Romans 16 - Paul's Farewells

Romans 16:1-16; 21-24 – Greetings From Paul and Friends

Paul along with other believers from Rome and Corinth send greetings to the church in Rome.  There are 33 names mentioned in all, but I will mention only a few.  Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives for him; Epenetus who was first to convert to Christ; Mary, Typhena, Tryphosa, Typehena, Tryphosa Persis who worked hard; Rusus who was like a mother to him; Timothy who was a fellow worker; Andronicus and Junias who are his relatives and also who had been in prison with him; Herodion, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater who are his relatives; Tertius who wrote down this letter for Paul; Gaius who had provided hospitality to Paul while he was in Corinth.  (Rom. 16:1-16, 21-24)

There are other places in the Bible where there are lists of genealogies and names.  They are there for a reason.  These who Paul greeted can motivate and encourage us to be all God wants us to be.  It shows us the church is made up of ordinary people who know the Lord Jesus.  Some were Jews, some Gentiles, some were men, some women, some were slaves, some rich and some poor.  They all were obedient and growing in their faith.  They served Him.  They loved one another.  All these people were united in Christ Jesus.

Why is Paul including so many verses of greetings in his writings?  God had a purpose as He does with everything and the Holy Spirit inspired him to write these greetings.  We have to remember all the Bible is God inspired.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

Paul seemed to have a relationship with each of them.  He is a good example for us to take interest in fellow Christians and have a relationship with them.  Paul mentions Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives for him and for the church.  There were those who held church services in their homes.  He greeted those who worked hard for the Lord.  All these people were ordinary people growing in the Lord through sound doctrine that Paul teaches throughout the book of Romans.

Principle:  The church is made up of ordinary people who love and appreciate each other and share the same goal of glorifying God.

None of these people were famous or powerful in the eyes of the world.  Like most of us they would never be recognized by the world, but God knows their names as He does yours.  We are important to Him enough that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sins.

How do you think Paul would have described you?

How would you liked to be described?

Romans 16:17-20 – Paul’s Final Warning

Paul told them to watch out for those who cause division and put obstacles in their way that are against his teachings.  These people are not serving the Lord, but their own appetites.  They have smooth talk and use flattery to deceive.  He said everyone has heard about the obedience of the Christians in Rome and he wanted them to be wise about what is good and evil.  Paul reminded them that God will soon crush Satan.  (Rom. 16:17-20)

Paul’s words are totally in line with our culture.  Our churches are putting aside true doctrine.  There are false teachers who deceive others for their own gain.  There are those who live to stir up trouble.  They gossip and are always complaining about something.  We all know people like that.  Believers are to stand firm, be on guard, and keep away from those kinds of people and away from false teachings.  If we know God’s Word, we will be able to recognize these people quickly. 

How can we recognize false teachers?  They promote the way to salvation is through works and not Jesus’ work on the cross as do cults.  False teachers are usually nice and likeable.  They flatter you and tell you what you want to hear.  They don’t talk about sin or the judgment that is coming.  They preach only positive messages of God’s love and acceptance.  They tell stories that tug at your heart and prey on your feelings.  There are many cults today.  Some examples are Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.  They talk about believing in Jesus, but their Jesus is not in the Jesus of the Bible.  Remember they always have a little truth in their teaching.  That’s what gets followers.  False teachers preach salvation is by grace plus works.  Paul preached that salvation is by grace through faith alone.

Those involved in cults do a better job training their people that Christians do.  When these people come and knock on your door, be careful.  They can take you to any verse that supports their beliefs.  So if you choose to entertain them in a discussion, be ready to discuss your beliefs.  If you aren’t knowledgeable of the Bible, they can confuse you and draw you in.  I usually don’t open the door or I just say that I’m a Christian and thank them and tell them to have a good day and then close the door.  Then after they’ve left, I pray for them.

So to be wise about false teachers, you need to focus on the Scriptures.  By knowing the truth you will be equipped to stand up to any false teaching.

Paul said “the God of peace will soon crush Satan”.  Satan was defeated at the cross, but until Christ returns the battle continues.  Satan continues to deceive and devour everyone he can.  He is especially out to get Christians.  That’s his job and he will never give up.  He’s even working harder now, because he knows his time is almost up.  He knows God will win in the end.  So put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20), stay in His Word and in prayer, and run from temptation.  Then you can resist Satan’s evil schemes.  His final defeat will be the Christ throws him into the Lake of Fire.                                                                                                                             

Principle:  Believers are to be on guard against false teachers.

Romans 16:25-27 – Paul’s Benediction

How do you end a letter like Romans which has been called the greatest letter ever written and one of the greatest books of the Bible? 

As usual Paul ends his letters with a benediction.  “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to 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 nations might believe and obey him – to the only wise God by glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” – Rom. 16:25-27.

He praised God who has provided the glorious gospel.  He wrote so all nations might believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  God has the power to make a Christian’s faith firm.  He protects believers from wrong beliefs.  The good news of Jesus comes to everyone.  For centuries people didn’t know God’s plan.  It was a secret, but now it’s public.  God has always planned to come for not only the Jews but the Gentiles.  God rescues all people who believe through His Son, Jesus.  The Old Testament prophesied of His coming.  Christians must show their faith is real by obeying God and by their love for everyone.

Principle: The power of the gospel transforms believers and gives eternal hope.

It’s not about us.  It’s not about being happy.  It’s about God’s glory.  This message to the Romans and to all of us reveals the wisdom of God.  The goal of the gospel is that we would glorify God through all things, the good times and the bad times.  We are to live obedient lives of faith and proclaim Him to all people.

What truth in Romans has most impacted your life?

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS

The book of Romans is a letter written by Paul to the Christian church in Rome.  The book gives answers to questions like:  What is the gospel?  Who needs it?  Why is it needed?  What is salvation?  How is it achieved?  What difference does it make in a person’s life?  What difference does it make to society?  Why should you live in obedience?  How can you live obedient to God?  The theme of Romans is righteousness.  Paul taught that one can only receive the Righteousness of God by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1-8 is full of doctrine.  It explains the fundamentals and foundations of the Christian faith – the gospel.  Paul teaches about the sinful nature of man, justification by faith in Jesus, freedom from sin, and victory in Christ.  He teaches that man is justified by faith in Christ alone and not by the works of the law. 

Romans 9-11 Paul explains God’s sovereignty and how an individual may come into the right relationship with God.  He reveals that the Jews failed to recognize Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and rejected their own Messiah.  God therefore rejected them, but that this rejection is not final.  God will show mercy of those Jews who acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Romans 12-16 Paul gives instructions to the Christians in Rome and for all believers about how to live holy lives because of their new life in Christ.  Paul was called by God to bring Christianity to the Gentile world.

Before Paul met Christ, he glorified himself.  He was proud, stubborn, and a self-righteous murderer who God turned into the greatest missionary the world has ever seen.  This shows that God can use anyone for His service. 

Paul was a wonderful example of how we all can live.  Paul was always content and always sought the will of God and not his own desires.  He was an encourager to fellow Christians and a prayer warrior.  He taught the doctrine of justification by faith.  He taught salvation is needed by everyone, Jew and Gentile.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” –Rom. 3:23.  If all have sinned then how can you be saved?  “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Rom. 10:9.

This concludes the study of Romans.  I hope you have learned many life lessons through this study and will apply them in your life.  Join me next time for more studies.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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