Romans - Lesson 16

Text

C. Paul’s personalⁱ greetings 16:1-24

Chapter 16

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;

2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

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

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

5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Ampliatus, 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 those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren 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. All the churches of Christ greet you.

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.

20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

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

23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.

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

D. Paul’s blessing 16:25-27

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,

26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;

27. to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

Thought questions for chapter 16

1. Have you ever felt like a second class citizen, or just second best? How does the Bible elevate the position of women in the first century?

When I really lacked finances. The servant of all is the greatest of all.

2. What can we learn about Phoebe from this passage?

She was a true servant (possibly a deaconness for women)

3. How can perverters of the Gospel recognized? See 1 Tim 6:3; Matt 7:15-20

By the results of their teaching. Are they teaching what Christ taught?

4. How can we safeguard ourselves from them? 2Jn 10; 2 tim 2:14-16; 1 thess 5:22

By adhearing to the teachings of Christ, and wrangling over words.

5. How is God described in verses 17-27?

God will bring about HIS will.

For Further Thought

Was Phoebe a deaconess? If so, was this position equal to that of 1Tim 3?

I think she was. It was probably equavalent to the men, but its scope was probably limited to women. Some things women would feel comfortable only having other women do for them.

Andronicus and Junias are listed as being outstanding among the apostles. Does this indicate apostolic succession. What about Acts chapter 1?

This does not say that these are apostles the same as Peter and Paul. It could very well be that these men were sent forth with orders by a church for a specific reason.

What is the significance of the phrases “in the lord” or “in Christ” or “Christ Jesus”? How are they used in this passage?

Vss. 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13. They (the phrases) are a designation of a Christian.

What kinds of things does Paul commend in the first 16 verses?

Being a servant vss 1-2

A fellow worker vs 2

Risking ones life vs 4

Working hard vs 6

Being a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus

Outstanding among the apostles vs 7

Being in the Lord, in Christ, beloved, a saint, etc 8-15

Compare verses 17-20 with Genesis chapter 3. What is Paul trying to teach from the Hebrew bible?

Satan caused the division of God and man, but God has crushed Satan’s efforts through Jesus Christ.

How should we judge success?

See vs 19 To the extent that we are obedient to Christ and have sanctified ourselves.

How do verses 25-27 summarize Paul’s key themes in this letter?

God has revealed HIS will throughout the ages. HIS will for us is now revealed in Paul’s gospel and is for us all.

What divisions and obstacles are the people to avoid? Vss. 17-20

See also 3:8; 6:1, 15; 7:7; 9:14 and Gal 5:2-6

We are to avoid the things of the world and to live our lives by “faith working through love” see Gal 5:6

By way of illustration

Hindrances

If you want to be distressed -- look within.

If you want to be defeated -- look back.

If you want to be distracted -- look around.

If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead.

If you want to be delivered -- look up!

Suppose some morning we go to a race. Runners are lined up, stripped to the bare essentials. All is ready for the race when suddenly we see another fellow coming to the starting line. But strange as it seems he is fully dressed. He has on a full suit, heavy overcoat, hip boots and a heavy woolen cap. In his hands he carries his lunch bucket and an umbrella. His pockets are filled with medicines. Everyone is surprised that such a person would try to win the race.

Finally we approach him and ask him about it. "Of course," he says, "I'm running the race. What's wrong with what I wear? Is anything wrong with a coat or cap or medicines? After all, the race is long, the terrain is treacherous, and I may become ill. I'm going prepared for whatever may lie ahead." We can't tell him that what he carries is a burden, maybe even a sin. But we know he'll never win the race. Why? Because he is loaded with weights.

The writer of Hebrews told the Christians to lay aside every weight. Self-control requires us not only to avoid sin but also demands the discipline to give up good things that will keep us from being and doing our best for God.

William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth Colony of pilgrims, insisted, "Those who believe in the Holy Scriptures are bound to observe its teachings. Those who do not are to be bound by its consequences."

• Larry Burkett, What Ever Happened to the American Dream, p. 43.

The Master's will, for this I pray, Whatever it may be!

I do not want to miss Your best; Reveal it, Lord, to me.

My own desires may lead me wrong, I must consult my God;

His counsel will be justified, When all the way I've trod.

O soul of mine, delight in Him! His Word discern, obey!

The plan you seek to know will then unfold from day to day.

We do not live our lives alone: If I am in God's will,

The lives of others will be helped, His purpose to fulfill!

My all, O Lord, I give to You, My body, mind and soul;

May all the days that lie ahead, be under Your control.

• Frances L. Hess

People who talk about prayer but never pray.

People who say tithing is right but never tithe.

People who want to belong to the church but never attend.

People who say the Bible is God's Word to man but never read it.

People who criticize others for things they do themselves.

People who stay away from church for trivial reasons and sing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus."

People who continue in sin all their lives but expect to go to heaven.

• Church Bulletin Bits

What the Bible says about divisions

I. Church unity

Jn 10:14-16; 15: 1-8; 17: 11-23; Acts 1:14; 2:1; 4:32-35; 5:12-14; 1 Corth 1:10-13; 3: 1-23; 12:12-13, 27 Gal 2:19; Eph 1:10, 22-23; 4:1-16; 5:23-32;

Col 1:18; 1Tim 3:14-15

II. Warnings against false teachers

Rom 16:17-19 Gal 4:17; 5:3-4, 7-12 Col 2:16-23 2 Thess 2:1-12 1 Tim 1:6-7; 4:1-7; 6:3-10; 2 Tim 2:16-26; 3: 1-9, 13; 4:3-4 Titus 1:9-16; 3:9-11

2 Pet 2:1-22; 1 Jn 2:18-19 2 Jn 7-11 Jude 3-23 Rev 2:6, 13-16, 20-25

3. Insights into Divisions

Jn 15:1-8 We are to abide in Jesus, not in preachers, a particular doctrine, or in cliches of mutual agreement

Jn 17:11-23 In Christ, through the word, which unifies us.

1 Corth 1:10-13 No clicks, preacheritis, or particular heritage, but rather Christ.

1 Corth 3:1-23 Build up the work Christ has laid, do not destroy it by fleshly desires.

Eph 4:1-16 Immaturity causes division, grow up, and realize that each one has their place in the body of Christ

Rom 16:17-19 Keep an eye out for crafty, smooth talkers.

1 Tim 4:1-7 People who manipulate others by teaching that you can be closer to God through self denial

2 Tim 3:1-9 Those who exhibit godlessness

2 Tim 4:3-4 Those who teach people what the people want, rather than what they need.

2 Pet 2:1-22 Those who teach that engaging in worldliness is acceptable

2 Jn 7-11 Those who do not preach Christ!

3. Dealing with false teachers

Acts 17:10-12 Study, to be sure you are correct (2 Tim 2:15)

2 Tim 4:1-2 Use the word to reprove (to bring to light), rebuke (stronger admonishment), and exhort (implore change by strong encouragement)

Eph 1:18 Pray for Guidance (Rom 8:26; Eph 6:18)

Eph 6:10-17 Clothe yourself Spiritually

Matt 18: 15-18 Deal with the person directly

1. Have a private discussion
2. If that will not work, bring along other Christians to bear witness to what is going on and to reason together.
3. Inform the church of the situation, and urge them to confront the person themselves.
4. If the person will NOT LISTEN OR CHANGE, have nothing to do with him/her. 1 Cor 5:1-5
5. If there is repentance, accept again. 2Cor 2:5-11

Test on the book of Romans Name _________________ (optional)

1. Who wrote the book of Romans? _________

2. Righteousness means…… _____

1. Good behavior
2. Good thinking
3. Good in God’s sight
4. All of the above

3. Does the book of Romans discuss doctrine exclusively? Yes___ No___

4. What is the Thesis (theme) of the book? (circle one)

1. Rom 1:16-17 2. Rom 8:28 3. Rom 16:26

5. Is being considered right with God accomplished by the Ten Commandments? True ______False_____

6. Living according to the Flesh will result in eternal life?

True ______False_____

7. All Israel will be saved? True ______False_____

8. Our bodies are a sacrifice to God? True ______False_____

9. We do not have to be subject to our government because we are christians.

True ______False_____

10. As long as we know an action of ours to be correct we can do it, regardless of what a fellow Christian thinks! True ______False_____

11. What did you think of this class?

12. Suggestions or comments?

i Cast of Characters Romans 16 (Greetings to: 3-16) (Greetings from:21-23)

1. Phoebe vss 1-2 Deaconness

(name is femine form of Apollo)

2. Priscilla and Aquilla vss 3-4 Wife and Husband team

mentioned in Acts 18

That she is mentioned first is probably because of wealth or nobility

3. Epenetus vs 4 Spiritual child of Paul

4. Mary vs 6 "The toiler"

5. Andronicus & Junias vs 7 Relatives, in prison with Paul. Greek is unclear in

reference to the comment about the apostles; probably means they were thought well of BY the apostles.

6. Ampliatus vs 8 A slave name. This

name was found on an elaborate tombstone in the cemetery of Domatilla, who was a woman of high standing in Rome.

7. Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Heroian vs 9 Not much is known of

them.

8. Households of Aristobulus & Narcissus vss 10-11 This is a reference to

the slaves of their households.

9. Tryphena & Tryphosa vs 12 Their names come from

the same root word meaning “To live delicately". Names such as this were given to the rich.

10. Persis vs 12 Probably an elderly

lady.

11. Rufus & his mother vs 13 Mk 15:21 Simon of

Cyrene was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Therefore, Rufus may have been the son of the man who carried the cross of Jesus. Note the affection toward them.

12. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas.. 14 May be a businessmen's

group according to Ray

Stedman.

13. Philologus, Julia, Neresus… vs 15 According to Wm.

Barclay, Neresus was the steward of Flavius Clemens and Domatilla. Domatilla was the granddaughter of the emperor Vespasian.

14. Timothy vs 21 Spiritual child of Paul,

evangelist.

15. Lucius, Jason, Sosipater vs 21 Kinsmen of Paul.

16. Tertius, Quartus. Vs 22, 23 In a Roman household,

the first slave (the one in charge of everything) was named Primus, the number 2 man was Secundus, the third was Tertius, the fourth Quartus, the fifth slave was Quintus, etc.

17. Gaius vs 23 Host to the whole

church. Probably a rich man.

18. Erastus vs 23 The city treasurer

(director of public works)

OTHER THOUGHTS

1. What is the importance of these names?

2. Why greet so MANY individuals, SO FAR away (to a place Paul had never been)?
3. Why Include both the rich and poor, the exalted and the most lowly?
4. Why is this chapter attached to a book that is SO THEOLOGICAL IN NATURE?
5. What does this chapter tell us about the apostle PAUL?
6. How many of us could send a letter so far away and remember so many people by name?
7. Do the preceding two chapters have any relationship to chapter 16?