it at Rome, or was it done for them at some other place? Both are possibilities. The point is, she labored much and so should the women of today.

In Andronicus and Junias we might have a suggestion as to how the church began in Rome. It could have been as Lard suggests, and several others, these two men were among the strangers of Rome in Acts 2:10. This would account for them being in Christ before Paul and of becoming of note among the apostles. What they did to receive this distinction most assuredly related to service for Christ. Just when these two were imprisoned with Paul, we do not know, but Paul remembers them with him in one of the several prisons where he was held. These two men seem to be blood relatives of Paul.

What a great man was Paul! He need not mention all these persons in his letter, but he does. He has a sincere word of commendation for each one. He was great in intellect, ardent in feeling, and tender in affection as a woman. Why did Paul especially love Ampliatus? Could it be because he was one of his converts?
Verse nine introduces two interesting persons. When had Urbanus labored with Paul? It must have been for an extended period of time to give him this title. We wonder what close association Paul had with Stachys to give him such a tender greeting.

400.

Is there any hint in these verses as to how the church started in Rome? If so what?

401.

How is the greatness of Paul seen in the mention of the names of so many in his greetings?

402.

Who was Apelles?

403.

Which one was Paul's relative?

It is good to know someone who has come through many tribulations with robes pure and white. Such a tried disciple and friend was Apelles. The family of a man named Aristobulus comes to mind. The family was in Rome. Where was Aristobulus? We simply do not know. Any answer is only conjecture.
In verse eleven it would seem one of Paul's relatives had not distinguished himself, for no descriptive word is given. Yet Paul does want to send him greetings. The house of Narcissus was one of great repute in the days of Paul. Not all in the house were in the Lord. The ones who were Christians were the object of the greeting.
Verse twelve indicates Tryphaena and Tryphosa were engaged in working for the Lord as the letter was being written. What was the work of these two women? There were many Apollos's to be taught. There was much in the area of special service for the church, even as there is today. Persis is yet another woman who worked for Christ. How can we think Paul felt that women had no place in the church when so many are here mentioned as fellow laborers?
Verse thirteen suggests two different expressions concerning Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and the mother of Rufus, his mother and mine. How shall we interpret these expressions? Chosen in the Lord refers to the character of the man, not to elected in the sense used by some. Rufus was regarded by Paul as an outstanding person, endowed with abilities, and in this sense chosen. As to the mother of Rufus, we believe the expression is used in a figurative manner. his mother literally, mine by courtesy. Such a relationship exists today with certain elderly women whom we call mother in respect.
There is a great deal of traditional material available regarding each of the names in this chapter. Since it is only tradition we do not deem it worthy of mention. In verse fourteen are five brothers and certain others, probably their families and other relatives. Of them, we know nothing more than they were worthy of a greeting.
Verse fifteen gives another list of worthy persons unknown to us. The mention of all the holy brethren with them might suggest a church in the section of Rome where they live. The same would be true of verse fourteen. It could be that such men were elders in the churches.

404.

Was Rufus elected by God? Explain.

405.

There seems to be a suggestion of several congregations in these verseshow so?

406.

Give the meaning of the expression holy kiss.

407.

How is the name churches of Christ here used?

The greeting of the early Christians is enjoined in verse sixteen. The custom of so greeting one another existed when Paul wrote. He says make the greeting holy or pure. It is easy to see how it could be otherwise, We do not use this mode of greeting; therefore it is not applicable to us, Paul does not create a form of greeting for Christians; he rather shows how to use the one then existing.
The churches in Achaia, and they were no doubt numerous, are here designated churches of Christ. What they are called in plural form we assume they could be called singly. Perhaps some heard of Paul's letter to Rome and came to send their greetings on behalf of the churches of Christ. Surely this is a very worthy name, but no more so than any other scriptural designation.

408.

Account for the introduction of the subject of division at this place.

409.

Who in particular are to be noticed here?

410.

Why do some want to have a following of their own?

411.

What should we do with our opinions?

Rethinking in Outline Form

2.

Commendations, Warnings, Salutations and Benedictions. Romans 16:1-27.

a.

Commendation. Romans 16:1-2.

b.

Salutations. Romans 16:3-16.

(1)

Prisca and Aquila. Romans 16:3-5 a cf. Acts 18:2; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19.

(2)

The many salutations. Romans 16:5 b - Romans 16:15.

(3)

Salute one another with a holy kiss. Romans 16:16 a.

(4)

The greeting of the churches of Christ in Corinth and in other places to those of Rome. Romans 16:16.

c.

Warnings to those who cause divisions. Romans 16:17-20.

(1)

Mark those who cause the divisions. Romans 16:17 a.

Probably the Judaizing teachers who wanted to impose the law upon the Gentiles.

(2)

They are bringing a contrary doctrine. Romans 16:17 b.

(3)

To turn away from them. Romans 16:17 c.

(4)

Who they serve. Romans 16:18 a.

(5)

The method of their deception. Romans 16:18 b.

(6)

What they do. Romans 16:18 c.

(7)

Paul rejoices in the Roman's obedience and wants the troublemakers put down, Romans 16:19.

(8)

God to give the victory. Romans 16:20.

d.

Salutations of Paul's companions. Romans 16:21-24.

(1)

Timothy with Paul at this time. cf. Acts 20:4.

(2)

Lucius. cf. Acts 13:1.

(3)

Sopister. cf. Acts 20:4.

(4)

Tertius. The scribe unknown.

(5)

Gaius. cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14.

(6)

Erastus. cf. Acts 19:22; 2 Timothy 4:20.

(7)

Quartus. Unknown.

e.

Closing Doxology. Romans 16:25-27.

(1)

Commended to God. Romans 16:25 cf. Ephesians 3:20; Jude 1:24.

(2)

That God would establish them in truth which in times past was a mystery but now has been revealed through the message Paul brought; namely, the salvation of the Gentiles. Romans 16:26-27.