Romans 16

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In this chapter, Paul closes his letter to the Romans, whom he had always wanted to teach, a desire that had yet been fulfilled on this day of writing.

 

Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

• I'd like you to note how Paul points out specifically that the women of the church helped him.

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.

• She's been of greet help to the church.
• Then Paul asks them to greet Pridcilla and Aquila, his helpers in Christ in verse 3.
• We won't go into all of the salutations, but I recommend you read them for yourself.
• You'll note in verse 13, Paul mentions his own mother.
• Evidently his mother was at Rome at this time and undoubtedly, this was one of his reasons also for wanting to go to Rome.

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 well beloved 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.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

• He's saying, if there are those who don't believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, 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.

• They make fine speeches, but certainly not for the furtherance of God's gospel.

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.

• It is remarkable that word of their obedience had travelled.
• Most of them were students of Paul's or missionaries that he had sent ahead of him.
• He's telling them to remain wise in good and stay innocent of 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.

 

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.

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,

• God has the power to establish you according to what I've told you according to the teachings of Christ, God plan that has been secret from the beginning.

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:

• God plan, foretold in the writings of the prophets, is now being made manifest of know, by the commandment of the eternal God.
• Or, the spreading of the gospel to all nations, whereby they would know what was expected of them, or their position with the Father
• 2 Peter 3:16 where Peter himself warned about Paul's in-depth writing causing confusion for some, even to their own destruction.
• "To their own destruction" can be understood as "to their own deception.

27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

 

•  The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

 

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25