Commentary of the Book of the Romans
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study Romans 16: 1-27
Text:
1 Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a [a]servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the [b]saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a benefactor of many, [c]and of myself as well. 3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5 also greet the church that is in their house.
Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from [d]Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has labored much for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and [e]Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding to the apostles, who also [f]were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord.
Greet Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the [g]saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ greet you. 17 Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own [h]stomach, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all. Therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 24 [i][The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.] 25 Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the Gentiles, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;”
Phoebe, likely a Gentile given her name's commonality in Greek mythology, probably carried Paul's letter.It is unclear whether Paul uses the term "servant" to identify Phoebe as holding the specific church office of deacon, or if he is referring to her as a servant of the church in a broader, more general way. Paul was in Cenchrea, the port of Corinth on the Saronic Gulf, when the book of Romans was sent.
Verse 2: “that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a benefactor of many, and of myself as well.”
A benefactor was an individual of significant wealth and standing who offered financial and/or other resources to support those of a lower social position.
Verse 3: “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,”
Prisca and Aquila, like Paul, were tentmakers. They had accompanied Paul to Ephesus after leaving Rome due to Claudius's decree and were with him in Corinth. They later taught Apollos and eventually returned to Rome.
Verse 4: “who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;”
The specific circumstances of how they "risked their own necks" are not documented, though the event likely took place in either Corinth or Ephesus.
Verse 5: “also greet the church that is in their house.
Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.”
Epaenetus was likely the first convert in Asia, which corresponds to modern-day Turkey, signifying him as the initial "harvest" of believers there.
Verse 6: “Greet Mary, who has labored much for you.”
Paul acknowledges the dedicated contributions of women in the ministry.
Verse 7: “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding to the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”
Andronicus and Junia, interpreted by early commentators as a married couple, were Jewish converts who became Christians ("in Christ") before Paul. They had a distinguished record of service, having been imprisoned with Paul at some point, and served as notable envoys or "apostles" of the churches. The term "apostle" here is used in a broader sense ("little a" to denote "sent ones") than the strict sense of the original Twelve Apostles plus Paul ("capital A").
Verse 8: “Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.”
Ampliatus, whose name was common among slaves, may have been one himself. A tomb bearing his name has been found in the Catacomb of Domitilla, the niece of Emperor Domitian.
Verse 9: “Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.”
Urbanus and Stachys are recognized as typical slave names, with Urbanus being of Roman origin and Stachys of Greek origin.
Verse 10: “Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.”
Apelles, a common Greek name, was likely borne by a faithful individual who had demonstrated distinction through trial. Aristobulus may have been a descendant of Herod the Great and an associate of Emperor Claudius.
Verse 11: “Greet Herodion, my kinsman.
Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.”
Herodian was likely a freedman who adopted the name of his patron, Herod, as was common practice. Narcissus may have been an aide to Claudius who was compelled to commit suicide by Agrippina following Nero’s rise to power.
Verse 12: “Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord.
Greet Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.:
Tryphaena and Tryphosa were likely sisters, as their names come from the same root meaning "gentle" or "delicate." Persis, named for her native Persia, was probably older than the other two women mentioned in this verse, a conclusion drawn because her work is referred to in the past tense.
Verse 13: “Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.”
Biblical scholars widely agree that Rufus was likely one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus' cross, and that this encounter with Christ probably led to Rufus's salvation. Paul's mention of Rufus indicates that the name was familiar to the church in Rome, which is significant given that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome (potentially after Paul's letter circulated). While not Paul's biological brother, Rufus's mother (Simon of Cyrene's wife) had provided care for Paul at some point during his ministry travels.
Verse 14: “Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them.”
The term "Brothers" here likely encompasses both men and women, suggesting that these individuals were the key leaders of two of the Roman assemblies.
Verse 15: “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.”
This constitutes another congregation of believers who were members of the church in Rome.
Verse 16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ greet you.”
Paul encourages the believers to view their greetings, particularly the customary Eastern kiss, as a sacred symbol of their shared fellowship.
Verse 17: “ Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”
Paul's warning against "dissensions and stumblings" points to both doctrinal falsehood and unrighteous practices. We, too, would be wise to heed this serious admonition.
Verse 18: “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own stomach, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”
He plainly states that their divisive attitude is a sin, revealing a focus on self-indulgence and life governed by the flesh. Christians should take heed not to be misled by "flattering and smooth speech."
Verse 19: “ For the report of your obedience has reached to all. Therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
Faith, which has become widely known, is demonstrated through obedience. To be "wise in what is good" necessitates instruction in the Word of God. To be "innocent in what is evil" means to be free from any taint of evil.
Verse 20: “And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Before the final greetings and doxology, Paul offers a promise that is prophetic, linking back to the first biblical promise of deliverance in Genesis 3:15. Satan is identified as the origin of all "evil." "The God of peace" (implying tranquility, but also completeness and moral soundness) will intervene as the Divine Warrior to conquer him. This victory is said to occur "soon." Paul's use of "soon" could refer to events in the near future, or it could reflect the faithful perspective that the "last things" are always imminent.
Verse 21: “Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.”
Timothy was one of Paul's closest coworkers, alongside Silas, after Paul's separation from Barnabas. Timothy is referenced in ten of Paul's letters. Lucius (possibly the same person as Luke), Jason (who may have hosted Paul in Thessalonica), and Sosipater were likely delegates from the churches traveling with Paul to bring the collection to Jerusalem.
Verse 22: “ I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.”
Tertius, Paul's secretary, personally greeted the recipients, having written the letter as Paul dictated it.
Verse 23: “Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.”
Paul may have been living with Gaius when he wrote this. This Gaius is likely the same person mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:14 and possibly the (Gaius?) Titius Justus from Acts 18:7. An Erastus is also mentioned, appearing in Acts 19:22 and 2 Timothy 4:20, though it is uncertain if this is the same individual. The fact that a Christian held such a significant role in Corinth's local government is noteworthy. Finally, nothing is known about Quartus.
Verse 24: “[The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]”
Paul's letters typically conclude with personal news and greetings. The final chapter of Romans is noteworthy for the sheer number of fellow believers mentioned, offering a glimpse into the warmth of the apostle's personal relationships and the fellowship shared by early Christians. Some early manuscripts, however, do omit this verse.
Verse 25: “Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,”
As Paul concludes this epistle, I appreciate how he honors the One who saves, sustains, and will ultimately glorify us. The term "mystery" refers to a truth not disclosed in the Old Testament: the current era in which God is uniting both Jews and Gentiles to form a single entity, the church.
Verse 26: “but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the Gentiles, leading to obedience of faith;”
The message that was already present in the Old Testament is now, with the arrival of Christ, being proclaimed to all nations. This proclamation is not a new Scripture, but rather a universal spreading of the established truth in light of Christ's coming.
Verse 27: “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
The Father is the ultimate source of the gospel's revelation, and for this, He alone is due all credit, praise, and worship. The doctrine of election, redemption, and sanctification is a work of the Trinity:
