Romans

Romans Chapter 16

• Romans 16:1 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 succorer of many, and of myself also. 

Here Paul was commending Phebe, a dear sister in the Lord who served the church at Cenchrea very faithfully. He asks that the other believers would assist her in her duties. She helped many people and offered her service freely. Perhaps Paul saw that she needed help to bear the burdens she took upon herself. I've met people like that in my lifetime.

• Romans 16:3 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. 

Here is two people who were willing to lay down their lives on behalf of Paul. So we see that women as well as men ministered to the saints and shared the gospel for Priscilla and Aquila were also teachers according to the book of Acts. 

There are believers in Christ today that lay down their lives for each other in countries where the gospel is forbidden.

• Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
• 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 
• 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
• 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 
• 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

This Jew knew of Christ and was zealous for the Lord but he didn't know of anything but the baptism of John. He needed to know more. 

The written scriptures, teachers, preachers, and the Holy Spirit are given to us that we study and learn more of God after we come to Christ. Converts need to be instructed and taught. There is no end to seeking God, studying and praying becoming fruitful and abounding in the word of the Lord and at the same time keeping up our zeal to win the lost. 

• 2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

I remember times when I use to iron clothes years ago. I have since abandoned that practice except on rare occasions. I propped my bible nearby. I would read a passage of scripture and then iron a section. It made the ironing less boring for sure while I fed my soul the word of God.

• Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 

Paul mentions that greetings be bestowed upon women as well as men who labor in the Lord. I notice that the church was in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. We need to be careful not to criticize house churches for they have their place and if God calls them to worship at home with a smaller group, who are we to judge. They might reach someone who may never go to a church building. 

On the other hand, for the house church people to tear down the ministries that meet in church buildings would equally be wrong. It is great to have a central location to worship so that everyone considers the place of worship to be their special place and not owned by one individual. So whichever we find ourselves in, we need to be faithful and not tear down one another's ministries. Small church, house church, large church or mega church, let's worship God and glorify God, teaching the word of truth faithfully without murmuring and complaining. We should not build a church or fellowship by just being negative about all the others.  

• Romans 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us. 
• 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, 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' household. 
• 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 
• 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored 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 a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 
• 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 

Not all division is bad but the ones that cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine which is learned and taught from the word, is to be avoided. 

Sometimes a subject comes up when the one who offends is the one in the right. This needs to be done in the spirit of meekness and much much prayer. If the word is not received, he or she must quietly leave and join with those with like faith unless it is a trivial matter that has nothing to do with one's salvation or walk with the Lord. 

Some cause trouble and division though to gain followers after themselves being jealous over the leadership. Those kind we need to avoid. They can go start their own church instead of disrupting one that already has a messenger called of God. This is an area that is of much concern. 

We can be totally right and still be totally wrong in the way we handle the disagreement. Remembering the words of Jesus is best. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples when you have love one toward another." We can't beat that. 

• Romans 16:18 For 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. 

No faithful preacher will always use good words and fair speeches at all times. There is a need for correction, rebuke, reproof and warning also when the word is preached. Fair speeches deceive the hearts of those that are not well learned in the scriptures. If we have ear tickling speakers today that only preach all good and no correction when there is a need for correction, it's not a good thing to have. On the other hand, to assume everyone is failing and no one is doing good can be discouraging. Finding fault all the time is depressing so we need to be always seeking the Lord in what we say or write. 

• Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
• 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
• 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
• 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
• 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

We see here that we don't just win people to Jesus Christ and then depart and go somewhere else without leaving behind someone to teach, instruct and disciple the new converts.

• 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 
• 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 
• 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We must try to avoid fables and stories that are contrary to the word of God and never place it above the word of God given to us in written form by those God chose to write it down. Some have given their lives to translate the words in different languages for all to understand.

• Romans 16:19 For 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. 
• 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 

The first part of this was done at the cross but at His Second coming, the final work of Christ will be accomplished when all evil is done away, rewards are given and Satan is stopped once and for all time. 

• Romans 16:21 Timothy 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 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 
• 25 Now to him that is of power to establish 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, 
• 26 But 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: 
• 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. 

How can we ever think that the Old Testament doesn't link up with the New? The prophets of old foretold of the coming of the Messiah who would save people from their sins. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. 

We must keep seeking and growing in the Lord praying for one another and contending for the faith once delivered to the saints endeavoring to walk in the spirit and stay in our first love for Jesus Christ and all His has taught us. One more thing we need to do is remember the persecuted church that suffers for the cause of Christ. Following Voice of the Martyrs is one way to keep up with those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. They have a daily prayer guide for us to prayer for the countries that suffer persecution.  DC