Chapter 16 contains Paul’s closing greetings. Phebe appears to have been the one who carried the letter, and Paul includes a commendation for her so the believers in Rome would receive her freely and without hesitation. She had helped many people—and even Paul himself—through her service in Cenchrea. The word translated “servant” really means “deaconess.”
From verse 3 to verse 15, we have a long list of names—people in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings. At the very top are two familiar names: Priscilla and Aquila. They clearly lead the list deliberately, because no one else receives such high praise. They had risked their lives for Paul, even though God spared them from actually dying. This is the greatest expression of human love according to Jesus in John 15:13. And according to 1 John 3:16, it is also what every Christian should be ready to do if the moment ever comes, because we are called not merely to show human kindness, but—since we share in the divine nature—to display divine love.
Paul shows remarkable discernment in the way he greets each person. One is his relative; another is a helper; another is “chosen in the Lord.” Some are “beloved,” one is “well-beloved,” and some are “notable among the apostles.” Some have “labored,” while others have “labored much.” His spiritual affections were large enough that he had a meaningful connection with each one. Yet Priscilla and Aquila clearly excelled all the rest, because their love reflected God’s own character—and that placed them above many who may have been more gifted.
This kind of divine love, which gives itself even to the point of death, stands alone in value. It appeared in David’s day (see 2 Samuel 23:13-17), and it is emphasized in our Lord’s solemn words in Revelation 2:4. We have no doubt it will be fully displayed when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So we should take this to heart now.
“Love never fails,” love is pure gold; Love is what Jesus came to unfold.
Make us more loving, Master, we pray— Help us remember, love is Thy way.
Verses 17–20 present a scene that is the exact opposite. Even in the earliest days, just as today, there were people who served not Christ but their own selfish desires. Such people create divisions and must be avoided. Their speech may be attractive—smooth as butter—but their words contradict sound teaching. This is the test: not whether they speak pleasantly, but whether they speak according to the doctrine God has given. Satan is the real driving force behind all error, and when he is finally crushed under the feet of the saints by the God of peace, then peace will truly arrive.
Paul next includes greetings from the group of coworkers who were with him while he wrote. And once again, in verse 24, it looks like he is ending the letter—as he had done in verse 20 and at the end of chapter 15. Yet again, he adds a final statement. It seems that at this point, as was his custom, Paul took the pen from his scribe and wrote the closing words himself. These words are deeply important.
Paul had a twofold ministry, as he explains in Colossians 1:23-29. He refers briefly to both parts here. First is the Gospel—“my Gospel”—which he had fully unfolded in this epistle. Second is “the mystery,” which he had not mentioned in this letter, though it had been revealed to him and other prophets and had been communicated in prophetic writings. Paul wanted the Roman believers to know that, just as it was important for them to be established according to the Gospel he had explained, it was equally important that they be established according to the mystery he was not writing about here.
If this was important for the Romans, then it is equally important for us. God is able to establish us in both. Are we concerned for both? We should be. The outward, visible church is in a broken condition, but that does not excuse us from caring about the mystery—rather, it makes it even more necessary. The mystery concerns the Gentiles, so it has been made known to all nations for the sake of the obedience that comes from faith. It is made known not simply to be understood, but to be obeyed.
There has never been a time when established Christians were more needed than today. God alone can establish us—and we are only truly established when we are grounded in both the Gospel and the Mystery. No one stands securely on one leg. The Gospel and the Mystery are like two legs that give us a firm and stable stance. We should aim to stand firmly on both.
Romans 16 – Fellowship, Warnings, and Final Praise
Chapter 16 contains Paul’s closing greetings. Phebe appears to have been the one who carried the letter, and Paul includes a commendation for her so the believers in Rome would receive her freely and without hesitation. She had helped many people—and even Paul himself—through her service in Cenchrea. The word translated “servant” really means “deaconess.”
From verse 3 to verse 15, we have a long list of names—people in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings. At the very top are two familiar names: Priscilla and Aquila. They clearly lead the list deliberately, because no one else receives such high praise. They had risked their lives for Paul, even though God spared them from actually dying. This is the greatest expression of human love according to Jesus in John 15:13. And according to 1 John 3:16, it is also what every Christian should be ready to do if the moment ever comes, because we are called not merely to show human kindness, but—since we share in the divine nature—to display divine love.
Paul shows remarkable discernment in the way he greets each person. One is his relative; another is a helper; another is “chosen in the Lord.” Some are “beloved,” one is “well-beloved,” and some are “notable among the apostles.” Some have “labored,” while others have “labored much.” His spiritual affections were large enough that he had a meaningful connection with each one. Yet Priscilla and Aquila clearly excelled all the rest, because their love reflected God’s own character—and that placed them above many who may have been more gifted.
This kind of divine love, which gives itself even to the point of death, stands alone in value. It appeared in David’s day (see 2 Samuel 23:13-17), and it is emphasized in our Lord’s solemn words in Revelation 2:4. We have no doubt it will be fully displayed when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So we should take this to heart now.
“Love never fails,” love is pure gold;
Love is what Jesus came to unfold.
Make us more loving, Master, we pray—
Help us remember, love is Thy way.
Verses 17–20 present a scene that is the exact opposite. Even in the earliest days, just as today, there were people who served not Christ but their own selfish desires. Such people create divisions and must be avoided. Their speech may be attractive—smooth as butter—but their words contradict sound teaching. This is the test: not whether they speak pleasantly, but whether they speak according to the doctrine God has given. Satan is the real driving force behind all error, and when he is finally crushed under the feet of the saints by the God of peace, then peace will truly arrive.
Paul next includes greetings from the group of coworkers who were with him while he wrote. And once again, in verse 24, it looks like he is ending the letter—as he had done in verse 20 and at the end of chapter 15. Yet again, he adds a final statement. It seems that at this point, as was his custom, Paul took the pen from his scribe and wrote the closing words himself. These words are deeply important.
Paul had a twofold ministry, as he explains in Colossians 1:23-29. He refers briefly to both parts here. First is the Gospel—“my Gospel”—which he had fully unfolded in this epistle. Second is “the mystery,” which he had not mentioned in this letter, though it had been revealed to him and other prophets and had been communicated in prophetic writings. Paul wanted the Roman believers to know that, just as it was important for them to be established according to the Gospel he had explained, it was equally important that they be established according to the mystery he was not writing about here.
If this was important for the Romans, then it is equally important for us. God is able to establish us in both. Are we concerned for both? We should be. The outward, visible church is in a broken condition, but that does not excuse us from caring about the mystery—rather, it makes it even more necessary. The mystery concerns the Gentiles, so it has been made known to all nations for the sake of the obedience that comes from faith. It is made known not simply to be understood, but to be obeyed.
There has never been a time when established Christians were more needed than today. God alone can establish us—and we are only truly established when we are grounded in both the Gospel and the Mystery. No one stands securely on one leg. The Gospel and the Mystery are like two legs that give us a firm and stable stance. We should aim to stand firmly on both.
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