Paul builds a sense of community in his final greetings. We learn a bit more about the other early church characters that built the foundation of the church.
Romans 16: Personal Greetings
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,
2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.
12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Final Instructions and Greetings
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
24
Doxology
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 that was kept secret for long ages
26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith---
27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Things to think about…
1. In Paul’s final greetings to the church in Rome he mentions many faithful women who have helped him and supported his work. He begins by mentioning Phoebe who was a patron or a representative (a servant) from the church in Cenchreae. We know Jesus was supported in His earthly ministry by many women, Luke 8:1-3. The same is the case with Paul. Other women who are mentioned here are Prisca (Priscilla), Mary, possibly Junia? – debated, Rufus’ mother, Julia and others. The Christian gospel elevated women to a place of honour and dignity. May we not be sold a worldly and inappropriate half measure that the world would offer in attempting to do the same. May our women feel secure, supported, protected and blessed as they are given the freedom and guidance to use their gifts and talents in Christian ministry.
2. Remember Priscilla and Aquila who instructed the evangelist Apollos more clearly in the gospel in Acts 18. Acts says Paul met them in Corinth after they fled from Rome under the persecution of Claudius who decreed all Jews must leave Rome. Like Paul they were tentmakers. They followed Paul to Ephesus and began a church in their home, 1Cor16:9. We see them still ministering in Ephesus many years later as they are mentioned in Paul’s letter to Timothy who is also ministering at Ephesus in 2Tim4:19. What a blessing it is to have faithful ministers in the gospel that support you over many years. Paul calls them ‘my fellow workers in Christ Jesus”, Rom 16:3. What a blessing it is when this service is within the context of a godly marriage as with Priscilla and Aquila. They were not afraid to risk their lives either, vs 4. Remember like Paul they were Jews and yet were a great blessing to the Gentile churches, vs 4.
3. Do you remember the first person you led to Christ? Paul remembers the first convert in Asia, Epaenetus, vs 5. Perhaps you have never led anyone to the Lord, or perhaps it has been many years. Why not pray that the Lord uses you to bring someone to faith this year. Maybe more than one or two, what a blessing that would be to them but also your own faith!
4. Andronicus and Junia were also Jewish and ‘in Christ’ before Paul, vs 7. Some believe the text should say “well known known among the Apostles” and then argue that they were apostles. The absurdity of this conclusion is self-evident. If this is what Paul meant, then why are they not well known as Apostles by us? We know all the other Apostles without a doubt, even Mathias who replaced Judas and was numbered among the Apostles, Acts 2:15-26. He is better known. This reference in Romans 16 is the only mention of Andronicus and Junia in the NT. They were not well known as Apostles, because they weren’t Apostles, they were simply well known by the Apostles. They were likely converted in Jerusalem as it says they were ‘well known to the Apostles’, vs 7. What a blessing to have been well known by the pillars of the Christian faith. But more than this, what a blessing to be known by Christ Himself. Hallelujah!
5. There are so many Greek names in this list. Narcissus is mentioned in Rom 16:11. He is named after the Greek god who was so vain he fell in love with his own reflection and died. What a blessing for those who have a new name and identity in Christ. One day we will have a new name for eternity to reflect our true identity in Christ.
6. The phrase ‘in the Lord’ is mentioned 7 times. It denotes community in Christ. There are a number of ‘beloved’s’ and ‘fellow workers’ in here as well. These all describe unity, fellowship and purpose within the Roman church.
7. Paul sends his greeting. The word ‘greet’ is in Romans 16 twenty-two times. But greeting must be more than words. Again, we see ‘greet one another with a holy kiss’, vs 16. Our godly affection for each other must be evident and on display. Note this is never awkward, difficult or inappropriate. Our displays of affection must honour Christ and be a blessing to others.
8. Paul says that the Lord will soon crush Satan under their feet, Rom 16:20. Christ has certainly done that at the cross. It was confirmed by our Lord’s resurrection. But here perhaps Paul is speaking to the persecution that Christians were suffering at Rome. They were asked to leave at one point under emperor Claudius in the year 49 and Priscilla and Aquila were part of that exodus, Acts 18:2, 3. Claudius died in 54AD and Jews were allowed to return to Rome. Nero however is on the throne at this point and we know his wickedness in general and in particular towards Christians. Satan has a season and then is gone. Nero died in 68AD aged 30. We pray that we are given grace in any difficult season and that Satan is put under our feet as we see his kingdom retreat and Christ’s kingdom come.
9. Look at the final purpose of Paul’s letter and these final greetings, Rom 16:25-27. May our Lord receive ‘glory forevermore’, vs 27. ‘Amen’ indeed!
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Wild fires in LA, California. Pray for peace, restoration and the gospel
2. Leadership team preparing for this year’s events and ministry.
3. Working bee – attendance and getting jobs done Sat 18th Jan.
4. Conversions and more visitors this time of year.
5. Prayer for Israel and Ukraine.
6. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the ways forward whether with our friends at the Drive-in or elsewhere.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. New visitors on Sunday.
2. Café, music, sound and technical team every week
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Ministries start back on the 29th Jan. Life group, Kids@Church.
2. Working bee at Church 18th Jan 8am
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for January...
Q. 28. What effect did Adam’s sin have on all mankind?
A. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.
