Romans — Chapter 16

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

2That 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.

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.

11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

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

14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

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

16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

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

18For 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.

19For 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.

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

21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

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

23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

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

25Now 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,

26But 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:

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

1I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae:

2that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.

3Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,

4who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:

5and [salute] the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.

6Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you.

7Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.

8Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.

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

10Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the [household] of Aristobulus.

11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the [household] of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.

12Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

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

14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.

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

16Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.

18For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.

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

21Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord.

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

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

25Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,

26but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith:

27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

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

2so that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and provide her with whatever help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many, including me.

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

4who risked their own necks for my life. Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.

7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

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

10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

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

12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother who was also a mother to me.

14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them.

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

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

17Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!

18For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.

19Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

20The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my compatriots.

22I, Tertius, who am writing this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer and our brother Quartus greet you.

24[This verse is not included in the NET; see KJV/ASV for the traditional rendering.]

25Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that had been kept secret for long ages,

26but now is disclosed, and through the prophetic scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever! Amen.

1I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

2that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

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

4who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.

5Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

6Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

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

8Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

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

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

11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

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

14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

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

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

17Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

18For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

19For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

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

21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

22I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

23Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

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

25Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,

26but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;

27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Paul greets over twenty-five individuals by name (including Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, and Junia), warns against those who cause divisions, and closes with a doxology — "to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever."

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul, with Tertius as his scribe (v.22).
Historical Context: Chapter 16 is Paul's closing — personal greetings (vv.1-16), a warning against divisive people (vv.17-20), greetings from Paul's companions (vv.21-24), and a final doxology (vv.25-27). Paul greets 26 people by name — remarkable for a church he had never visited. This reveals the interconnected nature of the early church and Paul's relational investment.
The People (vv.1-16): Paul mentions women prominently — Phoebe (a deacon/servant of the church, v.1), Priscilla (listed before her husband Aquila, v.3), Mary (who "bestowed much labour," v.6), Junia (v.7), Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis (v.12). Women were active, valued participants in the early church's ministry.
The Warning (vv.17-20): Even in a chapter of greetings, Paul warns against those who "cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine" (v.17). They serve "their own belly" and deceive with "good words and fair speeches" (v.18). The solution: be "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil" (v.19).
The Doxology (vv.25-27): Romans ends as it began — with the Gospel. "The mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest" (vv.25-26). The Gospel is God's eternal plan, now revealed, for "the obedience of faith" among all nations. "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever" (v.27).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the personal greetings, the role of women, the warning against divisive people, and the closing doxology.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Wise Unto Good" on v.19 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 642) "Wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil — be experts in goodness and amateurs in evil. Know good deeply; know evil barely. Some men pride themselves on knowing every form of wickedness — that is not wisdom; it is corruption. Be wise in good. Be innocent of evil." Sermon: "To God Only Wise" on v.27 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1375) "To God only wise — He alone has perfect wisdom. His plan — hidden for ages, now revealed in Christ — is the masterpiece of infinite intelligence. And the only appropriate response is glory — forever. Amen."

Videos

The Bible Project — Romans Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. Paul greets 26 people by name — in a church he'd never visited. He invested in relationships across distance. How relational is your faith? Do you know people by name in the body of Christ? Are you investing in relationships?
  • 2. "Mark them which cause divisions" (v.17). Not all who claim to be Christians are safe. Some cause division and serve themselves. Are you discerning about who you follow and listen to? Do you evaluate teachers by their doctrine AND their fruit?
  • 3. "Wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil" (v.19). Be an expert in goodness — not in evil. Our culture celebrates knowledge of evil (true crime, scandal, gossip). How much of your mental energy goes toward good vs. evil?
  • 4. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (v.20). Satan is defeated — and God will crush him under YOUR feet. You are not a victim of the enemy; you are a victor through Christ. Do you live like it?
  • 5. Women are prominently featured in Paul's greetings — Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis. Women were active, valued participants in the early church. How does your church value and utilize the gifts of women?
  • 6. Paul warns against people who "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (v.18). False teachers often sound good — they're smooth and persuasive. How do you distinguish between genuine teachers and deceivers? What criteria do you use?
  • 7. Romans ends with a doxology (vv.25-27) — worship. The greatest theological letter in history ends with praise. Does your study of God lead to worship? If theology doesn't produce doxology, something is wrong.
  • 8. "The mystery... now is made manifest" (vv.25-26). The Gospel was God's plan from eternity — hidden for ages, now revealed. You are living in the age of revelation — the mystery is open. How does knowing you live in the fulfillment of God's eternal plan affect your sense of purpose?
  • 9. "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen" (v.27). The final word of Romans: glory to God forever. Is that the final word of your life — glory to God? Is everything you do aimed at His glory?