Romans 16

Paul’s Greetings and Benediction

This sixteenth chapter is neglected by many to their own loss. It is by far the most extensive, intimate and particular of all the words of loving greeting in Paul’s marvelous letters. No one can afford to miss this wonderful outpouring of the heart of our apostle toward the saints whom he so loved-which means all the real Church of God!                 - Newell

I Commend Phoebe

Vs. 1 - I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant

Vs. 2 - you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require

The person who took this letter to Rome was Phoebe, a woman well respected for her work in the church in Cenchreae, one of the seaports of Corinth. She had been a tireless helper of Paul and many others, and Paul asks the Roman Christians to welcome her.             - Don Fleming

Give My Greetings

It may seem unusual that Paul knew so many people by name in the church in Rome since he had never visited it. However, travel in the Roman Empire was fairly easy during Paul’s lifetime. Probably he had met some of these people elsewhere and knew others of them by reputation.

Most of the names are Latin or Greek, but some of these people were evidently Jews who, like Paul, also had Greek or Latin names. In his epistles, Paul greeted more individuals by name in the churches he had not visited than in those that he had. He may have wanted to establish more personal contact with congregations that had not seen his face.                   - Thomas Constable

Vs. 3 - Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers

Vs. 5 - my dear friend Epaenetus

Vs. 8 - Ampliatus, my dear friend

Vs. 9 - Urbanus, our coworker

Vs. 12 - my dear friend Persis

Vs. 13 - his mother—and mine.

Diversity

Greear notes that we can see in Paul’s greetings how the good news of salvation for all men was already working in the church to blur the distinctions of class, race, and gender that were so prominent in the rest of the culture. Paul affectionately addressed Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor in the Roman church.  This often overlooked section of his letter is a beautiful illustration of everything Paul has just taught about unity and love in this new diverse family of faith. 

Friendship

There’s something to be noted of Paul’s relational affection and connectedness in these greetings. Three times, he describes someone as a “dear friend.”  As far as we know, the apostle was not married, but he was also not alone.  His very personal greetings to those far away and from those by his side depict a relationally intentional life, one that exemplified following Jesus with friends. 

Love and connection to the body (other Christians) is the ultimate sign of Christian maturity.       - JD Greear

Anonymity 

Most of these people we’ll never hear from again, but they had a huge impact on the spread of the gospel. Historian Stephen Neill says that nothing is more remarkable about the spread of the gospel in the first century than its anonymity.                   - JD Greear

Affection

Vs. 16 - Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Commentators note that a kiss on the cheek was a common form of greeting in this culture and that it expressed peace, unity, and affection, all of which Paul had greatly emphasized in his letter.  Both Paul and Peter encouraged this practice, but it eventually fell into obscurity for later generations of believers.

Now I Urge You

Truth and Unity

Vs. 17 - Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.

Paul warned believers at Rome to be alert and avoid false teachers. Illustrating the familiar both/and relation between Divine sovereignty and human responsibility to choose, we must be diligent in the battle against darkness, but ultimate victory is assured (note verse 20).                - Edwin A. Blum

Hope

Vs. 20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

Paul meant that the Roman Christians would frustrate Satan’s work among them soon as they rejected false teachers. His terminology suggests that he had Genesis 3:15 in mind.           - Thomas Constable

The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Be With You

Vs. 20 - The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

The apostle concluded his letter with a familiar salutation.  His prayer was that the Roman Christians would continue to experience the inexhaustible favor of God. 

Vs. 25-27 - Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ…be the glory forever. Amen.

The letter to the Romans comes to an end with a doxology which is also a summary of the gospel which Paul preached and loved.                 - William Barclay

Paul finishes his letter with a further note of praise to God, who through the old order prepared the way for the new life that the Christian gospel has now made possible. It is a life that people of all nations can have through faith and obedience.                  - Don Fleming