ROMANS CHAPTER 16

Paul closes his letter to the Romans with greetings to various men and women, who were converts from his ministry. Others apparently had assisted Paul or were known to him for their service to the cause of Christ. These brothers and sisters were now in Rome or traveled there and thus his greeting to them personally.

At times, it has been claimed the Bible is a myth or a collection of unreliable reports. This list of individuals whom Paul greets, gives us an indication that the work of Paul, the power of the gospel to change lives and the divine intervention in both Paul’s life and those whom he ministered to, were genuine events. Just as Paul was greeting real individuals, so what he writes of in his epistles regarding people, places and events were factual. Further, the Jesus Paul served and taught about and the gospel he preached were alike true.

Romans 16:17–20 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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. 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. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The Simplicity Of Obedience

Paul gives a warning to the Church of Rome that is applicable to our time. We are to watch out for people who cause divisions “and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught” (Romans 16:17 NLT). Unlike in Paul’s day when there was but one Christian church we now have hundreds of different fellowships and denominations. Most of these churches have some false doctrine or practices. Therefore, Paul’s words cannot be applied to each and every church. For some would use his words to stifle any questioning of the error they propagate.

Of course, in a broad sense, division is unacceptable in any church, but the division Paul is concerned with, is that which undermines the doctrine of the gospel, Christ and the Christian faith. The propagators of error not only when Paul wrote, but even now, do not really serve the Lord, regardless of their apparent sincerity. Paul says those who were causing division were not serving Christ “but their own belly.” This was shown not by “their fine words and flattering speech” (Romans 16:18 TEV), but by the fact they are placing their personal interests and ideas above following the counsel of Scripture. Paul also said such teachers and individuals were “enemies of the cross of Christ, “their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party” (Philippians 3:19 AMP).

Further, the apostle John wrote that those who place the principles of the world higher in their assessment and religious practices than the Word of God are exhibiting the spirit of antichrist. As with Paul, John wrote the truth the apostles taught was to be received as the standard of the gospel and kingdom of Christ to which every believer should understand and live by. He wrote that false teachers “proceed from the world and are of the world; therefore it is out of the world [its whole economy morally considered] that they speak, and the world listens (pays attention) to them. We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:5–6 AMP).

The church in Rome had largely avoided the many errors coming from various quarters, be it Judiazing teachers, pagan and worldly influences, Gnostics or others who would pervert the gospel, therefore Paul commends them for standing firm. Their faithfulness to the gospel and principles of Christ was known among the churches, and was also a source of encouragement to Paul. Rather than resting on past or current accomplishments, Paul encouraged the church to live in such a way as to be wise in the ways of living a life of goodness and innocent in regards to knowledge or practice of evil. Today some churches may have a name for activity, spirituality or their programs. However as with the Church in Rome what is of greater importance as a congregation and individually is to be “well versed and wise as to what is good and innocent and guileless as to what is evil” (Romans 16:19 AMP).

As one looks at the difficult past filled with the tears and the blood of the saints it is obvious that Satan has not yet been crushed. However, as the church in Rome did, and we presently, walk in the grace, peace and counsel of God we have the promise that the adversaries of truth and Satan’s opposition shall be held in check. Nevertheless, there is a “woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12 NKJV). Nevertheless the church of Christ through the long dark centuries to the present have “overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (verse 11). Here is the source of our victory as well, as we live by “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Further Greetings

Verse 20 ends Paul’s letter, as the next verses seem to be a postscript with further greetings given from Paul’s friends and coworkers who desired to greet the church in Rome. In this list, we find Timothy of whom Paul wrote “you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News” (Philippians 2:22 NLT). Lucius the same one we know as Luke the writer of the book of Acts also sent greetings. Jason is also mentioned and is likely the same person as mentioned in Acts 17:7, who at Thessalonica received the apostles into his house, and befriended them at the risk of his property and life. Sosipater was a Berean, a Jew, by birth, and accompanied Paul from Greece into Asia, and probably into Judea. (See Acts 20:4.)

Tertius, is introduced as the one who wrote the letter to the Romans. Paul likely dictated this letter to him, which he in turn wrote out. Gaius is next mentioned whom Paul calls “My host … in whose house the church meets, sends you his greetings” (Romans 16:23 TEV). Erastus had been or was currently serving as the chamberlain or treasurer of the city of Corinth from where Paul wrote the book of Romans. The final greeting comes from Quartus a brother in the Lord.

Romans 16:24–27 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 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, 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: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Salvation the Power of God

These last verses sum up the whole of the epistle to the Romans. Paul began his letter stating the gospel was the power of God for salvation, and available to all who would believe. Now he draws our attention once again to Him alone that is the source of all grace and mercy. It is to the Creator that all power and majesty resides, therefore our hope for eternal life is to know and “experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:19–20 NLT).

The power of God is able to stablish us in the gospel and the principles of the kingdom of Christ, this means, “to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm.”¹ Therefore, as we continually look to God we have the assurance He “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

The revelation of the mystery that Paul speaks of is the fullness of the gospel to the Gentiles. From Genesis onward, through type and shadow. patriarch and prophet God was unveiling His plan for the salvation of man. However, after the cross the full light of truth shined forth. With the calling of Paul to the gospel work the plan of redemption that was to go to all mankind was more fully revealed. We today live under the fullness of gospel light as revealed through Christ and in the Scriptures of truth. No longer is the mystery of the gospel hidden, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 6).

For Paul as well as for us, Christ is the key to unlock the mysteries of redemption not fully explained through patriarch and prophet. It was with the key of knowledge that the prophetic utterances and the shadows of the Old Testament were more fully revealed and explained by Paul under the unction of the Spirit. “God’s plan is to make known His secret to His people, this rich and glorious secret which He has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God” (Colossians 1:27 TEV).

The plan of salvation was conceived in the infinite mind and wisdom of deity. In contrast are all of mankind’s religions, which are based on the works that an individual may perform to gain merit, and experience life beyond the grave. The religions of mankind believe through good works and faithfulness to religious practices it is possible to gain eternity. However it is only in the wisdom and counsel of the true God that the glory of redemption and salvation is found outside of what mankind can accomplish or do. It is God who redeems, “not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of His own mercy that He saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us” (Titus 3:5 TEV). “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Endnotes:

1. Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament. Accordance 8 Bible Software Hypertexted and formatted by Oaktree Software, Inc.