Romans 16

Gospel Partnership, Holy Greeting, False-Teacher Warning, and Doxology to the God Who Establishes

Paul moves from commending Phoebe, to greeting many believers and house-church networks, to commanding holy mutual greeting, to warning against divisive deceivers, to promising Satan's crushing by the God of peace, to relaying greetings from his companions, and finally to doxology celebrating God's power to establish believers through the gospel of Jesus Christ now revealed for the obedience of the Gentiles.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Paul commends Phoebe and calls the Roman church to welcome and assist her as a servant and benefactor.

Romans 16:1-16

Gospel ministry is personal, relational, and shared among many faithful workers.

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

2 that 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.

Paul names and honors many saints, showing the church as a network of beloved co-workers, households, laborers, and holy fellowship.

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

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

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

6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

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

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul warns the church to identify and avoid those who divide the church and oppose apostolic teaching through smooth deception.

Romans 16:17-20

Protect unity by guarding doctrine and resting in God’s coming victory.

17 Now 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.

18 For 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.

Paul rejoices in the Romans' obedience, calls them to wise innocence, and promises that the God of peace will crush Satan under their feet.

19 For 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.

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

Paul's companions and hosts send greetings, showing the communal nature of gospel ministry.

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

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

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

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

Key Terms

συνίστημι synistēmi G4921
διάκονον diakonon G1249
ἐκκλησίας ekklēsias G1577
προσδέξησθε prosdechēsthe G4327
ἐν κυρίῳ en kyriō G2962
ἀξίως τῶν ἁγίων axiōs tōn hagiōn G516
παραστῆτε parastēte G3936
προστάτις prostatis G4368
ἀσπάσασθε aspasasthe G782
συνεργούς synergous G4904
ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ en Christō Iēsou G5547
ὑπέθηκαν hypethēkan G5294

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details