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Romans Chapter Sixteen

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Fellowship in the End

A.  Introduction (v.1-2);

B.  Greeting ---- the greeting of Paul himself (v.3-16);

C.  Exhortation (v.17-20);

D.  Greeting ---- to greet for the fellow-workers (v.21-24);

E.  Praise (v.25-27);

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rom. 16:1 “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,”

   YLT: “And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant of the assembly that in Cenchrea --”

Meaning of Words: “commend”: introduce, ; “Phoebe”: illuminate, bright, glorious; “Cenchrea”:; “servant”: ministry;

The Background: according to the custom of the early church, when a believer visited or moved to another church, there had to be an epistle to commend or introduce him by the original church he was in.

Literal Meaning: “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, it was inferred that this epistle was carried to Rome by Phoebe. She might stay in Rome temporarily or might move her house to Rome.

“Who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,” “Cenchrea” was a harbor nine kilometers away from in the east part outside of the city of Corinth. “Our sister…servant”: a sister who serves in the church. This name indicated that she was not a common sister who had some general service, but a minister who had specially appointed ministration (see 1Tim. 3:11).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The female minister shows that the works in the church are not decided by gender, but whether one’s life is mature, or whether one has good testimony in life, or whether one has talent or gift of service.

2)    Concerning the service in the church, there is difference in function, not in personality, and in talent, not in life by nature.

 

Rom. 16:2 “that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. ”

   YLT: “that ye may receive her in the Lord, as doth become saints, and may assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you -- for she also became a leader of many, and of myself.”

Meaning of Words: “worthy of”: ……… ……; “helper”: protect, aid, support;

Literal Meaning: “that you may receive her in the Lord”, to receive brothers and sisters from the heart. One may receive brothers and sisters in his heart first and then serve them outside. Otherwise, it will become vain and hypocritical.

“In a manner worthy of the saints, it means being suited to saints. On one hand our language and walking should be worthy of saints (Eph. 5:3), and our manner to saints should also be worthy of saints on the other hand.

“And assist her in whatever business she has need of you”, it suggested that she was bound to have some task in Rome.

“For indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also”, “helper”, this word commonly referred to those who had possessions, reputation and status in the society at that time.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Believers should often receive one another and have fellowship with the Lord.

2)    In the association of believers with each other, we should forsake the secular custom, but be worthy of saints. We should seek truth instead of falsehood, and holiness instead of filth. It is the spiritual reality that can please God, not apparent luxury.

3)    “For indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also”, not everyone can be an evangelist, but everyone can be a helper of an evangelist. He who perfects others is perfecting himself.

4)    Everyone has his place in the church of God. As long as we are faithful to what is measured by the Lord to us, we shall be approved by the Lord.

 

Rom. 16:3 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,”

   YLT: “Salute Priscilla and Aquilas, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus --”

Meaning of Words: Priscilla”: smaller; Aquila”: eagle;

Literal Meaning: greet Priscilla and Aquila”, they had been tent-makers in Corinth with Paul together (Acts 18:2-3) and served the Lord with Paul in Ephesus (1Cor. 16:19). Therefore, they had intimate relationship of fellow-workers.

  The name of Priscilla is put before the name of her husband Aquila in many places of the Scriptures (Acts. 18:8, 26; 2Tim. 4:19), except for verse nineteen in the sixteenth chapter of the First Book of Corinth, where Aquila is firstly mentioned, for the truth that man is the head of woman is especially emphasized in the First Book of Corinth (see 1Cor. 11:3). The Bible exegetes have two presumptions of this case: 1) Priscilla was spiritually stronger. 2) Priscilla had higher social status before marriage.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The phrase “in Christ” is mentioned for many times in this chapter. All our relationship with others should be in Christ, so should all our life and works.

2)    Christ is not only our life (Col. 3:4) but also the center of our life (Phil.1:20-21). Therefore, all our contact with others, solicitude and respect for others and love to others should be according to the same position of “being in Christ”.

3)    Spiritual fellowship is decided by whether both the two parts involved are in Christ. If one is not in Christ, there will be of no spiritual fellowship.

 

Rom. 16:4 “who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

   YLT: “who for my life their own neck did lay down, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the nations --”

   Literal Meaning: “who risked their own necks for my life, it indicated that they had risked their life to save Paul, but it was not recorded in the Scriptures. Perhaps, it happened when Paul was embroil in the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:28-31).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Priscilla and Aquila were fellow workers of Paul. When Paul was in straitened circumstances, they received him and assisted him (see Acts 18:1-3). When Paul was in difficulty, they even risked their life for Paul’s life. Oh, how beautiful and valuable such fellow workers are!

2)    Priscilla and Aquila were bound to be delivered from their selves, and sought the Lord and the Lord’s things only. Therefore, they could risk their life for Paul so as to let the servant of the Lord work for the Lord without hindrance.

3)    Fellow workers today are usually separated not long after being gathered because of dissensions over opinions, domains, profits and etc. Besides, they attack each other in many ways and disclose the iniquities of others after separation. It is really good example of Paul’s remembrance of and love to his fellow workers.

 

Rom. 16:5 “Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. ”

   YLT: “and the assembly at their house; salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.”

Meaning of Words: Epaenetus”: praise; “Achaia”: east, dust;

Literal Meaning: “likewise greet the church that is in their house”, there was not a particular location for saints to worship or have fellowship in early church times, so they were gathered in the houses of believers.

Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ”, he was the one who first believed the Lord in Achaia.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    It was rather uneasy that Epaenetus was bold to make up his mind to believe into the Lord Jesus when all the others around him were unwilling to receive the Lord. No wonder that the Lord remember him.

2)    Sometimes, one may think that “he is sober and all the rest sleep deeply” in the church. Then, what is really important is “seeing no one but Jesus alone.” (Matt. 17:8).

3)    In the world, the principle of service is the minority is subordinate to the majority. However, in spiritual things, “Many are they who enter in through the gate and way that lead to destruction. Few there be that find the way that leads unto life” (Matt. 7:13-14). Besides, many are called ones, but few chosen ones (Matt. 22:14).

 

Rom. 16:6 “Greet Mary, who labored much for us.”

   YLT: “Salute Mary, who did labour much for us;”

Meaning of Words: “Mary”: rebellion, bitterness; “much”: abundant, common; “labor”: fatigue, toil;

Literal Meaning: greet Mary, there are six “Mary”s in the New Testament: 1) the Lord’s physical mother (Matt. 1:16); 2) Mary Magdalene (Matt. 27:56); 3) Mary in Bethany (John 11:1); 4) Mary, the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25); 5) M ary, the mother of Mark (Acts 12:12); 6) Mary in the church of Rome;

“Who labored much for us”, “labor much”, it suggested in the original that she labored to a very fatigue condition. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We shall abound always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in Lord (1Cor. 15:58).

2)    The Lord will always remember all the toil of us for the sake of Him. Until one day, we may rest from our labors, and our works follow with them (Rev. 14:13).

 

Rom. 16:7 “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

   YLT: “salute Andronicus and Junias, my kindred, and my fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.”

Meaning of Words: “Andronicus”: man of victory; “Junia”: young;

Literal Meaning: “my countrymen and my fellow prisoners”, “countrymen” (see v.11, 21) here perhaps refers to bloodline relations or means that he is a Jewish brother ---- kinsmen (see Rom. 9:3). “Fellow prisoners”, the exact time was not mentioned in the Scriptures. It might be one time of Paul’s “being in prisons exceedingly abundant” (2Cor. 11:23).

“Andronicus and Junia”, the names like “Andronicus”, “Apelles” (v.10) and “Nereus” (v.15) at that time showed that they were of, or servants of the household of Caesar, the Empire of Rome.

“Who are of note among the apostles”, it has two explanations: 1) if the word “apostle” here was in broad sense, it indicated that they were of note among all the fellow workers sent by the churches. 2) If the word “apostle” here was in narrow sense, it revealed that they were regarded highly among the twelve apostles. Since there was a definite article before the “apostles”, many Bible exegetes agreed with the second explanations.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Saints in Rome might fail to recognize Andronicus and Junia until Paul said they were of note among the apostles. The worker of the Lord shall never seek his own reputation.

2)    True reputation is not preached or gained by oneself, but is the honor given by others because of one’s full life, good works and life with good testimony.

3)    Though Paul had already been of great reputation at that time, he still showed rather respect to both of the fellow workers in Christ before him. Today, there are many promising young people who have just got some accomplishments. However, they even despise the elders in the Lord and even neglect the spiritual guidance that the elders had given to them. May we all learn from Paul.

 

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

   YLT: “Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord;”

Meaning of Words: “Amplias”: large;

The Background: according to the investigation of historians, names like “Amplias”, “Urbanus” (v.9), “Narcissus” (v.11), “Rufus” (v.13), “Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas” (v.14), “Philologus and Julia” (v.15) were commonly used by slaves at that time. They might still use their names in the past after having been set free.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Consider your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to flesh, not many powerful, not many high-born (1Cor. 1:26).

2)    The church in Rome was comprised of nobles, slaves, male, female, the Jews, the Gentiles, those who had high social status, and those who were of note ---- they were all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). The fellowship in Christ is beyond the barrier of races, culture, classes and gender.

3)    The premise of spiritual fellowship is not the same level that we are in. spiritual fellowship is completely beyond man’s background without counting one’s birth or social status.

 

Rom. 16:9 “Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.”

   YLT: “salute Arbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved;”

Meaning of Words: Urbanus”: a city, urbane; “Stachys”: a corn of wheat;

  

Rom. 16:10 “Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. ”

   YLT: “salute Apelles, the approved in Christ; salute those of the of Aristobulus;”

Meaning of Words: Apelles”: gifted by Apollos god; “Aristobulus”: the most instructed, the best counselor;

 

Rom. 16:11 “Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ”

   YLT: “salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute those of the of Narcissus, who are in the Lord;”

Meaning of Words: Herodion”: the bondman of Herod; “Narcissus”: lost;

Literal Meaning: Herodion, my countryman”, “countryman”: please see the commentary of verse seven.

Rom. 16:12 “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. ”

   YLT: “salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the beloved, who did labour much in the Lord.”

Meaning of Words: Tryphena”: delicate; “Tryphosa”: effeminacy; “Persis”: a Persian woman;

Literal Meaning: greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord”, “Tryphena and Tryphos” might be twin sisters. The tense of “labor” indicated that they were still laboring for the Lord until then ---- it was worthy of remembrance. 

Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord”, the past tense of “labor” showed that she had labored much for the Lord in the past, but she gave the chances to young brethren because of being old. However, her labor in the past was still worthy of mention.

 

Rom. 16:13 “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.”

   YLT: “Salute Rufus, the choice one in the Lord, and his mother and mine,” Meaning of Words: “Rufus”: red;

Literal Meaning: greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord”, many exegetes held “Rufus” was the son of Simon who was a Cyrenian (see Mark 15:21). Since Simon was forced to bear the cross of the Lord Jesus, he was moved to believe the Lord and bring his wife and children unto the Lord. Their being saved is truly of God who shows mercy (see Rom. 9:15-16).

“And his mother and mine”, its meaning is similar to what the Lord has said, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt. 12:50).

 

Rom. 16:14 “Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them.”

   YLT: “salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them;”

Meaning of Words: Asyncritus”: incomparable; “Phlegon”: burning; “Hermas”: the messenger of the Greek deities; “Patrobas”: father's life; “Hermes”: the messenger of the Greek deities;

 

Rom. 16:15 “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.”

   YLT: “salute Philologus, and Julias, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them;”

Meaning of Words: Philologus”: fond of words, talkative, argumentative, learned; “Julia”: whose hair is soft; “Nereus”: the sea god in the ancient times; “Olympas”: heaven-descended, drink too much;

Literal Meaning: “greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Philologus and Julia” might be a couple; “Nereus and his sister” might be brother and sister. According to this chapter, many members in the church in Rome at that time had family relationship, e.g. Priscilla and Aquila (v.3), the household of Aristobulus (v.10), the household of Narcissus (v.11), Tryphena and Tryphosa were sisters (v.12), Rufus and his mother (v.13).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “The brethren and saints who are with them” are mentioned twice in verse fourteen and fifteen. Paul does not know all of them, and it indicates that spiritual fellowship is not according to our knowledge about our brothers or the degree that we know, but the burden in spirit and fellowship in life.

2)    He who has truly entered into the fellowship of the body of Christ shall not be restricted by time or space. As long as God has put the burden into us, the fellowship between us shall be thus produced.

 

Rom. 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

   YLT: “salute one another in a holy kiss; the assemblies of Christ do salute you.”

The Background: greet one another”, people in the western countries were accustomed to greet by “kiss”. And it was also common in the Middle East and had been maintained up to now.

Literal Meaning:greet one another”, kisses were more intimate than “handshake” (see Gal. 2:9) to the people at that time.

“With a holy kiss”, what Paul emphasizes here is holiness, not kisses. The manner of believers’ greeting varies because of the difference of times and regions, but the most important is “holiness”.

The churches of Christ greet you”, “the churches of Christ”, it indicates that all the churches are of Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We can see from the greeting from verse three to sixteen that the worker of the Lord is so familiar with and so thoughtful to brothers and sisters. Therefore, his greeting is always true and sincere, not vain.

2)    The wide greeting of the apostle Paul was just the manifestation of the full blessing of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:29), providing the needs of many people.

3)    Paul greets brothers and sisters here all the time, for he is one who is filled with peace. Though he was rather busy, he was full of peace inside.

 

Rom. 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

   YLT: “And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;”

Meaning of Words: “urge”: comfort, exhort; note: observe, gaze, take aim at;

Literal Meaning: I urge you, brethren, note those who and avoid them”, those whom Paul urged them to avoid were not those who ate vegetables and kept the day in chapter fourteen (see Rom. 14:2, 6), for many Jews who had truly believed the Lord still kept the customs and rules in the laws of the Jews and they agreed that the Gentiles had not to keep them meanwhile (see Acts 15:10, 19, 28-29).

  “Cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned”, “division”: separation because of faith; “offense”: one leaves the church of the Lord on account of being harmed; “contrary to the doctrine which you learned”: fall away from the faith (Heb. 6:6);

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Contentions, disputes, schools of opinion are all deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). All the doctrines that make believe divine are heresies and are of the flesh.

2)    Some so-called Christians can only divide or offend brothers and sisters or make them fall away from the faith, no matter how sound their words are (see v.18), or how decent their attitudes are (e.g. the Mormons). We shall “note” and “avoid” contacting with them or arguing with them.

3)    To those who cause divisions of saints or churches or make brothers and sisters fall away the truth they have received, the Lord does not ask us to punish them with the hands of flesh, but instructs us to “avoid” them and not to give them chances to speak.

4)    From chapter fourteen of this book, Paul begins to speak of receiving, accepting and having fellowship with one another. However, here there is one kind of men that we shall in no wise accept, or receive or have fellowship with, namely, those who have gone wrong in the truth of faith. Here, we can see that the truth of faith is the sphere within which we can receive and accept one another. We should never go beyond this sphere.

 

Rom. 16:18 “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. ”

   YLT: “for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,”

   Literal Meaning: “those who are such”, they are those whom Paul reminds us to avoid. According to the context, they were those who advocated wisdom, creeping into the church in Colosse. They taught them the heresy of Gnostic, claiming that the spirit and the soul would be separated and one’s soul would finally be saved and the flesh would be perished. Therefore, men did not need to pay attention to the performance of the flesh in this age and could indulge themselves without influencing his soul. This heresy had features as follows:

1)    “Cause divisions” among believers (v.17): they made believers stay in the old men and the works of the old men so that they could not reach oneness in the new men (Col. 3:9-11).

2)    “Offend” believers (v.17): they made believers not walk orderly but minded things on the earth all day so that they might be moved away from the hope of the gospel (Col. 2:5; 3:2; 1:23).

3)    Make believers “contrary to the doctrine which they learned” (v.17): philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ (Col. 2:8).

4)    “Do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ”, they not only did not magnify the Lord themselves, but also not let believers walk in Christ according to Christ, or let them hold the Head (Col. 1:18; 2:6, 8, 19).

5)    “But their own belly”, they taught believers to indulge in the flesh and that they needed not put to death their members upon the earth (Col. 3:5), and their purpose is to satisfy the lusts of his flesh.

6)    “And by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple”, they deceived believers by smooth words and flattering speech so that those who had only superficial knowledge thought their teachings were full of wisdom and richness (Col. 2:3-4, 9-10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The god of those who advocate for the doctrine of heresy is their belly. They mind earthly things and their end is destruction (Phil. 3:19).

2)    There is always a group of men “who do not serve our Lord Christ at all” in the churches all through the ages, but often make mischief “by smooth words and flattering speech” “to deceive the simple” for the purpose of serving “their belly”. We should “avoid” such men (v.17), not receive him into house, nor greet him so as not to partake in their wicked works (2John 10-11).

3)    We should have fellowship with all those who are in Christ, and guard against those who are not in Christ. The difference is: those who are in Christ are serving Christ; those who are not in Christ are serving your belly.

 

Rom. 16:19 “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. ”

   YLT: “for your obedience did reach to all; I rejoice, therefore, as regards you, and I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil;”

   Literal Meaning: your obedience has become known to all”, Paul praises their faith that is proclaimed in the whole world in the outset of this epistle (Rom. 1:8). Now he mentions that their obedience has preached to all. True faith must have obedient attitude, and obedience to God indicates the faith in God.

“I want you to be wise in what is good, “good” in the Bible does not refer to common good things, but God Himself (see Matt. 19:17). Therefore, “wise in what is good”. It means knowing God increasingly and knowing His will and His principle and works.

“And simple concerning evil”, “evil”, opposite to good, refers to things and knowledge extraneous to God. “Simple” is ignorance. Therefore, “simple concerning evil” means one is ignorant of things and knowledge extraneous to God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We need not particularly study the knowledge of heresy (simple concerning evil), but have to read the Scriptures carefully and know the truth (wise in what is good). Then we will know what is true.

2)    The right way of the growth of Christians is to know God increasingly and forsake all that are extraneous to God gradually.

 

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

   YLT: “and the God of the peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you. Amen!”

   Literal Meaning: will crush Satan under your feet shortly”, “shortly”: soon; “crush”: to conquer completely; “your”, that of all saints in Rome.

Note that the paragraph from verse seventeen to twentieth indicates that if we want to have normal church life we should keep away from apostates who are controlled by Satan behind. Therefore, we shall clearly know that the real enemy is Satan.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you”, to crush Satan under your feet is the removal in negative aspect. And the presence of Christ’s grace is the positive provision.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Our God is a God of peace. He is not of disorder but of peace (1Cor. 14:33).

2)    Heresies divide men, but God assembles men. “The God of peace” assembles those who are in division (v.17), thus bringing about peace.

3)    The first step of spiritual war is letting the peace of Christ preside in our hearts.

4)    Christians do not conquer the devil by themselves, but the triumphant power of God.

5)    The presence of the Lord will make us more than conquer.

 

Rom. 16:21 “Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.”

   YLT: “Salute you do Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kindred;”

Meaning of Words: “Timothy”: dear to God, God honors; “Lucius”: illuminative, born in the morning; “Jason”: healer; “Sosipater”: of a safe father;

Literal Meaning: “Timothy, my fellow worker”, “Timothy” is the son that Paul has borne by the gospel (1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2).

  “And Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen”, “Lucius” might be one of the prophets in the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1). “Jason” might be the one who received Paul in Thessalonica and was dragged before the rulers of the city (Acts. 17:5-9). “Sosipater” might be another name of Sopater who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).

 

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

   YLT: “I Tertius salute you (who wrote the letter) in the Lord;”

Meaning of Words: “Tertius”: the third;

Literal Meaning: Tertius, who wrote this epistle”, this epistle was dictated by Paul and written by Tertius. It was said that the epistle of the apostle Paul was often dictated by others for his eyes were not good and Paul “wrote some words with his own hands” in the end (see 1Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; Col. 4:18; 2Thess. 3:17). However, here it was an exception ---- the one who wrote this epistle presented some words of greeting.

  

Rom. 16:23 “Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. ”

   YLT: “salute you doth Gaius, my host, and of the whole assembly; salute you doth Erastus, the steward of the city, and Quartus the brother,”

Meaning of Words: “Gaius”: the lord; “Erastus”: beloved; “Quartus”: the fourth;

Literal Meaning: “Gaius”, he might be the one that was baptized by Paul personally (1Cor. 1:14) and had accompanied Paul to visit Ephesus (Acts 19:29). Now, he received Paul and all the church in Corinth to be gathered in his house.

  Erastus, the treasurer of the city,” “treasurer” was the one who governs the finance of the whole city, so Erastus had a high social status. “Erastus”, he might have accompanied Paul to Ephesus and have been then sent to Macedonia with Timothy (Acts 19:22) and finally remain in Corinth finally (2Tim. 4:20).

“And Quartus, a brother”, someone guessed “Tertius” (v.22) and “Quartus” were brothers in the flesh and were the third and the fourth respectively.

Enlightenment in the Word: all those who are faithful in the Lord shall also gain trust before men in the world. Since Erastus had good testimony and was regarded highly by the regional government. Whatever you do, labor at it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men (Col. 3:23).

 

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

   YLT: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.”

Enlightenment in the Word: there were twenty-two times of greeting in this chapter, and seventeen of them were Paul’s greetings to the saints in Rome, and four of which were of Paul’s fellow worker who wrote the epistle. How cordial and sweet the fellowship in the church at that time was!

 

Rom. 16:25 “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 kept secret since the world began”

   YLT: “And to Him who is able to establish you, according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, in the times of the ages having been kept silent,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Paul concludes this glorious gospel of this epistle by praise of glory. We can see from the praise that Paul has firm assurance of what he preaches ---- “Him who is able to establish you according to…”, for what he preaches are all from revelation (Gal. 1:11-12).

2)    There are three elements of establishing our faith: a) the gospel ----  the gracious provision of God; b) the word of Jesus Christ ---- the power in the word of God; c) the mystery kept secret since the world began ---- the will revealed by God.

 

Rom. 16:26 “but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith--”

   YLT: “and now having been made manifest, also, through prophetic writings, according to a command of the age-during God, having been made known to all the nations for obedience of faith --”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    There are three elements of obedience to the faith among all the nations: a) the manifestation of God’s mystery ---- men should be sent to preach the gospel so that the nations shall hear and believe the faith; 2) the commandment of the everlasting God ---- one shall no longer rebellious or gainsaying; 3) by the prophetic Scriptures made known to… ---- the Scriptures make men wise unto salvation.

2)    Christians should keep the commandment of the eternal God and open the words in the Scriptures to unbelievers so that they may know the faith and believe and follow the Lord.

 

Rom. 16:27 “to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. ”

   YLT: “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to him glory to the ages. Amen.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Paul feels more and more glorious in his praises, and his spirit becomes increasingly exultant that he utters praise and blessings finally. All the right ministry of word should be like this.

2)    God’s gospel of the full salvation in God is to manifest “the manifold wisdom of Him” (see Eph. 3:2-10). Therefore, when the apostle has finished the declaration of the full salvation of God in Christ, he especially points that this God is an alone wise God. May glory unto Him forever. Amen!

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Three Features of Phoebe

A.   “She is our sister” (v.1) ---- who has spiritual relationship with us in life;

B.   “She is a servant of the church” (v.1) ---- who has part with the service in the church;

C.   “She has been a helper of many” (v.2) ---- who is willing to help others;

 

Three Basic Tasks of Common Believers

A.   To response the calling of God to go to serve in the place where the need is most urgent (v.1-3);

B.   To have fellowship, service and pursuit with other believers together (v.5-16);

C.   To avoid false teachers and not receive their doctrines (v.17-20).

 

In Christ

A.   Be fellow workers in Christ (v.3);

B.   Be in Christ before… (v.7);

C.   The beloved in Christ (v.8);

D.   Our fellow worker in Christ (v.9);

E.   Be approved in Christ (v.10);

F.    Who are in Christ (v.11);

G.   Who labor in Christ (v.12);

 

The Blessing of the Gospel

A.   The gospel is the mystery kept secret since the world began (v.25).

B.   The mystery of the gospel is now made manifest (v.25).

C.   The everlasting God commands all nations to have the obedience to the faith (v.26).

D.   The content of the gospel is to preach Jesus Christ (v.25).

E.   God establishes us through the gospel (v.25).

F.    The gospel makes glory unto the alone wise God forever (v.27).

 

The Effect and Nature of the Gospel

A.   The gospel can make men stand firm (v.25).

B.   The gospel preaches “Jesus Christ” by “men” (v.25).

C.   The gospel manifests the mysterious counsel of God (v.25-26).

D.   The gospel began from the past eternity and prophets in the Old Testament until now (v.25-26).

E.   The gospel is for people of all nations (the whole mankind) (v.26).

F.    The gospel gives glory to the alone wise God through Jesus Christ (v.27).

 

See the Praise in the End From the Book of Romans

A.   According to my gospel (v.25) ---- according to my glad tidings (Rom. 2:16);

B.   And the preaching of Jesus Christ (v.25) ---- the word of Christ (Rom. 10:18);

C.   According to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began (v.25) ---- mystery (Rom. 11:25);

D.   is able to establish you (v.25) ---- the Lord is able to make him stand. (Rom. 14:4)

E.   Now the mystery is made manifest (v.26) ---- now without law righteousness of God is manifested (Rom. 3:21);

F.    According to the commandment of the everlasting God (v.) ---- it is of God will call (Rom. 9:12, 15-16, 19);

G.   By the prophetic Scriptures made known (v.) ---- God had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures (Rom. 1:2);

H.   The alone wise God (v.27) ---- O depth of riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God (Rom. 11:33);

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou