Paul's letter to the Romans
A letter of
Romans 16 - ASV
1. I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae:
Phoebe served in the church/assembly.
Apostleship is unimportant.
2. that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
Apostles need help from other saints.
3. Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
They really worked. They came to mind quickly.
We are not idol souls.
4. who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:
Love is as strong as death.
many are blessed by the deeds of others.
5. and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.
House church is not without scriptural record.
Church of Christ started in houses. So many households.
The first-fruits, the first churches.
They remained a house group.
6. Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you.
Remember this Mary. You know her.
7. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.
Special reminder for certain brethren.
8. Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.
Remember. Care for. Remember me, then, remember him. We are all in the Lord Jesus.
9. Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
They are all important.
Some work with Paul more than other beloved.
10. Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus.
Not approved in the church. More important still the person is made known of his approval in Christ.
All those of certain household are counted, for their unity.
11. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.
More salutation. A list of care.
People are remembered as individuals, small communities. Nobody is lost in the great commonwealth.
12. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
It is important to labor in the Lord. Such brethren are specially remembered. No labor is or will be in vain.
There is appreciation right here. They are important examples for Christians, followers of Christ.
There are those who do not labor in Christ. For by Faith are we saved in Christ, lest anyone should boast. Some came to repentance too late to have done much glorious work for the love of Christ our Lord. Little expression of love remain to warm our hearts further.
13. Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
He is chosen in the Lord; regardless of his deeds, careers. God takes initiation.
Rufus appears to be the brother of Paul, the writer behind this letter.
14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.
Remember. Do not be selfish.
15. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.
Remember them all.
All the saints are living, and you will meet them here on earth.
Saints are not made after believers are dead.
The names of the saints need not be ascertained in the first place. Their identity depends on they being with Christ.
16. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
Very intimate yet within understanding and reason.
There is not to be one assembly/church alone on earth, even at the very early days of the Church of Christ.
Unity does not depend on having one large organisation.
Unity depends on individuals. We greet and know them one by one.
We have much to do. We have much to care for.
Paul is showing us the commandment of Christ told by Peter and John, that Christians love one another. Active service of care and attention is required, to keep our hearts piping hot for Christ and our brethren.
This is never too repetitive. You build up love and the church by building.
One can have many in mind. This is a demonstration of such possibilities. Each group can interact with others. A compounding effect.
17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
I do not just ask you. I take this matter very seriously for your benefit.
Now, Paul even beg for attention and action. Destruction by divisions is opposite to love. Division because of love is not condemned here. Love can cause certain division. One is to identify and differentiate the two. Things are black and white only if people are attentive.
Turning away, and separate the good ones from evil/false doctrines is an example of love by division. The Word teaches us to be holy, be separated, be set apart from the World, from Sin, from evil influence, and from whatever is not of God, so that we may be pure and established in Christ our Lord.
Love does not delight in what is false, ungodly, and sinful.
Love and righteousness rejects alien doctrine, pseudo-christians. Love does not just keep accepting.
Love is not blind.
18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
Certain people amongst us do not serve the Lord. They are very different. They are not spiritual in motive; but secular. They stole into our assemblies with enticing words and attractive acts.
They are able people, skilled in expression.
All Christian principles must spring from Christ. Life in Christ is to live.
19. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.
Fame does spread. Good examples can spread.
Godliness encourage our brethren to rejoice and to grow.
Build yourselves up in what is good. Dwell on them always.
20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Je is the God of peace. This peace is completness, perfection. Blessings upon blessings.
Brokenness is whatever that is away from God.
21. Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
Timothy also worked with Paul. Salutation should be common. This is an expression of love and care.
You are saluted as well. We are not just asking, we are actively giving.
By the way Paul also remember his kinsmen. This dispell the notion that brethren means kinsmen.
22. I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord.
A change of name, represents a fellowship, a group of brethren partook in the production of this letter of Paul, sprung from the source of Love - the Almighty.
Paul needed only signing his letter with some sort of marking, such as his own signature.
The writer wanted to salute, to show more love upon love as well. Please do not overlook the emphasis.
23. Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
Paul did not live in a church building. His host was not the vicar, hardly the priest, the bishop.
One person hosted the whole church.
24. [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]
Remember His free gifts.
I truly wish you the most important blessings of our Lord.
Let it be so!
25. Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,
Not any other gospel. The gospel preached by Paul, which is the preaching of Jesus Christ.
The mystery is revealed to Paul. It is made known now. No earlier, no later.
We have come a long way. God has His timing.
26. but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith:
Everything is in accordance with the commandment fo the eternal God.
27. to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.
We do not presume to be wise.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
God is the reality, He is the certainty.
Let it be so. Even so, YES LORD!
David Lim
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