Romans 16, Personal Notes

Paul ends his letter to the church in Rome with a series of personal greetings. These small matters give a lot of insight into Paul's ministry and the early churches in Europe.

Romans 16:1-6, Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquilla, Epenetus and Mary
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. 

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 

The first two people mentioned in this chapter are women.  It is Phoebe who carries the letter to Rome and "Prisca" (here), a short form of Priscilla, who is mentioned with her husband, Aquila.  The word translated "servant", in verse 1, describing Phoebe, is the Greek "diakonos", from which we get the word "deacon."

Cenchea was the port town just outside Corinth, all the people in the list of greeters at the end of this letter (when we can identify them) were involved in Corinth, from where Paul presumably writes this letter.

Romans 16:7, Two apostles, Andronicus and Junias
Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 

Some claim that there were only twelve apostles ... but Andronicus and Junias are given that title here by Paul.  There is an argument to be made here that Paul wrote "Junia", the name of a woman; Andronicus and Junia may have been a traveling couple, like Priscilla and Acquila.

Romans 16:8-15, Others whom I love
Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 

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

Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. 

Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 

Greet Herodion, my relative.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. 

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 

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

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

We read a long list of greetings to people, more than two dozen, whom Paul knows; all are apparently now involved in the growing church in Rome.

Romans 16:16-20, Greet one another with a kiss
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. 

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 

Unity, community, fellowship are all high on Paul's priority list for the young churches.

Romans 16:21-24, Greetings from Corinthian leaders

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives. 

I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 

Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. 

Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

Tertius wrote the letter for Paul and gets an opportunity to greet those in Roman. Gaius was a founder of the church in Corinth, one of the few people baptized by Paul (see I Corinthians 1:14).

Erastus was also apparently at Corinth.

The NIV does not include a verse 24 as that passage is missing from some ancient texts. Other manuscripts add "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen."

Romans 16:25-27, Benediction
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

And finally a strong benediction.  We follow a Messiah that all nations will believe and obey!