The big picture
Paul closes his letter to believers in Rome, the imperial capital, with many personal names. Paul is a messenger of Jesus Christ, the Lord whose grace and mercy he has explained. These people work, host, risk their lives, and care for others. They meet in several groups, not one nameless crowd. The love comes with a warning about false teachers. The last words praise God's wisdom. His message has now reached the nations.
In this chapter
- Receive Phebe and Greet Costly Helpers Romans 16:1-7
Paul commends Phebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, a port town.
- Names Reveal a Wider Family Romans 16:8-16
More greetings go to friends and fellow workers.
- Watch for Smooth Words That Divide Romans 16:17-20
Paul warns them to watch for those who divide the church.
- Paul’s Companions Add Their Greetings Romans 16:21-24
Timotheus, Paul's fellow worker, sends greetings with other relatives and companions.
- Glory to the God Who Strengthens Romans 16:25-27
Paul ends in praise to God.
Central truth
Paul greets faithful workers, warns against false teachers who divide the church, and praises God for the message that brings strength.
Scripture beside the summary
Romans · King James Version · 27Romans 16:1-7
Receive Phebe and Greet Costly Helpers
Paul commends Phebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, a port town. The Romans should welcome and assist her, since she has helped many, including him. Christians differ on whether servant here names a formal church role. He greets Priscilla and Aquila, fellow workers who risked their lives for him, and the church in their home. He also greets one of the first converts and a woman who worked hard. Andronicus and Junia are his relatives and once shared his prison life. They believed before him and are noted among the apostles. Their exact place in that group is debated.
In everyday life
A travelling nurse carries a recommendation from the community she has served for years. The letter asks the new team to help her. It names friends whose homes and risks have kept the work going. The names show the people who made that care real. Paul greets those who work and belong in Christ.
Notice
Romans 16:2 Phebe is to receive help because she has herself supported many. The help should flow both ways. This is more than a formal note about a stranger.
Romans 16:1-7
King James Version1I 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.
Romans 16:8-16
Names Reveal a Wider Family
More greetings go to friends and fellow workers. Some have been tested; some belong to whole households. Paul names women who labour in the Lord, including Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis. He greets Rufus, a chosen believer, and Rufus' mother, whose care has also been motherly toward Paul. Several clusters of names are joined with the believers around them. He asks them to share a holy kiss. The churches welcome each other as family. He does not say the same thing of each one. Their gifts and work differ. Their names show faith at work in homes and friendships. They have served, cared, and held on.
In everyday life
A retirement organiser reads a list of people who kept a neighbourhood centre open: cooks, night cleaners, hosts, and quiet companions to those in grief. Some receive only a name, others a remembered act of care. The centre owes its life to all of them. Paul names believers joined as a family in the Lord.
Notice
Romans 16:13 Paul calls Rufus' mother his own as well. Her care has reached past her own son. The bond within the church gives Paul a place in that care too.
Romans 16:8-16
King James Version8Greet 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.
Romans 16:17-20
Watch for Smooth Words That Divide
Paul warns them to watch for those who divide the church. Their teaching conflicts with what the believers learned, and they must be avoided. Such teachers serve their own appetites rather than Jesus. Pleasant language can deceive trusting hearts. Paul rejoices that the Romans' obedience is widely known, but wants them wise about good and unpractised in evil. He promises that the God of peace will soon crush Satan, God's enemy, under their feet. His wish for Jesus' grace follows. A warm welcome is not a reason to accept harmful teaching. Love still needs sound judgement.
In everyday life
A tenants' treasurer listens to a polished newcomer urging residents to abandon the agreed repair fund and pay into his private account. His friendly manner does not answer the conflict with the rules they already trust. She warns the group before the split drains their resources. Paul warns of teachers serving themselves and promises God's defeat of evil.
Notice
Romans 16:18 The warning separates attractive speech from the purpose it serves. A pleasing style can hide self-interest, so charm alone does not prove a teacher faithful.
Romans 16:17-20
King James Version17Now 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.
Romans 16:21-24
Paul’s Companions Add Their Greetings
Timotheus, Paul's fellow worker, sends greetings with other relatives and companions. Tertius, the person writing down the letter, adds his own greeting in the Lord. Gaius, host to Paul and the church, also greets the Romans. So do Erastus, a city financial officer, and Quartus, a fellow believer. Paul again wishes Jesus' grace to everyone. The hands that write and the home that hosts both matter. Paul makes room for them in the closing words. The host, officer, and quiet friend all share one faith.
In everyday life
A sign-language interpreter adds her greeting at the end of a recorded message from a community leader. The host who provided the room and the volunteer handling the equipment also wave to the distant group. The message has travelled through more than one person's effort. Tertius writes Paul's letter and greets its hearers within their common Lord.
Notice
Romans 16:22 Tertius steps forward as the one who wrote the letter down. His greeting shows the human hands at work behind the message. The distant hearers now know his name.
Romans 16:21-24
King James Version21Timotheus 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.
Romans 16:25-27
Glory to the God Who Strengthens
Paul ends in praise to God. He can make believers strong through the good news that tells of Jesus Christ. A mystery long kept hidden has now been revealed. The prophets' Scriptures now make it known. God commands that it reach all nations, calling for faith that obeys. Paul gives glory forever to the only wise God through Jesus. The letter ends where its opening pointed: God's message reaches the nations and calls for faithful response. God gives the strength for that response. It does not rest on Paul or one church alone.
In everyday life
A mapmaker unveils a route that joins villages long treated as separate ends of the road. The completed map makes connections visible that scattered notes had only hinted at. Travellers can now follow a shared direction. Paul praises God's plan made known through Scripture and Jesus. God gives strength to believers in all nations.
Notice
Romans 16:26 The revealed mystery is made known for obedient faith among all nations. It is not made known only to answer questions. People are called to respond to God in faith.
Romans 16:25-27
King James Version25Now 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Romans 16:1 begins with “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:”
Where the chapter turns
Romans 16:17 forms a natural hinge: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
The final note
Romans 16:27 leaves the reader with “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Salute, Christ, Lord, Jesus, Greet, Amen help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- succourer
- A helper or supporter who comes to another person's aid.
- salute
- Greet someone with affection or respect.
- chamberlain
- A civic official, here responsible for a city's financial affairs.
Music and video connected to the passage
No exact media match is cataloged for this passage yet. New material can be connected when it becomes available.