The Righteousness of God: Final Greetings and Warning

Paul closes with personal greetings to 26 individuals and several house churches in Rome. This is not mere formality but pastoral care. He knows names, commends service, and honors faithful workers.

But between the greetings comes a warning: Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way. False teachers must be avoided.

And the letter ends where it began: with the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Greet Phoebe

"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."

Phoebe likely carried this letter to Rome. Paul honors her service. She is called sister (believer), deacon (servant or formal office), and benefactor (patron, helper).

Receive her in the Lord means welcome her as a believer. Give her any help she may need. She deserves reciprocal care.

Paul honors Phoebe's faithful service.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila

"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."

Priscilla and Aquila: husband and wife, tentmakers, Paul's ministry partners. Co-workers emphasizes shared labor.

They risked their lives for Paul. When or how is unknown. All Gentile churches are grateful. Their influence was widespread.

Greet also the church that meets at their house. Believers met in homes. House churches were the norm.

Faithful service benefits the whole body.

Many greetings

"Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia."

Epenetus: first convert (firstfruits) in Asia. Firsts are significant; pioneers hold special honor.

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Mary: otherwise unknown. Worked hard describes sacrificial service. Many women served prominently in the early church.

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.

Paul values relationships deeply.

Personal, affectionate greetings

Paul greets Ampliatus (my dear friend in the Lord), Urbanus (our co-worker in Christ), Stachys (my dear friend), Apelles (whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test), and many others.

He greets households: those who belong to the household of Aristobulus, those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

He greets workers: Tryphena and Tryphosa (those women who work hard in the Lord), Persis (another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord).

He greets Rufus (chosen in the Lord) and his mother (who has been a mother to me, too).

Christian community creates family bonds beyond biology.

Greet one another with a holy kiss

"Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."

Holy kiss: a cultural greeting, sanctified by Christian use. It expressed love and unity.

All the churches send greetings through Paul. This connects Roman believers to the universal church.

Christian fellowship expresses love and unity.

Watch out for divisive people

"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."

A warning. Watch out for divisive people. Divisions and obstacles are contrary to apostolic teaching.

Keep away from them. False teachers must be avoided.

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.

Their master: not Christ but their own belly. Smooth talk and flattery deceive the naive. False teachers use rhetoric to mislead. Discernment is critical.

False teachers must be avoided.

Be wise about good, innocent about evil

"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 Romans' obedience is famous. But: be wise about good and innocent about evil.

Know good thoroughly; avoid evil completely. Wisdom discerns; innocence protects.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

God of peace (ironic: peace comes through crushing Satan). Crush echoes Genesis 3:15. Soon promises imminent victory. Under your feet: believers share in Satan's defeat.

Victory over evil is certain.

Timothy and others send greetings

"Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews."

Timothy: Paul's protege. Lucius, Jason, Sosipater: fellow Jews. These send greetings from Paul's location (likely Corinth).

I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. Tertius: Paul's scribe. He penned Romans as Paul dictated.

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.

Ministry is collaborative.

Doxology

"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."

The climax: to Him who is able to establish you. Able to establish means strengthen, confirm.

According to Paul's gospel: the message about Jesus Christ. Revelation of the mystery: once hidden, now revealed. Mystery: Gentile inclusion in God's people, salvation by faith.

Now revealed through prophetic writings by command of eternal God. Purpose: all Gentiles come to obedience of faith.

To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.

All glory belongs to God through Jesus Christ.

Final exhortation

Romans 16 closes with personal greetings and a solemn warning. Paul honors faithful servants: Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, and many others. He values relationships and commends sacrificial service.

But he also warns: Watch out for divisive people. False teachers use smooth talk to deceive. Keep away from them.

Be wise about good, innocent about evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

And the letter ends where it began: with the glory of God. To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ.

Romans is the gospel: God's righteousness revealed, sin exposed, justification by faith alone, sanctification by the Spirit, glorification certain, and all to the glory of God.

Closing prayer

Father, thank You for the faithful servants who labor in the gospel. Help us to honor and support them. Protect us from false teachers who cause divisions. Make us wise about good and innocent about evil. To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.