The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 16:1-16)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 16:1-16)

This week we will conclude our reading of chapter 16, verses 1-16 as we consider Paul’s Commendations and Greetings to the Saints…

As we begin this final chapter of the book of Romans, it is very likely one that you may have never really studied. It may even be a chapter that you can't even “remember” reading because as soon as you began and saw all those “believers” names, you may have just skipped over them! However, it is by far the most extensive, intimate and specific of all the “personal” and “loving” words of “greetings” to ever come from the inspired “heart” and “mind” of the “Apostle Paul.” 

We will find a myriad of names specifically identifying the “believers” who were a part of Paul’s personal “life” and “ministry” endeavors. The emphasis of this closing chapter is to demonstrate Paul’s “love,” mutual “accountability” and his interdependence on these godly “brethren” within a “community” of the “redeemed” in “Jesus Christ” – It truly is a rich and thrilling chapter!

  

Sister Phoebe Commended!

 

To begin with, we see the “commendation” of Paul given toward a certain “sister” within the “church” in “Cenchrea”:

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 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 – Romans 16:1-2

This masterful “epistle” was delivered to “Rome” by a very special “Christian” lady by the name of “Phoebe” and that is why Paul “commends” her to the “saints” in “Rome.” This very valuable “message” was carried by a “sister” that Paul trusted and “loved” in “Jesus Christ” and he “gives” her this tremendous “ministry” – An awesome opportunity!

 

As “Christians” traveled around in the first-century “Roman” world, letters of “commendation” allowed them to be “received in the Lord” with “love” into varying “communities” and were shown “hospitality” and “help” for whatever matters of “business” they needed to address concerning their “ministry” endeavors – A key ministry support tool!

 

The word for “servant” here is prostatis and in the “Jewish” community referred to a “wealthy supporter.” Therefore, this dear “sister” was a wealthy supporter of the church at “Cenchreae” of which may very well have met in her private home. In fact, “Phoebe” may have been to the “church” at “Rome” what “Lydia” was to the “church” at “Philippi”: 

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us – Acts 16:14-15

It is quite possible that “Phoebe” also offered direct “support” to the apostle Paul himself. By the way, the name “Phoebe” means "bright and radiant" – A wonderful Christian testimony!

 

REMINDER: Paul is writing this important “epistle” to the “Romans“ from the city of “Corinth” which is located in what we now know as Greece. And the city of “Rome” is located in what we now know as Italy – A very significant journey!

 

Greeting The Roman Saints

 

Next Paul shares a list of “believers” names displaying his “love” as he “greets” the “saints” in “Jesus Christ.” Paul “knew” who “supported” him as an essential part of his “life” in “ministry” and he recognizes these 24 individuals – 17 men & 7 women – and two “households” along with some unnamed “brothers” & “sisters” in the “Savior” who are in this “Roman” fellowship. 

 

That said, let's enter into these cordial “greetings” of which displays to us Paul's “heart” for the many “saints” who “served” alongside of him…

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ – Romans 16:3-5

“Priscilla” and “Aquila” were not “apostles“ or “prophets” of the Bible. However, they were Paul’s “fellow workers” and “severed” in the same “trade” specialty – Tent makers!

and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers – Acts 18:3

Like the Apostle Paul who used his “tent making” profession to support his bi-vocational “ministry” activities, apparently “Priscilla” and “Aquila” used their “tent making” skills to support their own “ministry” in the proclamation of the “Gospel” as well. These “saints” also ”risked their own necks“ for Paul as well as “all” of the “churches of the Gentiles” not to mention that this “church” fellowship was meeting “in their house” – An excellent home church!

 

Paul then “greets” “Epaenetus” the “firstfruits” of “Achaia” – the first “Christian” convert in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). There's little doubt that there was something significant about this “first” convert in Asia and “Epaenetus” obviously reserved a special place of affection in the “heart” of Paul – Wonderful Salvation!

 

Then “Mary” who “labored much” was noted:

Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me – Romans 16:6-7

There are six women in the New Testament who have the name “Mary” – a very common name. Although the Scriptures don't tell us who this “Mary” is, this dear “sister” obviously had given much “labor” to the “church” and may have been acquainted with Paul through the “testimony” of “Priscilla” and “Aquila.” The fact that it's in the past tense seems to indicate that by this time “Mary” may have been very old and her “labor” of “love” was now much behind her – A beautiful commitment!

 

Paul then “greets” both “Andronicus” and “Junia” who were his Jewish “countrymen” and “fellow prisoners” in the “faith” as they too evidently had paid the price of imprisonment for the “Gospel!” They were also “apostles” of the “churches” – sent ones. Perhaps these two “saints” were even related to Paul and thus wanted to “greet” them who were “saved” in “in Christ” before him – Praise the Lord!

 

Next are “Amplias” Paul’s “beloved” in the “Lord” and “Urbanus” a “fellow worker” and “Stachys” also a “beloved” one:

Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved – Romans 16:8-9

Although nothing more is known about “Amplias” from the Scriptures, he was most likely a slave in the imperial household of “Rome.” We also know nothing else of the other two “saints” named “Urbanus” and “Stachys.” However, “Urbanus” is a very common “Roman” name and it suggests that he was a native “Gentile.” And “Stachys” is a very unusual Greek name – it means “ear of corn.” It would be like naming your son Cob! Again, Paul doesn't have any compunction about expressing his deep “love” to these “believers” in the “church” at “Rome” – Thank you Paul!

 

Then there are “Apelles” who is “approved in Christ” and the “household of Aristobulus” and “Herodion” as well as the “household of Narcissus”:

Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my countryman, Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord – Romans 16:10-11

Nothing more is known about “Apelles” other than he is “dokimos in Christ” – a “tried,” “tested,” “proven,” “faithful” and dependable “brother.” Notice Paul doesn't greet “Aristobulus” himself, so we could assume that he is not a “Christian” in the “church” but some of his “household” were indeed “believers.” In studying history around this time we find that it's likely that this man “Aristobulus” may have been the blood-brother of “Herod Agrippa” and the grandson of “Herod the Great.” The “Gospel” has perhaps divided this family. It is here we learn something about the Biblical “Gospel” of the first-century “church.” It was Biblically divisive – Just as Jesus promised!

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it – Matthew 10:34-39

Then Paul mentions “Herodion, my countryman” who is a “Jewish” relative of Paul and definitely has a relationship to the family of “Herod the Great.” Therefore, we can perhaps speculate that there was within the imperial “household” a growing congregation of “brethren” who “loved” the “Savior” – Divine duty!

 

Then Paul mentions the “household of Narcissus” who are “in the Lord.” Again, “Narcissus” is not identified as a “believer” but there were “saints” in his “household.” In fact, history tells us that “Narcissus” was an extraordinarily wealthy free man who was secretary to the Emperor Claudius and exercised a tremendous influence over the emperor – A great ministry opportunity for the Gospel!

 

Next on Paul’s list are three “sisters” – “Tryphena” & “Tryphosa” and “Persis” along with a “brother” named “Rufus”:

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine – Romans 16:12-13

The two names “Tryphena” and “Tryphosa” mean “delicate” and “dainty” of whom had “labored in the Lord.” And although we don’t know anything else about them, they may have indeed been “dainty” and “delicate” but they sure “labored” for the “Lord” – Worked hard for Him!

Then Paul mentions “Persis” which literally means a “Persian woman.” In the church at “Rome” there was actually a Persian woman who “loved” Jesus Christ – All nations in Christ!

Next we see “Rufus” who was “chosen in the Lord” and is the only “saint” mentioned in this way. All Christians are “chosen” in the “Lord” and perhaps Paul is identifying “Rufus” in this manner for the sake of varying his pace of “greetings” to these folks. Who is “Rufus” anyway? – Good question!

The Gospel of Mark tells us that “Rufus” is the son of “Simon of Cyrene” – the man who carried the “cross” of Jesus Christ…

They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross – Mark 15:21

Paul then says “and his mother and mine.” Does this mean that “Rufus” and Paul are biological brothers? No! What Paul is saying is the “mother” of “Rufus” was an excellent “mother” indeed! We don't know anything about Paul's biological “mother” but there was this “woman” who became a personal, loving spiritual “mother” to him – Awesome!

 

Next Paul lists “Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes” of whom are five men we don't know anything about. But they certainly enjoyed the “brethren” within a “church” home “who are with them” in true “fellowship”:

Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them – Romans 16:14-15

Here Paul takes the opportunity to say “hello to those “brethren’ who are leaders of the assembly within the entire ”Roman“ church and don’t forget “all the saints” who are with “Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas.“– Wonderful!

 

Then Paul closes this precious passage with a final “greeting” of his “love” for these “brethren” in “Rome”:

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

In other words, “Greet” everybody in the customary mode of the “church” with a “holy kiss” and all the “churches” in Jesus Christ “greet” you as well." We could describe ourselves here too, couldn’t we? Some of us are currently “laboring in the Lord” and others of us have “labored much in the Lord.” There are those of us who have “endured hardship” and those who are willing to “give their lives” for “one another” if necessary. There are those who are “beloved” and those who have been “used” by God to “reach others” for the “Gospel” of “Jesus Christ.” These are the “brethren” only Paul “knows” about and he “loves” them dearly – And would kiss them if he could!

 

In closing:

 

The wonderful “character” of Paul's “heart” and strong network of “loving” relationships is what made his great “ministry” possible! It is here where we find one of the clearest insights into the “community” of “believers” in the first-century “church” and how they functioned together in “life” for God’s glory.

 

Letters of “commendation” are referred to throughout the New Testament. In the book of Acts we find one of them referring to “Apollos”:

And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace – Acts 18:27

Here “Apollos” is moving along in his “ministry” journeys. He is a mighty “preacher” of the Old Testament “Scriptures” and a “faithful servant” of the Most High God. He is “commended” in a “letter” so that the “saints” will “know” to “receive” him, to demonstrate “hospitality” to him and to not be “fearful” but to be responsible for his personal care – True Christian ministry!

 

We've all gotten letters that say something like “Say hello and kiss everybody in your family for me!” This is Paul’s family “fellowship” in “Jesus Christ.” This is true “Christian” intimacy. This “humble” man of God “knew” what it was to “stand” for the “Truth” but he also “knew” what it was to “love” his people. And that's the mark of the uniqueness of Paul’s wonderful “character” in Jesus Christ – May this be said of us as well!

Please continue reading verses 1-16 of the sixteenth chapter of Romans.

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Shane K. Morin <><

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