God Speaks
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.
14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.
23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: The Apostle Paul was definitely a people-person with a good memory. Although he had not been to Rome, he sent greetings to at least 29 people by name, commenting specifically on several, besides referring to groups of others. He also commended and recommended fellow workers for the sake of the gospel. He was a team player and didn’t take all the credit for himself. In the midst of these happy greetings, the Holy Spirit used Paul and Tertius, his secretary, to warn the readers to stay away from slick talkers who spread division, confusion, and contradiction (16:17-18). Paul also affirmed the Romans in their clear and loyal stand for truth and righteousness and their innocence of wrongdoing. He assured them of God’s granting them victory over Satan and His continued blessings through Christ Jesus.
Consider the following questions regarding Romans 16:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. This chapter shows how God is concerned about both individuals and larger groups of people (house-churches, cities, people groups, and nations).
2. People, especially Christians, are to reach out to love, support, and encourage one another.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Romans 16?
(A modification of the Apostle Paul’s closing words to the Romans (16:25-27 TLB)
Dear Lord God, I commit the readers of this blog and all other believers in Christ (those I know and those I do not) to You. You are able to make us strong and steady in Christ, This is what the Gospel proclaims and the scriptures teach. This is Your great plan for saving souls which has been gradually developed and revealed from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as You command, this message is being preached everywhere, so that people around the world will have faith in Christ and obey Him. To You, Lord God, who alone is wise, be glory forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Romans 16? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will write a letter of encouragement to a persecuted Christian through Open Doors USA, Voice of the Martyrs, or Every Home for Christ.
- I will pray for a fellow believer whose name I receive through one of the above organizations or another source I know.
- I will seek to establish a pen-pal relationship with a Christian in another country.
- I will prayer or praise-walk around my neighborhood, complex, or apartment building as the beginning step of BLESS.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.