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.
- [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;
- to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
Thought
questions for chapter 16
- 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.
- What can we learn about Phoebe from this passage?
She was a true servant (possibly a deaconness for women)
- 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?
- 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.
- 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
- 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!
- 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
- Have a private discussion
- If that will not work, bring along other Christians to bear witness to what is going on and to reason together.
- Inform the church of the situation, and urge them to confront the person themselves.
- If the person will NOT LISTEN OR CHANGE, have nothing to do with him/her. 1 Cor 5:1-5
- 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? _________
- Righteousness means…… _____
- Good behavior
- Good thinking
- Good in God’s sight
- All of the above
3. Does the book of Romans
discuss doctrine exclusively? Yes___ No___
- 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_____
- 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_____
- 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?
- Why greet so MANY individuals, SO FAR away (to a place Paul had never been)?
- Why Include both the rich and poor, the exalted and the most lowly?
- Why is this chapter attached to a book that is SO THEOLOGICAL IN NATURE?
- What does this chapter tell us about the apostle PAUL?
- How many of us could send a letter so far away and remember so many people by name?
- Do the preceding two chapters have any relationship to chapter 16?
