Sermon notes July 20th, 2025

ROMANS 16

Whenever the early Christians traveled from one church to another, they carried letters of introduction. This was a real courtesy to the church being visited and a help to the visitor.

• So, the apostle here introduces Phoebe and asks that she be welcomed as a true believer in a manner worthy of fellow-believers. He further asks that she be assisted in every way possible. Her commendation is that she has given herself to the ministry of helping others, including Paul himself. Perhaps she was the tireless sister who was forever showing hospitality to preachers and other believers in Cenchrea.

Paul greets 28 people in the Roman church in chapter 16. We will count Phoebe here, because she is part of what we can uncover about the role of women in the church of her day.

• Two of the names, Olympas and Hermas, are rare, and it is not clear whether they were given to males or females.
• Excluding the two uncertain names, Paul greets 17 men and greets or introduces 10 women.

Next Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, who had been such valiant fellow workers of his in the service of Christ Jesus. How we can thank God for Christian couples who pour themselves out in sacrificial labor for the cause of Christ!

• In the couple Priscilla and Aquila, Aquila is the male. Priscilla is the female. They were a Jewish couple, and Aquila was a tentmaker by trade. The New Testament often mentions them together as a couple, and Priscilla's name is most times placed before Aquila's, indicating their close partnership and Priscilla's prominence in ministry.
• On one occasion Priscilla and Aquila actually risked their lives for Paul—a heroic act of which no details are given. But the apostle is grateful, and so are the churches of converted Gentiles to whom he ministered.
• Greet the church that is in their house. This means that an actual congregation of believers met in their house. 
• Church buildings were unknown until the late second century. Earlier, when Priscilla and Aquila lived in Corinth, they had a church in their house also.
• The name Epaenetus means “praiseworthy.” No doubt this first convert in the province of Achaia was true to his name. Paul speaks of him as my beloved.

Romans 16:1-6                                               New King James Version

1   I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 

2   that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

3   Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4   who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 

5   Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 

6   Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 

• The prominence of women’s names in this chapter emphasizes their wide sphere of usefulness. Mary worked like a Trojan for the saints.

ROMANS 16:7-9

7   Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

• We do not know when Adronicus and Junia were fellow prisoners with Paul. We cannot be sure whether the word countrymen means that they were close relatives of the apostle or simply fellow Jews. 
• Again, we do not know whether the expression of note among the apostles means that they were respected by the apostles or that they themselves were outstanding apostles. All we can know for certain is that they became Christians before Paul.

8   Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 

• Next we meet Amplias, beloved by the apostle. We would never have heard of any of these people except for their connection with Calvary. That is the only greatness about any of us.

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

ROMANDS 16:10-11

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

11   Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

• Herodion was probably a slave also. A countryman of Paul, he may have been the only Jewish slave belonging to the household of Aristobulus.
• Then some of the slaves belonging to Narcissus were also believers, and Paul includes them in his greetings. Even those who are lowest on the social ladder are not excluded from the choicest blessings of Christianity. The inclusion of slaves in this list of names is a lovely reminder that in Christ all social distinctions are obliterated because we are all one in Him.

ROMANDS 16:12-13

12   Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 

• Tryphena and Tryphosa had names that meant “dainty” and “luxurious,” but they were veritable workhorses in their service for the Lord. The beloved Persis was another of those women workers that are so needed in local churches but seldom appreciated until they are gone.

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

• Rufus may be the son of Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus (Matt. 27:32). He was chosen in the Lord not only as to his salvation but also as to his Christian character; that is, he was a choice saint. 
• The mother of Rufus had shown maternal kindness to Paul, and this earned his affectionate title “my mother.”

ROMANS 16:14-17

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

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

16   Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

• The holy kiss was the common mode of affectionate greeting among the saints then and is still practiced in some countries today. It is designated as a holy kiss to guard against impropriety. In our culture, the kiss is generally replaced by the handshake.
• The churches in Achaia, where Paul was writing, joined in sending their greetings.

ROMANS 16:17-18

The Apostle Paul is now done introducing his brothers and sisters in Christ. I think it’s interesting how fast he can change direction. He has been applauding us and all the other churches that have been showing such unity and love for each other. We’ve just heard the Apostle tells us to be humble and to show respect to those who he himself calls weaker in faith because they don’t find the freedom to do what you have found freedom in doing. Please pay close attention when the Apostle Paul says I urge you. 

17   Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

• The apostle cannot close the letter without a warning against ungodly teachers who might worm their way into the church. As Christians we should be on our guard against any such who form parties around themselves and set traps to destroy the faith of the unwary. 
• We should be on the lookout for any whose teaching is contrary to the sound doctrine which the Christians had learned and should avoid them completely.

18   For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 

• These false teachers are not obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ. They obey their own appetites. And they are all too successful in hoodwinking the unsuspecting by their winsome and flattering speech.
• If you’re thinking as Christians, we should never speak up against what is wrong, YOUR WRONG! 
• The phrase "wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove" comes from the Bible (Matthew 10:16) and advises followers of Jesus to be both shrewd and gentle in their interactions with the world. It means to be cautious and aware of potential dangers, like a serpent, while maintaining innocence and kindness, like a dove. This combination helps us to navigate challenges and slow the spread of their message without causing unnecessary harm or offense. Jesus said:
• V.16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves”.
• Do you realize there are things God hates?

Proverbs 6:16-19                                            New King James Version

16   These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17   A proud look,

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

18   A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

19   A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

ROMANS 16:19

19   For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore, I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 

Romans 16:19                                                   New Living Translation

19   But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

• Paul was glad that his readers’ obedience to the Lord was well known. But still he wanted them to be able to discern and obey good teaching and to be unresponsive to evil, to protect even our thoughts.

Matthew 12:25                                           New King James Version

25   But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

ROMANS 16:20-21

20   And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.                              The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

• In this way, the God who is the source of peace would give them a swift victory over Satan.
• The apostle’s characteristic benediction wishes all needed enablement for the saints as they journey toward glory.

21   Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.

ROMANS 16:22-25

22   I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

• Tertius was the one to whom Paul had dictated this epistle. He takes the liberty of adding his personal well-wishes to the readers.

23   Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 

24   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25   Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began. 

• The Epistle closes with a doxology. It is addressed to the God who can make His people stand firm in accordance with the gospel which Paul preached and which he calls my gospel. 
• There is only one way of salvation, of course; but it was entrusted to him as “the Apostle to the Gentiles,” whereas Peter, for example, preached it to the Jews. It is the public heralding of the message about Jesus Christ concerning the revelation of a marvelous truth kept secret since the world began. 
• A mystery in the New Testament is a truth never previously known, and a truth which human intellect could never discover, but one which has now been made known.

ROMANDS 16:26-27

26   but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 

27   to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen