The Epistles · Chapter 16 of 16

Romans 16

Paul closes the letter with warm greetings, commending Phoebe and saluting a long list of coworkers, kinsmen, and households in the Roman church. He warns them to watch for those who cause divisions and to stay wise about good and innocent of evil, promising that God will soon crush Satan under their feet. He ends with a soaring doxology to the God who establishes believers through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What happens in Romans 16

Paul commends Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, asking the Romans to receive and assist her. He then greets a remarkable list of believers: Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives for him, Epaenetus the firstfruits of Achaia, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, and many more, noting the labor of each, including several women who labored much in the Lord. He calls them to greet one another with a holy kiss. Paul then interrupts with a sharp warning to mark and avoid those who cause divisions contrary to sound doctrine, serving their own appetites and deceiving the simple with smooth speech.

He assures them that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet. His companions add their greetings. Paul concludes with a doxology to the God who is able to establish them according to the gospel, the mystery now revealed to all nations, to the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ.

Romans 16 in context

Chapter sixteen is the closing of Romans, mostly a series of personal greetings that reveals the wide network of Paul's relationships and the presence of a substantial Christian community in Rome before he had even visited.

The many named women and coworkers illustrate the collaborative, relational nature of the early church. Paul ends with one of the most exalted doxologies in his letters.

Main themes of Romans 16

Romans 16 (KJV)

1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2That 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. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. 11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Verses to carry from Romans 16

“Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”Romans 16:16

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

“To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”Romans 16:27

Reflection

This closing shows a faith carried by real people whose labor was seen and named. It asks whether we value the ordinary coworkers of the gospel and whether we can be both warm in fellowship and wise about what threatens it. Let the doxology draw your own struggles up into praise of the God who establishes you.

A prayer from Romans 16