The Farewell in ROMANS 16

By Michael Griego on January 17, 2025 • ( 1 )

Beyond the warm greeting and goodbyes, the final chapter of ROMANS ends with a bang. It’s only seen that way if you understand the full weight of Paul’s message about Jesus. ◊

As this profound BOOK of ROMANS comes to a close in Chapter 16, we are reminded that this is actually a personal letter dictated by the Apostle Paul and written down by his scribe, Tertius.

While a monumental treatise that outlines the Christian faith within 25 years of the death and resurrection of Christ, it reminds us of the real people that were behind the explosive growth and development of Christianity in the areas from Jerusalem through Greece and Asia Minor and over to Rome itself.

By the time one absorbs the content of Chapters 1-15 and wades through the personal commendations of real lives and people in Chapter 16, any skeptics of the Bible’s authenticity have got to be questioning how anyone who reads this text can possibly believe that people just made it all up.

Commendations and Greetings
Paul first highlights a woman named Phoebe, a helper or deacon to the male elders and overseers of the early church. Yes, by the way, women can and do support leaders of the church, but not as elders and head pastors. It’s not a sexist thing; it’s a hierarchical God/Biblical thing as was the creation of man and the God ordained establishment of marriage between a man and a woman with the man as head of the household.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. (v1-2)

Then Paul lifts up Priscilla and Aquila, the ones who helped him in Corinth just 7 years earlier and held church gatherings in their home.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. (Romans 16:3-5a)

Now think of this one man, Epenetus, the very first Christian convert in all of Asia!

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. (Romans 16:5b)

And then a warm reach out to various individuals who were friends and co-workers in the faith.

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. (Romans 16:6-16)

Fair Warning
Paul then urges the Christians to watch for divisive teaching and be wise and obedient about what is good and evil, as God will be victorious over Satan.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:17-20)

Final Greetings and Profound Blessing
Then Paul closes with final send-off greetings from key people, including a sidebar by Paul’s scribe, Tertius, and a holy blessing.

Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. (Romans 16:21-24)

This closeout blessing is all about alignment with Paul’s teaching of the revelation of Jesus Christ, that mystery long hidden but now revealed through prophetic writings made known by the supernatural power of God for all the nations [Gentiles] so that they might come to the obedience of faith to the only wise God.

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)

Would Paul have seen you as a brother and sister in Christ?
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May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. – Romans 16:24