Lesson 34
R
omans 16: 1-27, the grand finale
VV 1-2, 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.
Paul exhorted his audience to receive and assist Phoebe, a sister from the church in Cenchrea, who was his co-worker in the gospel. Paul had entrusted Phoebe to take the Book of Romans from Corinth to Rome to read out the entire letter to the congregation at the Romans house church.
VV 3-8, 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.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. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
Paul greeted, acknowledged, named, and thanked, Priscilla, Aquila, Epaeneus, Mary, Andronicus, Junia, and Amplias.
VV 9-16, 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 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. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 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.
Paul greeted, acknowledged, named, and thanked, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, those from the household of Aristobulus, Herodian, those from the household of Narcissus, Trphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Heres, Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and Olympas.
VV 17-20, 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them. 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. 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. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Paul exhorted his audience, to stay away from false teachers who indoctrinate false doctrines, promote evil influences, deceptions, and divisions to the church. These self-serving, sweet-talking, and lying teachers do not serve the Lord. Paul commended his audience for their obedience. He prayed for them to triumph over satan and pronounced the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ on them.
VV 21-24, 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 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.
Paul greeted, acknowledge, named, and thanked, Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, and Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus. Paul did not write Romans with his own hand. Paul dictated the the Book of Romans to Tertius, his secretary or amanuensis, who wrote on his behalf. Paul pronounced a blessing of grace to his audience.
VV 25-27, 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 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.
The Book of Romans is the gospel according to Paul. Paul prayed for God to establish his audience according his gospel and through the teaching of Jesus Christ. Paul ended his magnificent Book of Romans with a beautiful doxology, prayer, and Amen.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the energy, strength, perseverance, and divine enablement to complete the Book of Romans. It had been a long, comprehensive, exhaustive, bumpy, wonderful, and enriching journey of faith. Thank You for the blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
