New Testament Commentary - Romans 16

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
            CHAPTER 16

Paul salutes divers saints—He counsels the saints to avoid those who cause divisions—They should be wise concerning good, and simple concerning evil.

  1 I COMMEND unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
  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.
  3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
  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.
  5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
  6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
  7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
  8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
  9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
  10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' ahousehold.
  11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the ahousehold of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
  12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
  13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
  14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
  15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
  16 Salute one another with an holy akiss. The bchurches of Christ salute you.
  17 Now I beseech you, brethren, amark them which cause bdivisions and coffences contrary to the ddoctrine which ye have learneda; and eavoid them.
  18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and afair speeches deceive the hearts of the bsimple.
 17a mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned The unity of true solid and simply doctrine cannot be over stated. This is the unity of the faith which brings men to a unity with Christ and with God that they might be one. The spliting of hairs and the exploration of 'mysteries' which divide into opionions and result in confrontation and contention ought to be avoided, ought not to be tolerated and it is that which will cause spilings and apostasy in the chruch. When one seeks after one specific tenent to the extreme that it causes controversy and contention, then one is dividing the faith and no longer walking in that unity of the chruch and with and in God which ought to be maintained in the kingdom of God. Herein a fine line of discussion and contention may be seen to be walked. We may discuss but when all is said a unity of the faith ought to be renewed regardless of the discussion, ideas and concepts therein explored. We must always return to that even center upon which the Doctrine of Christ and the Plan of Salvation rests and marks that unity which all true members of the church may enjoy common ground, faith and unitity in the Kingdom of God.
  19 For your aobedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you bwise unto that which is good, and csimple concerning evil.
  20 And the God of apeace shall bbruise cSatan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
  21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
  22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
  23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
  24 The agrace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
  25 Now to him that is of power to astablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the bmystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
  26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the aeverlasting God, made known to all nations for the bobedience of faith:
  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.