ROMANS
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Please turn in your Bibles this evening to Romans chapter 16 as we continue our study through the Word of God and we complete Paul’s letter to the Romans. It has been quite a journey over the past few months as we have seen Paul’s opening salutation in Romans 1:1-7. Then we move into Paul’s introduction in Romans 1:8-17.
Then, from Romans 1:18 through Romans 3:20 Paul moved into his first main division of his letter, a section dealing with condemnation, showing us that the whole world is guilty before God. Paul first looked at the unrighteous heathen who are condemned by creation itself in Romans 1:18-32. Then Paul moves to the self-righteous moralist who is condemned by his conscious in Romans 2:1-16. Then Paul shows us the super religious person who is condemned by the commandments of God in Romans 2:17-29. And lastly, in Romans 3:1-20 Paul shows us that all are guilty before God. Not too encouraging, but Paul does not leave us in that condition!
From Romans 3:21 through Romans 5:21 Paul moves into his second main division of this letter, a section dealing justification. Yes, sin has separated us from God but now the righteousness of God apart from the Law have been revealed to us from heaven, that we are saved by grace through faith and not by the Law through works!
Once we are saved by grace through faith, Paul moves into his third main division of his letter to the Romans, a section dealing with sanctification that covers Romans chapter 6 through Romans chapter 8. Paul shows us that by the power of God’s Spirit we can live lives that are pleasing to God as He molds and shapes our lives.
Then Paul moves into his fourth main division of his letter to the Romans, a section dealing with election that covers Romans chapter 9 through Romans chapter 11. In this section Paul shows us that God is faithful to His promises He made to the Jews, they will come to pass. To show us this Paul speaks of Israel’s past election by God in Romans chapter 9. Then he shows us Israel’s present rejection of the Messiah, of Jesus, in Romans chapter 10. And lastly, Paul shows us Israel’s final restoration to the Messiah, to Jesus in Romans chapter 11. Thus, just as God is faithful to His promises He made to the Jews, He is faithful to fulfill His promises He has made to us!
It is after all that, all that God has done for us that Paul moves into the fifth and final main division of his letter to the Romans, a section dealing with application and it is all based upon surrendering your life to the Lord, consecrating your life to Him as a living sacrifice and this section is covered in Romans chapter 12 through Romans 15:13.
Last week we began Paul’s conclusion of his letter to the Romans, which covered Romans 15:14 through Romans 16:24. In Romans 15:14-21 Paul spoke of his ministry. Then in Romans 15:22-33 Paul spoke of his future plans for service. Tonight, in Romans 16:1-24 we are going to be dealing with Paul’s personal greetings to the brethren in Rome as well as the greetings of others to the brethren in Rome. In this section Paul mentions 33 names, 24 of them were in Rome, 17 men and 7 women. Lastly, Paul will conclude his letter with a closing benediction in Romans 16:25-27. With that said, let’s begin reading in Romans chapter 16, starting in verse 1 and see what the Lord has for us this evening.
Phoebe means “bright, radiant” and as a child of God she shinned brightly as she served the Lord as a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea, a city that was a few miles east of Corinth, on the seacoast. Phoebe was going to Rome, maybe a businesswoman, and Paul is probably sending this letter with her and he wants the brethren in Rome to welcome her and assist her in anything she needs.
Some have a hard time with this, a woman serving in the church! All you have to do is read the Scriptures and you will see that women did play an important role in the church. In Acts 21:8-9 we are told, “On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” The daughters of Philip were prophetess in the church in Caesarea. And here we see Phoebe as a deaconess who cared for the sick believers; took care of the poor, the strangers, the impoverished; baptizing and disciplining women converts and instructing women and children in the faith. And here we see Paul say that she has helped him greatly in the work of the Lord. And folks, women still do play an important role in the church, may we never lose sight of that!
Paul met Priscilla and her husband Aquila on his second missionary journey in Corinth, (Acts 18:2). This couple fled Rome when the decree of Claudius was issued for all Jews to leave Rome. Paul and this couple were tent makers, so they had that in common. But more importantly, they had Christ in common which united them together. When Paul left Corinth they traveled with him until they reached Ephesus, and they remained there as Paul moved on. In Ephesus they ministered to Apollos and wherever they went, their home was opened up to be a place to worship God for the people of that community. After the death of Claudius this couple did return to Rome. Now we don’t know how Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul, helped him out in a difficult situation, the Scriptures don’t tell us. But Paul thanks them for placing their lives on the line for him. You can read of this couple in Acts 18:1-3, 18:24-26, I Corinthians 16:9 and here in Romans.
Listen to how Spurgeon compares two different couples in the New Testament and the testimony each of them left behind. He said:
“When two loving hearts pull together they accomplish wonders. What different associations cluster around the names of ‘Priscilla and Aquila’ from those which are awakened by the words ‘Ananias and Sapphira’! There we have a husband and a wife conspiring in hypocrisy, and here a wife and a husband united in sincere devotion.”
Achaia was the region where Corinth was located and Paul remembers his first convert in this area, Epaenetus, not only does Paul remember his name but you see his heart for this man, that he still cares for him. Paul does not look at those he has lead to the Lord as another notch in his belt, but dear people whom he prays for and loves. What a great lesson for us to learn.
Paul speaks of Mary who worked hard, to the point of being fatigued for the work of Christ and assisting Paul.
Paul speaks of Andronicus and Junia, apparently both Jews, and both were in prison at one time for their faith in Christ, for preaching the Gospel message just as Paul was. These two, maybe husband and wife for Junia is a feminine name, were saved before Paul was, maybe some 25 years before this letter was written. Paul calls them apostles, not part of the 12 but apostles in the sense that they were sent out with the Gospel message, ambassadors for Christ.
Amplias was a common name to give slaves and thus, he still could have been a slave in Rome but free in Christ! Archeological evidence shows that there is a tomb that dates back to the end of the first century or the beginning of the second century in the earliest Christian catacombs in Rome that has the name Amplias on it. It could be this man, but again it was a common name for a slave.
Next Paul greets Urbanus, a Roman name and probably a Roman citizen, and Stachys that is a Greek name.
We know nothing of Apelles except that his life was outstanding in Christ; he was approved in Christ. The word “approved” carries with it the idea of being tested, such as gold and silver passing the test for purity, that wine was not watered down or impure, that is Apelles.
Notice Paul doesn’t greet Aristobulus but his household, which could imply that he was not saved but his family was. According to J. B. Lightfoot, he suggests that this man was the grandson of Herod the Great, the one who had the children in Bethlehem slaughtered after the birth of Jesus.
Herodion, a Jew, and related to the family of Herod but now he belonged to the family of God.\
Narcissus, some believe, was the secretary to Emperor Claudius, having contact with everyone who was to see the Emperor, which made him very prosperous. Again, it does not say that he was saved, but his household.
Tryphena and Tryphosa are two women, possibly twin sisters, whose names mean “delicate” and “dainty.” They too labored in the Lord to the point of exhaustion.
Persis, another woman, who is also a laborer in the Lord, but Paul speaks of this being in the past tense in the Greek, some of your Bibles speak of it that way and I believe it is correct. This may mean, unlike the two women mentioned above, she was older and no longer is able to labor as she once had for the Lord, but she is still a vital part of the body of Christ.
Many feel, as I do, that this Rufus is the son of Simon the Cyrenian, who was from North Africa and who carried the cross for Jesus to Calvary – Mark 15:21. Simon went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and he ended up meeting the Passover Lamb, Jesus, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, and now he and his family are saved!
Paul mentions these four men who may have been the leaders of one of the churches in Rome, for there were many churches, many assemblies there and then he extends his greetings to all the believers of this assembly.
Here again Paul may be addressing another assembly in Rome, its leaders and all the brethren.
Why did we and why did Paul spend so much time mentioning all these names? Keep in mind this was a letter to the church in Rome and thus, Paul made it personal, it showed them he cared for these people, he knew these people and he was encouraging them to continue on in the faith. This was not a letter to theologians but common people who loved the Lord and were serving the Lord. It is as Spurgeon said:
“They were like the most of us, commonplace individuals; but they loved the Lord, and therefore as Paul recollected their names he sent them a message of love which has become embalmed in the Holy Scriptures. Do not let us think of the distinguished Christians exclusively so as to forget the rank and file of the Lord’s army. Do not let the eye rest exclusively upon the front rank, but let us love all whom Christ loves; let us value all Christ’s servants. It is better to be God’s dog than to be the devil’s darling.”
Americans today have become cold, insensitive to others, they are self-seeking for the most part and if you can’t do anything for them, then you are not worth their time. Charles Reich, in his book The Greening of America puts it this way:
“America is one vast terrifying anticommunity. The great organizations to which most people give their working day, and the apartments and suburbs to which they return at night, are equally places of loneliness and alienation . . . Protocol, competition, hostility and fear have replaced the warmth of the circle of affection which might sustain man against a hostile universe.”
May we, as the body of Christ, not be cold and insensitive to people. May we be like Paul, concerned for others, affectionate towards others, having the mind of Christ, which then overflows into our actions. May we show those around us we care!
We find two thoughts here regarding the minds of people, those who cause division among God’s people, and those that deceive God’s people, and both are dangerous. Early on in church history this was a problem and Paul is urging them to pay attention, to be on guard, to be aware of these people. Today, Paul’s message to us is the same, there are still those out there who want to cause division with their false doctrine and deceive those in the body of Christ with their lies and we need to be on guard, we need to be alert!
Jude tells us, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4. The problem is as Newell tells us:
“Mad dogs are shot; infectious diseases are quarantined; but evil teachers who would divide to their destruction and draw away the saints with teaching contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles are everywhere tolerated!”
Paul, in Acts 20:27-32, as he was meeting with the Ephesian elders before he went to Jerusalem, said: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
We need to be on the alert because deception is just that, and we need to know what we believe so that we won’t be deceived. Look at the Jehovah Witnesses and how they confuse so many Christians with their false doctrine. Look at the Mormons, who also think they are Christians and want to be called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and yet they are not Christian and they pervert the Gospel message with their false doctrine and some Christians believe it! Thus, learn what is good, what is truth, the Word of God and you won’t be deceived!
The word “simple” or “innocent” in verse 19 is the Greek word AKERAIOS (ak-er’-ah-yos) and it speaks of being unmixed, simple, pure. In other words, don’t become polluted with the false doctrine that is out there but hold onto that which is good, God’s Word!
As we stand up for God with His truth, Satan and his followers are crushed. Ultimately God will crush Satan completely as we see the fulfillment of Genesis 3:14-15, “So the LORD God said to the serpent: ‘Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.’” come to pass in Revelation 20:10, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Tertius was Paul’s stenographer, he wrote this letter down for Paul as Paul dictated it to him. The thing I want you to notice once again is the love that Paul has for people as he called them by name; spoke highly of them to others, which must have made them feel special. That is the heart of God seen in Paul, for our God makes us feel special by His love for us. He even numbers the hairs on our head, He knows us that intimately, down to the tiniest detail!
Timothy was like a son to Paul, a son in the Lord and in Philippians 2:19-22 Paul says, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.” Next is Lucius, who some believe is the man who commissioned Paul and Barnabas from Antioch for their missionary journey, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, in Acts 13:1-3. Others feel this is just another form of the name Luke, the beloved physician and only Gentile writer of the New Testament. Jason and Sosipater were probably fellow Jews and that is why it seems probably that Lucius was Luke, for Paul does not speak of him being a kinsman, a fellow Jew. Gaius was probably a leader in the church in Corinth; he housed Paul and the brethren of believers meet in his house. He is probably Titus Justus from Acts 18:7 and whose full name was Gaius Titius Justus, the man whose house was next to the synagogue in Corinth. Erastus was the treasurer in the city of Corinth. Lastly, Quartus could be the biological brother of Erastus but most likely he was a brother in the Lord. What a heart Paul had for people!
In his book on Romans, R. Kent Hughes has this to say regarding the coldness of America and what people are longing for. He tells us:
We live in a heartless world. The recent United States census missed at least 5.7 million people who were anonymous even to the census takers. Every year thousands of unidentified and even unidentifiable bodies are found across North America. And only one out of twenty such bodies ever has a name attached to it! Our society has become a breeding ground for lonely people. Life in today’s world is very much like the unwritten rule in elevators: “No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management.”
A survey was taken recently in a suburban area of Houston to find out what had motivated people to choose the particular church where they were members. Some surprising answers were given: 12 percent chose their church because of prior denominational affiliation, 8 percent on the basis of the architectural beauty of the structure, 3 percent because of the person in the pulpit, 18 percent because of convenience of location, 21 percent because people in the congregation whom they respected. But a whopping 37 percent were influenced by the fact that friends and neighbors took an interest in them and invited them. Take Paul’s heart to heart. It can make all the difference in the world – and for eternity.
- R. Kent Hughes, Romans, p. 301
Now Paul closes this letter out, which it seems he has been trying to do for a while, but he loves the Lord and them so much, it is hard to say good-bye! This letter closes with a benediction or a short praise unto God. Paul just spoke of the dangers out there from the dividers and the deceivers but he gives them words of encouragement; that God will establish, strengthen them and us in the faith that is found in Jesus Christ! It is as Paul said in Ephesians, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21.
The word “mystery” used here in verse 25 is not like our English word but it speaks of something that was hidden in former times but now has been revealed to us or specifically to Paul. And Paul is speaking of those things that were hidden in the Old Testament, for example, the coming together of Jews and Gentiles into one body in Christ, they are now revealed to us in the New Testament and for believers in those days, in these letters and through word of mouth as Paul shared these things as well as the other writers of the New Testament.
Paul spoke of this in Ephesians 2:11-22, “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Jews and Gentiles united together in one body in Christ Jesus – what a debt we owe to Him that we might be partakers of the heavenly glory!
This plan of God, seen in the work of Jesus, is beyond the wisdom of any man, and yet God brought it forth and thus, He gets the glory. This letter has been called, The Gospel According to Grace because that is Paul’s point throughout this letter as Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17. Paul laid it all out for us as he showed us that we are condemned before God because of our sin, we are justified before God through Jesus Christ, we are being sanctified through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we have been elected by God and thus, we need to apply all that God has for us to our lives. What a powerful book if we learn these lessons and apply them, and as Paul said as he concluded, let me leave you with his words, “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 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 — to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27.