1. 1 Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 20 IX. God’s Righteousness: ENHANCING RELATIONSHIPS Romans 15:14 - 16:27 Today’s Lesson: 16:1-27

2. 2 In today’s lesson... 1.Having completed the instructional parts of his letter, Paul is now ready to bring it to a close. 2.The church there was composed of numerous persons known to the apostle either personally or by reputation.

3. 3 In today’s lesson... 3.He thinks it fitting to mention each one by name and to say something that will: a.Commend them all to their brethren in Rome, and b.Encourage them in their future work in the church there. 4.He names twenty five of these saints individually and an indeterminate number of others in groups.

4. 4 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 1.Commendation of Phoebe, a servant of the church (1,2) a.Phoebe was a member of the church in Cenchrea, a seaport city about six mile east of Corinth (1) b.Paul commended her to the Romans, probably because they did not know her (1) c.She was a servant (helper) of the church there and a servant of Paul’s (1,2) d.They were to help her in whatever way she needed e.Since they were to “receive her in the Lord”, she may have carried Paul’s letter to Corinth (2)

5. 5 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 2.Greetings and commendation of other church members (3-16) a.Aquila and Priscilla (3-5) 1)They were close friends of Paul who worked in the same trade of tentmaking (Acts 18:3) and were fellow workers with Paul in Christ Jesus (3) 2)They “risked their own necks” for Paul’s safety in some incident we know nothing more about (v4) 3)A church met “in their house” while they lived in Ephesus (1 Cor.16:19), and also hosted another church in Rome (5)

6. 6 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 2.Greetings and commendation of other church members (3-16) a.Aquila and Priscilla (3-5)(continued) 4)They were banished from Rome by the emperor along with other Jews (Acts 18:1,2) 5)They went with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18,19) 6)They returned to Rome and were there when Paul’s letter to the Romans was written 7)They taught Appolos “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26)

7. 7 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 2.Greetings and commendation of other church members (3-16) b.Numerous others (6-16) 1)The first is Epaenetus, who had been one of the first converts of Paul or some other preacher in “Achaia” [some versions say “Asia”]. 2)Mary was a woman who had “labored much” for “us” [either for Paul and his companions or for the church in Corinth as a whole]

8. 8 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 b.Numerous others (6-16)(continued) 3)Andronicus and Junia [or Junius] are supposed by some to have been a married couple, but they were more likely two men of whom it was said: (1) They were Paul’s “kinsmen” [either by blood or nationality]; (2) They had somewhere been his “fellow prisoners” during one of the apostle’s numerous imprisonments for the Lord; (3) They were “of note” among the apostles. Perhaps they were among the converts on Pentecost and had become well acquainted with their inspired teachers; (4) They had become Christians prior to Paul’s conversion; they were “in Christ” before him.

9. 9 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 b.Numerous others (6-16)(continued) 4)Amplias was a disciple with whom Paul seems to have formed a special personal bond. 5)Urbanus was helper to many disciples [“our”] and Styachys [a rare Greek name] may have had some connection with the imperial household. He was another close [“beloved”] friend of Paul. 6)Apelles was “approved” [a “tried and true Christian,” Arndt & Gingrich, p.202]. The apostle also greeted members of the household of Aristobulus.

10. 10 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 b.Numerous others (6-16)(continued) 7)Another “kinsman,” natural or national, was Herodion, whose name some maintain was usually given to slaves. Some of Narcissus’ “household” were Christians, but we are told nothing more about this disciple. 8)Tryphena and Tryphosa were either twin sisters or just two Christian women whose names happened to be similar. They are said to have “worked” for the Lord, while Persis had “worked hard” for Jesus.

11. 11 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 b.Numerous others (6-16)(continued) 9)Many commentators believe that Rufus was the same man whose father carried Christ’s cross (Mark 15:21). But his was a common name and cannot definitely be associated with the Simon of Cyrene. Rufus’ mother had at some time been a “mother” to Paul by showing care and kindness toward him. We are not told of the circumstances. 10)Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobus, Hermes, and some other brethren are the objects of Paul’s salute, but he fails to reveal any details about the reason for his greeting.

12. 12 B. Relationships of Church Members Among Themselves Romans 16:1-16 b.Numerous others (6-16)(continued) 11)Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister [name not given], Olympas and “all the saints with them” possibly were members of another church meeting in someone’s house. c.“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (16) d.“The churches of Christ greet you.” (16)

13. 13 C. Relationships of the Faithful to Troublemakers Romans 17-20 1.Marking and turning away from them (17,18) a.Paul warns against false teachers who cause: 1)Divisions (dissensions) 2)Offences (stumbling blocks) b.Their characteristics: 1)They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ 2)They serve their own belly 3)They use smooth word and flattering speech 4)They deceive the hearts of the simple c.The Romans, and us today, must keep an eye on them and avoid them

14. 14 C. Relationships of the Faithful to Troublemakers Romans 17-20 2.Warning about unfaithfulness and false teaching (19) a.Paul was glad that their obedience was known to all b.They must remain: 1)Wise [“skilled, expert,”] to good teaching, and 2)Simple [“pure, innocent (lit. ‘unmixed’),”] toward the “divisions and offenses” that some were participating in.

15. 15 C. Relationships of the Faithful to Troublemakers Romans 17-20 3.Assistance for those who resist Satan (20) a.Faithfulness to the truth would be rewarded with victory over Satan and his agents b.God of peace and grace [qualities that He wants to permeate His church] would “crush” the devil

16. 16 D. Relationships Among Churches Romans 21-23 1.Greetings from notable members at Corinth (21-23) a.Timothy, of course, was one of his closest friends and co-workers. He was Paul’s “son in the faith,” and was given many important responsibilities by the apostle. He received two of Paul’s letters that encouraged him to be faithful to his duties. b.Three others, not so familiar to us as Timothy, join with Paul in saluting their Roman brethren. They, like some at Rome, were “kinsmen” of Paul (verses 7,11).

17. 17 D. Relationships Among Churches Romans 21-23 1.Greetings from notable members at Corinth (21-23)(continued) c.Tertius was Paul’s secretary who actually penned this letter. Some believe that Paul was so afflicted with faulty eyesight that it became necessary for him to employ the help of others to write his letters to churches and individuals. He sometimes signed his epistles to validate their authenticity [e.g., 1Cor.16:21]. Tertius was probably a Christian, since he greeted the Romans “in the Lord.”

18. 18 D. Relationships Among Churches Romans 21-23 1.Greetings from notable members at Corinth (21-23)(continued) d.Gaius was Paul’s host while he resided at Corinth. He also “hosted” the “whole church” [probably providing their meeting place]. He likely was a rather affluent individual.

19. 19 E. Benediction Romans 24-27 1.Establishment of faith through the gospel (24-26) a.The mystery (a thing not known) was kept secret since the beginning (25) b.The mystery is now manifested (revealed) through the gospel (26) 1)It was all done “for obedience to the faith”

20. 20 E. Benediction Romans 24-27 2.To God is the glory through Jesus Christ (27) a.God who gave us this gospel and is able to establish us is worthy of glory