Romans 16

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Romans 16

A PICTURE OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST


We are prone to honor Paul and forget the many ordinary people who helped make his ministry possible. Paul was the human author of the epistle to the Romans, but Tertius wrote it down (v. 22), Gaius gave Paul a place to live and work (v. 23), and Phoebe carried the completed letter to Rome. Nobody in Gods family is unimportant to Him, and no ministry is insignificant. Find the work He wants you to do and faithfully do it.1

There are a number of general truths in this passage 1. Paul was a man with many friends and he greets them by name. He did not live as a loner like some unhealthy Christians. Only a believer can have so many friends.
2. Many

of the names here were those whom he had led to the Lord. He was a true shepherd like his Saviour. He calls his sheep by name. He cared for all those whom he had been instrumental in saving. We must care for the converts as parents care for their children (Cf. 1 Thess. 2:6-12).

1Warren

W. Wiersbe, With the word Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by Warren W. Wiersbe.
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3. There were many churches not one church in Rome. It is not the mind of God to have huge assemblies of thousands in one place.

This chapter gives us a picture of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

1. Friends of Paul vv. 1-6

1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

I commend unto you The word commend in the Greek expresses not just an introduction but an expression of praise. Paul commends Phebe and describes her as sister, servant, saint, and succourer.

Phebe Phebe is not mentioned any where else in Scripture. She was named for the Greek goddess, Artemis or Diana, who in Greek mythology was the goddess of the moon, as her brother, Apollo, was the god of the sun.2
2J.

Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.
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Phebes name means bright, shining or pure and she lived up to the truth of 2 Cor. 3:18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. She reflected the character of the Lord Jesus in her life.

Her name shows that she was a Gentile and from an idolatrous background when she was saved. 1 Thess. 1:9-10 is true of her. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

She just passed on the letter to the Roman believers and she did it faithfully. No one can calculate the blessing that has resulted in this epistle being preached during the past two thousand years. Let us see to it also that we faithfully pass on the Word of God to others. Let God do His work and let us see that we are available to be His channel of blessing. We are only postmen with good news of the gospel for this world. Let us pass it on. We might not see the immediate results but because it is Gods word we can be sure there will always be results.

our sister, Phebe is a believer and she is a sister in the Lord. As believers we must remember that our relationship to each other in Christ is far closer than any earthly relationships.
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which is a servant This is the only instance in the New Testament of the use of the word diakonos of a woman. It denotes one who renders service of any character to another. There is no ground for assuming that Phoebe was a deaconess.3 The word diakonon, servant, is used for the office of deacon (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 10, 12) as well as used generally (Rom. 15:8; 1 Cor. 3:5).4 She minister according to the place God has given to women in the Church. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Hospitality Teaching younger women Teaching children Care of the sick Witnessing

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 succourer of many, and of myself also.

for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.


3W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England. 4Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
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Prostatis, succorer, is a feminine of prostates, and is a word of dignity, evidently chosen instead of another which might have easily been used. It indicates the high, not to say honorable, position which perhaps she occupied.5 Phoebe was a Gentile Christian from the port city of Cenchrea. Her name, derived from Greek mythology, means pure or radiant as the moon. Paul described Phoebe as a servant (Gk. diakonon) and helper (Gk. prostatis). She may have been a patron of some sort. In Greek cities, rulers routinely appointed patrons to look after the interests of foreigners. Therefore, Phoebe probably functioned in an official capacity to protect the rights and meet the needs of Cenchreas numerous foreign visitors and resident Jews. She was obviously a person of significance who used her wealth and influence in the service of the Christians there.6 Paul confessed that Phebe had been a helper (literally protectress) of himself and other Christians. And he encouraged the church to care for her. 7 Helper means patron or benefactor. It implies that Phoebe was a person of wealth and position. Many have suggested that it was she who carried this letter to Rome.8 Phebe had a gift of giving comfort to those who were distressed and downcast. What a great need there is for such today. She was gifted and was a blessing to many.
5W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England. 6Dorothy Kelley Patterson, general editor; Rhonda Harrington Kelley, managing editor, Womans study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995. 7Wiersbe, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books) 1997. 8Earl D. Radmacher, general editor; Ronald B. Allen, Old Testament editor, Nelson study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997.
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3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

They had originally fled from Rome when the Emperor Claudius ordered all Jews to leave. From this greeting it seems clear that the Jews were allowed to return after some time and they went back to their home. The order of the names is important in Scripture. When it comes to helping, Priscilla is mentioned first as the more prominent and when it comes to teaching in Acts 18:26, Aquila is mentioned first. Women are foremost in Scripture as those who helped those who preach the gospel.

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.

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: Laid down is, literally placed their neck under the axe. Romans were executed by beheading so this speaks of a grave danger that Paul was in and they stepped in to save his life at the risk of their own. The singular neck shows that it is figurative of imminent death and not actual execution. Paul was in dangers often and we are not told of this heroic act of theirs in the Bible but when they were needed they were willing to die for him.
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unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. This makes clear that the circumstance referred to was widely known, and suggests that it was not of very recent occurrence, sufficient time having elapsed for the news to spread among the churches. 9 The result was that Paul could continue his ministry to the Gentile and thousands were brought into the kingdom and blessed. We too in our day and age can give God thanks for this couple who lived and died nearly two thousand years ago for we are saved as a result of Pauls labours amongst the Gentiles. Theirs was a Christ like sacrifice willing to lay down their life for their friend. Cf. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. The phrase the churches of the Gentiles signifies the churches which had been formed in the various gentile nations.10

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

9W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England. 10W.E. Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Aquila and Priscilla were well off and had a home big enough for the Church to meet in. They showed hospitality to the saints.

Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, Paul had a special affection for being the first of his converts in Achaia. Epaenetus means praiseworthy and lived up to his name for Paul praises him as my wellbeloved. Four persons are called beloved by Paul: Epenetus (Rom. 16:5), Amplias (Rom. 16:8), Stachys (Rom. 16:9), and Persis (Rom. 16:12). It is, however; impossible to infer the nationality from the name with any certainty, since it was common for the Jews to have a second name, which they adopted during their residence in heathen countries. Compare John Mark (Acts 12:12); Justus (Acts 1:23); Niger (Acts 13:1); Crispus (Acts 18:8). (Vincent)

who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Epenetus apparently belonged to the household of Stephanas. Cf. 1 Cor. 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) Paul describes the first people he saw saved in a given region as the firstfruits. This because the Lord Jesus described the salvation of souls as the reaping of a harvest. Cf. John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
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In the Old Testament the law required that the firstfruits of the harvest should be presented to God. Cf. Exodus 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mothers milk. This was a way of thanking God for the harvest. Paul saw the first converts as a beginning and guarantee of a harvest to come.

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Mary is the same name as Miriam in the Hebrew and means obstinacy, rebelliousness. Women are much praised by the apostle for their work for the Lord. This refutes the wicked notion that Paul hated women. Not all are missionaries and preachers of the gospel but all may assist others who are involved in it. Without the hospitality and care shown by godly women, Paul would have been much hindered in the gospel.

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Salute Andronicus and Junia, The latter name may be either masculine or feminine. It might be a contracted form of Junianis a mans name or Junia a womans name. If such then she might have been his sister or wife. my kinsmen,
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The primary meaning is related by blood and is also used in the sense of fellow countrymen It has been a debate amongst scholars whether they were Pauls relatives or fellow Jews from the tribe of Benjamin. It seems from what is said that they were his actual relatives. and my fellowprisoners, They were put in prison together but we do not know at what point in Pauls ministry. We can see from this that the sufferings of Paul recorded in the Acts are only a glimpse of what he went through. There were believers willing to associate with him in his imprisonment.

who are of note among the apostles, Of a note means in the Greek bearing a mark The phrase either means that they were apostles i.e. not official divinely commissioned but apostles those who were sent on a mission by their church or that they were noted or respected amongst the apostles for their life. Since they were willing to go to prison for their faith it is no surprise that they drew the admiration of the apostles. If Junia is a woman then the second meaning is the most likely one since women do not have the place of leadership or are called apostles elsewhere in Scripture.

who also were in Christ before me. This statement seems to imply that they relatives of Paul for he does not speak of other Jewish believers in this way. No doubt they prayed much for him in his unconverted days while he was persecuting the church.

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8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Shortened form of Amplaitus

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Urbane, Urbanus was a mans name meaning city bred Urbanus is a name also found in a list of imperial freed men, which suggests that he may have obtained his liberty.11

our helper in Christ, Helper is labourer. He was a man who did not just work for the Lord but toiled till he was exhausted. Christ was the sphere in which he laboured i.e. for the glory of the Lord Jesus.

and Stachys my beloved. This name means an ear of corn Stachys is a Greek name, of masculine gender, and comparatively rare.12

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus household.
11W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England. 12W.E. Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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Salute Apelles approved in Christ. This suggests that he had gone through a fiery trial and had stood the test. As a result he gained the esteem and approval of his brethren.

Salute them which are of Aristobulus household. He was the grandson of Herod the Great. Paul greets the slaves in his household who were saved. It implies that Aristobulus was not.

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Herodion my kinsman. He was probably therefore a Jew or a relative of Pauls. He was probably the only Jewish slave in the household of Aristobulus.

Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Narcissus was probably another slave owner who was not saved and Paul greets the believing slaves spoken of as in the Lord. The mention of slaves shows how those on the lowest social ladder are not excluded from blessing or Pauls greetings. It is a lovely reminder that in Christ we are all one in Him.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
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Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. These were almost certainly sisters by natural relationship.13 Their names come from a Greek word meaning to to live luxuriously Delicate and Dainty is another way of saying their names. From trufa>w to live luxuriously. See on riot, 2 Peter 2:13. Perhaps sisters. Farrar says they are slave-names. (Vincent)

Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Her service is spoken of in the past tense showing that she had now retired possibly due to age. Her past labours are not forgotten by the Lord or His apostle.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Salute Rufus Rufus is a Latin name and means red This could be the same Rufus whose father carried the cross of the Lord Jesus to Golgotha. The encounter with the Lord saved him and his family. It was a well known family as Mark tells us. Cf. Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. The father is not greeted so it implies that he was dead and Rufus and his mother had moved to Rome.

13W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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chosen in the Lord, Rufus was chosen in the Lord. This would scarcely refer to the election of grace, which is common to all believers, but indicates some special approval by which he was distinguished for his excellence or his usefulness in service to Christ.14 His father was chosen of God to have the honour of bearing the cross of the Lord Jesus in His hour of deepest need.

and his mother and mine. It means she was like a mother to Paul. Paul has the greatest affection for such. It was like being at home for Paul. Cf. Mark 10:29-30, And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. In places like Rome, where Christians came from various lands, meetings were held in different houses, there being no public building where large meetings of believers were possible, even had

14W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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they been permissible. This seems to be indicated in the present phrase.15

15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, His name means, lover of the word or talkative Julia was probably his wife.

Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, Possibly these were their children and Olympas was another member of their family.

and all the saints which are with them.

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Salute one another with an holy kiss A kiss was an ordinary mode of greeting between those of the same sex as it still is in many countries. In this country it has been replaced with the hand shake.
15W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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Slaves and masters, Jew and Gentle were to kiss each other. This was unthinkable before but Christ had broken down all distinctions. The kiss was to be holy, hagios, i.e., free from everything unworthy of their calling as saints (hagioi). One can imagine some masters kissing their servants who are believers in the assembly but with great reluctance. This would not be a holy kiss, a kiss worthy of a fellow saint of God. The kiss of Judas was the most unholy kiss when he kissed the Lord to point Him out to the band of soldiers. There are many kisses in our culture, but they are most often a Hollywood kiss, not a holy kiss. (Robert Deffinbaugh)

The churches of Christ salute you. The churches of Achaia send greetings to them through Paul. The phrase the churches of Christ is found here only in the New Testament. It marks them in their relationship to Christ, as His possession.16

16W.E.

Vine, Collected writings of W.E. Vine [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by W.E. Vine Copyright Ltd. of Bath, England.
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