Romans 16:17-27

KJV

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 

Rom 16:18  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. 

Rom 16:19  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. 

Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 

Rom 16:21  Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 

Rom 16:22  I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 

Rom 16:23  Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 

Rom 16:24  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

Rom 16:25  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, 

Rom 16:26  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: 

Rom 16:27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea. 

 

Main Points: Paul exits this letter with a final warning against false teachers and salutations from various friends. He also, very pointedly, infers all work to be through Jesus, for the glory of God. THAT has been a mainstay for this entire letter, and virtually all of Paul’s writings.

3. Explain Paul’s final warning (17-18). How can we obey the command? What actions would fall under *Paul’s condemnation?
Paul warns to stay away from those *who cause division, those who *teach a contrary doctrine. This requires them/us to know what the true doctrine is. Most notably in this case, Paul has laid out what it is in the previous 15 chapters. What is his letter’s main purpose(s)? 1) The Gentiles are God’s children along with the Jews. 2) The law of Moses, or any system of law is NOT a part of this gospel. This is a system of grace from God, made available through Jesus, entered into by the evidence of our faith, which is obedience.

4. How can we follow Paul’s instruction in verse 19?
The simple/universal answer would be “what should I PRACTICE/PURSUE?”  If we pursue sin, we become “good” at it. Similarly, if we practice good, we will be wise in its concepts. However, in THIS context, the evil he alludes to is the practice of teaching divisive doctrine that divides and causes arguments (doubtful disputations). The gospel is complex in its delivery (only God through Jesus could make it happen). The PRACTICE of the gospel is simple categorically….though, the individual may struggle with personal matters.

5. Explain the imagery of God crushing Satan under the feet of the Romans (20). How would this happen? How does this relate to the curse in Gen. 3:15?
We know the major contribution Christians made during the persecutions by Rome. That is certainly a big part of this. The establishment of the church as the bride of Christ delivered an everlasting blow to Satan and his realm. The gospel turned mankind back to God.
However, AT THAT MOMENT, the big heresy was the misleading teaching of compliance to the Mosaical Law. Arrogance was another big issue. Overt sin was another giant issue. These were the main subjects Paul addresses. When they get those things corrected then the gospel can be fulfilled.
I would add that when Jesus died on the cross and rose again and defeated death, THAT is when Satan was defeated. The way back to God was established at that point.

6. What hope and encouragement do you get from Paul’s doxology (25-27)?
This section puts ALL attribution of the SOURCE of the gospel where it belongs: God, Jesus, and by implication the Holy Spirit. Again, Paul intimates that during their lifetime God was working through what Jesus did. He says it WAS a mystery. As was his purpose for using old testament scriptures to prove his points, he is inferring the time is now!

This is the hand of God!

Romans 16:1-16

KJV

Rom 16:1  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 

Rom 16:2  That 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. 

Rom 16:3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 

Rom 16:4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 

Rom 16:5  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 

Rom 16:6  Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 

Rom 16:7  Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 

Rom 16:8  Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 

Rom 16:9  Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 

Rom 16:10  Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 

Rom 16:11  Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 

Rom 16:12  Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 

Rom 16:13  Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 

Rom 16:14  Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 

Rom 16:15  Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 

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

Main Points: Paul commends his fellow Christians in the work of the gospel.

1.    Explain the role of Pheobe. What were the Romans instructed to do concerning her?  Is she a deacon, or a servant (see other versions), explain the difference.  She was a servant. The word diakonos denotes “waiting on or serving.” Deaconess is appropriate for ANY female who serves the church. In my opinion, that may include teaching. To find the correct selection of a formal “deacon” office, we must look to Acts chapter six, which only included men. Paul’s instruction that the Romans need to help her with WHATEVER she needs infers the importance of all servants within the body…even if they do not occupy a formal “office.”

 

2.    Write down some of the acts of service and commendations Paul gives to the various people in the church at Rome:

VERSE		PERSON(S)	COMMENDATION
1, 2		Phoebe	A servant and patron of many
3	Pricilla, Aquila		Fellow workers, risked life, (all the Gentiles give thanks for them)
5	Epaenetus		The first convert in Asia
6	Mary		Worked hard for you
7	Andronicus, Junia		Kinsman, fellow prisoners, known by the other apostles, converted before Paul
8	Ampliatus		“my beloved” in the Lord
9	Urbanus, Stachys		Our fellow worker in Christ/ my beloved (respectively)
10	Apelles		Approved in Christ
10	The family of Aristobulus		Greet them!
11	Herodian and the family of Narcissus		Greet them, Apelles is approved in Christ
12	Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis		Workers (in the Lord) and beloved
13	Rufus and his mother		Chosen in the Lord, she is like my mother
14	Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, (Brothers with them),		Greet them!
15	Philologus, Julia, Nereus, His Sister, Olympas and the saints with them		Greet them!
16	Each other		Greet each other!
	The churches of Christ		Greet you

 

 

To understand what it means to “greet” read the definition below. This was not a mere smile and hand shake. It would require a certain intimacy that only fellow workers for a cause greater than themselves  can only know. Note that Paul continually points to the work as “in Christ.”

 

Greet: G782: aspazomai

as-pad'-zom-ahee

From G1 (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of G4685; to enfold in the arms, that is, (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome: - embrace, greet, salute, take leave.

Romans 15 22-33

KJV

Rom 15:22  For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 

Rom 15:23  But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 

Rom 15:24  Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. 

Rom 15:25  But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 

Rom 15:26  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 

Rom 15:27  It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 

Rom 15:28  When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 

Rom 15:29  And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 

Rom 15:30  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 

Rom 15:31  That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 

Rom 15:32  That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 

Rom 15:33  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 

 

Main Points: As Paul begins to close out his letter, he reveals his plans to come see the church.

 

8. What are Paul’s travel plans? Paul, now in Corinth wants to go to Jerusalem, then stop by Rome while heading to Spain.

9. What situation is Paul talking about in verses 25-28? (2Cor. 8-9) Paul is taking up a collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem. This process took some time and was integrated into his travels. The Macedonians were apparently very generous with the gift they gathered and when Paul wrote 2Cor. he is exhorting the Corinthians to do the same. More specifically he says; “I think you should finish what you started. If you give according to what you have, you will prove that you are as eager to give as you were to think about giving.” He indicates

that they had started the gift collecting and just needed to finish it. Paul uses flattering language about them to encourage this work. “But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
Paul also indicates that he has been “bragging” on the church at Corinth and that it would be embarrassing if he shows up and the gift isn’t ready. “That's why I am sending Titus and the two others to you. I want you to be ready, just as I promised. This will prove that we were not wrong to brag about you.”

10. What is Paul’s appeal to the Romans? (30-33) – In a word “peace.”

a. Pray for him

b. Deliverance from unbelievers in Jerusalem.

c. His service may be found acceptable to the saints

d. That his meeting with them will be of joy and refreshing.

 

Paul understands that Jerusalem holds danger!
Paul is also concerned that his work may not be found “accepted” or well received. This does not indicate the offering. It stands to reason that a gift would be well received. It likely has more to do with his mission of converting Gentiles and unifying the Jews with the Gentiles.

 

Additional:
Paul explains that he did not want to work in Rome since someone else was responsible for its establishment (a historical unknown). What is even more interesting is his statement “I no longer have any work to do in these provinces.”  (speaking of eastern Asia)
This had to be an interpretation (on his part) to some degree when we consider that the Holy Spirit was his handler. He must have felt confident in the churches, their membership and their elder/deacons.

 

Paul says he plans to go to Spain, however, we have no recorded visit there by him (other than anecdotal). What does that tell us?  A couple of things; Paul was led by the spirit and Paul was also given freedom to choose where he went to a certain degree….or the HS changed His plan (which was unlikely).
Does not the HS have foresight? It is likely that Paul made many of his own plans for travel and occasionally, we find the HS interceding.
Also, we see that geographically, Spain is due west on the Mediterranean coast. He had covered the east, and now he had his sights on the west.

Spain is traditionally attributed to James (John’s brother) for apostle work (Catholic Tradition (lore)).  Circa