ROMANS 16: 1-16
GREETINGS AND LOVE EXPRESSED
The capital city of Rome was a magnet that drew people from all over the empire. In addition Paul’s travels to many of the major population centers—Jerusalem, Syrian Antioch, Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus—brought him into contact with the Christians in Rome who traveled. These factors help explain the presence of Paul’s many friends in Rome, but his knowledge of their whereabouts remains a tribute to his deep concern for people. It is enviously clear that he was careful to remember names and details of the people with whom he ministered. [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983, p. 499]
Paul was not only a soul-winner and a church planter, but he was also a friend-maker and ministry supporter. The apostle’s comments about these mostly unknown individuals are all the more poignant because this great apostle takes time to speak so warmly and appreciatively of these "ordinary" Christians, who were as much his brothers and sisters in Christ as Peter, James, John, and other New Testament notables. He here reveals his deep affection for those whom he had served, for those who had served him, and for those who served with him. [MacArthur, John. NT Com. Romans 9-16. 1994. Moody: Chicago. p. 358.]
So in chapter 16 Paul focuses on his relationship to other Christians with whom he has been associated in one way or another in his ministry. The chapter contains a list of thirty-three people to whom Paul is sending his greetings. The first list in verses 1–16 is comprised of those who Paul is greeting. [The second list (verses 21–23) is comprised of those who are with Paul in Corinth.] He specifically identifies, and sometimes briefly comments about, those to whom he felt the closest. He reveals his love for the community of the redeemed, his mutual accountability with them before God, and his dependence on them for his own ministry and for his own well-being. [MacArthur, p 359].
I. SISTER PHEOBE, 16:1-2.
II. PRISCA AND AQUILA, 3-5.
III. FRIENDS IN ROME, 6-16
Ministries and churches don’t go far without faithful workers. Paul devotes the first two verses to the commendation of a particular individual, Phoebe. Verse 1, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;"
Phoebe was Paul’s emissary to deliver this letter, so he wrote officially, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe." "Phebe" (which means "bright, radiant") is another name for "Diana." [Evidently, Phebe was named after the goddess Diana, Corinth’s most famous deity. If that be so, Phebe was not Jewish but was most likely a heathen Gentile who had been converted to Christ.]
Paul’s sister in Christ Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchrea, a seaport a few miles east of Corinth (Acts 18:18) where Paul had stopped during his third missionary journey. The word translated "servant" is literally diakonos, or "deaconess" is used for the office of deacon (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 10, 12) as well as used generally (Rom. 15:8; 1 Cor. 3:5). Use of the word with the phrase "of the church" strongly suggests some recognized position, a fact appropriate for a person serving as Paul’s emissary. [Walvoord, & Zuck, p. P. 449]. [In NT times it could indicate a woman in a position of ministry in the early church. According to the writings of the church fathers, deaconesses visited the sick, helped young women grow in the Lord, and tended the poor. How we need those who have a heart to be servants like Phebe—those who say, "Our call is to tend those who are sick, poor, and young in the Lord." [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 997]
Paul commend this woman not only for what she had done as a faithful sister and servant of Christ but also for what she was doing and would in service to their Lord as we see in verse 2. "that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."
The journey from Corinth to Rome would not be easy, and would involve considerable sea as well as land travel. Travel in those days was often hazardous, and the few inns that existed usually were connected with the worst sort of taverns, many of which were also brothels. The only safe places to stay were with a friend or a friend of a friend. Consequently, letters of commendation were routinely given to travelers by friends who had relatives or friends along the way who could provide food, lodging, and sometimes escort through dangerous areas. Such help was especially important for ladies.
When this special lady arrived in Rome and presented believers there with Paul’s letter, they must have realized his great trust in her even before they read this personal commendation. Yet Paul not only officially commended her (2 Cor. 3:1), but also asked the Roman Christians to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints. Christians are to receive, to love, to minister to each other in a way that is distinct from the world around us and that it cannot comprehend. We are to embrace, serve, and care for all those who genuinely name the name of Christ (Mt. 18:5–10).
The Romans were also asked "to give her any help" [lit., "and to stand by her in whatsoever matter"] "she may need from you." The Romans are to assist her whatever business matter she may have had in Rome.
The reason they should help her is because "she has been a great help to many people, including" Paul. They should help her since she had helped others. Help [prostatis, "a protectress, patroness, succorer or strengthener,"] was used of what a mother does as she tenderly nourishes her baby through breastfeeding or a supporter or benefactor of someone or something [like the arts].
She is described as "sister," "servant," "saint," and "helper" credentials of the highest order. She deserved their greatest appreciation and respect.
When a special delivery letter is handed to us at the door, it usually means we are receiving something very important. Phoebe hand-delivered a letter of immeasurable value to the church in Rome-Paul’s inspired doctrinal masterpiece. It points out how a lost and sinful humanity can find redemption through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Because of her kindness to him in helping to get the Word of God out Paul commend and complemented her. All of us are "spiritual mail carriers." We have the good news that Paul wrote about so many centuries ago. And like Phoebe, we should assist in delivering it by word and deed to people around us who need its life-giving message. For we serve God by sharing His Word with others.
II. PRISCA AND AQUILA, 3-5.
In verse 3 we find Prisca and Aquila, the first to be greeted. "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,"
Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila when he arrived in Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:2) and worked with them at their trade of tentmaking. They had come to Corinth from Rome because of Claudius’ decree that all Jews must leave Rome. They accompanied Paul when he left Corinth (Acts 18:18), but stayed in Ephesus when the party stopped briefly (Acts 18:19). There they ministered to Apollos (Acts 18:26) and undoubtedly to Paul during his stay in Ephesus on his third journey, because they sent greetings to the Corinthian Christians (1 Cor. 16:19). Shortly after that, they must have moved back to Rome and still later returned to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19).
The fact that Priscilla almost always precedes her husband in the Scriptures most likely is attributable to her being the bolder and more gifted person in the joint ministry they exercised.
The apostle’s beloved co-workers, are described graphically in verse 4. "who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
Priscilla and Aquila had braved innumerable dangers with Paul. So Paul paid them great praise, calling them my fellow workers in Christ Jesus and revealing that they risked their lives for me [(lit., "they lay down their own neck for my soul"]. In what way they risked their lives is not known.
All the Gentile churches, Paul added, were grateful to them.
New York city police officer Moira Smith hurried to the holocaust-type scene on September 11, 2001, when terrorists crashed an airliner into the World Trade Center. Witnesses say she was last seen helping someone down a stairway. Her police dispatcher heard her calm voice on her handheld radio reporting her efforts. Her name tag and badge were recovered near her remains at ground zero much later. She was the only NYPD policewoman killed in the WTC attack.
Facing opposition from unfriendly Jews and a hostile Roman government, Paul’s life was in danger many times as he traveled and preached about Christ He wrote that his friends Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives to save him. Like police officer Moira Smith, who gave her life for others, they risked their lives that Paul might live and the gospel might be proclaimed.
Father, help me to have the courage to respond if I should need to risk my lite to save someone else.
In verse 5 Paul sends greetings to the church that met at their house. "also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
The Christians in Rome apparently worshiped in numerous homes such as Priscilla and Aquila’s. This couple had had a house church in Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:19) and probably wherever they lived. Other churches in homes are mentioned in Colossians 4:15 and Philemon 2.
You see a pattern begin to unfold in the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. That is, wherever they went, they started a fellowship group in their house. I like that. They not only worked together by day making tents, but they also opened their home at night.
I hope that’s true of you and me. I hope the church is meeting in our homes. How? Jesus said, "Wherever two or three are gathered together, I am in their midst" (Mt. 18:20). Therefore, if you want your families altered, develop what the previous generation called "family altar"—times when your family gets together for a season of worship, prayer, and Bible study. [Courson, S. 998]
Epenetus, to whom greetings were sent, is mentioned only here, but is called by Paul my dear friend [lit., "the one loved by me"] or beloved as a few others are call also [i.e., Stachys, v. 9). He was the first convert (lit., "the firstfruits") to Christ in the province of Asia. [Paul reached Asia, the western portion of modern-day Turkey, on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:10), after having been prevented from going there on his second journey (Acts 16:6).] [Walvoord, & Zuck, p. P. 449].
Folks rarely forget the name of the first person they lead to the Lord because nothing is more exciting than praying with someone, talking to someone, having the opportunity to see someone you care about come to know Jesus. Nothing.
III. FRIENDS IN ROME, 6-16.
Again, ministries and churches don’t go far without faithful workers. Paul continues his outpouring of love and affection for a host of beloved of beloved believers and fellow workers. Doubtless he could have included many more, but the ones he chose to acknowledge here were especially close and dear.
This list of greetings (3-16) that Paul wanted conveyed to friends in Rome is the longest in any of his epistles. He mentioned 26 people by name, and referred to many others (vv. 5, 10-11, 13-15). Several women are included in the list: Priscilla ( 3), Mary (v. 6), Tryphena and Tryphosa (v. 12), Persis (v. 12), Rufus’ mother (v. 13), and Nereus’ sister (v. 15). Two others are possibly women—Junias (v. 7) and Julia (v. 15).
The greetings continue in verse 6. "Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you."
Mary is identified simply as one who worked very hard ("toiled much"). Numerous people are commended for their "labor" [i.e. v. 12]. The word "labor" is interesting. The same word is used in Luke 5:5 in reference to the fishermen who toiled all night. It embodies the idea of sweating. Thus, Mary bestowed much "sweat" upon them, if you would. That is, she gave of herself in a laboring type of ministry. [Courson, S. 998]
Instead of Mary some Greek manuscripts read Mariam, the Hebrew form, which probably identifies this woman as a Jew. It is clear that some of the believers are of Jewish origin, that some of them knew Christ before Paul, that some were slaves and others came from the household of Herod, that some had shared prison cells with Paul and others had cared for him and even " him. But all were remembered and all were appreciated.
Verse 7, "Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
Andronicus and Junias, greeted together, may have been husband and wife. [Junias can be either masculine or feminine.] Paul called them my relatives, which probably refers to a spiritual, tribal, not a family kinship (9:3). He also mentioned four other "relatives" (16:11, 21). He said Andronicus and Junias had been in prison with him ("my fellow prisoners"). When or where this occurred is not mentioned (2 Cor. 11:23). Paul commended them as outstanding (epismoi, lit., "having a mark [sema] on them," therefore "illustrious, notable, outstanding") among the apostles.
There are various categories of apostles. The word "apostles" is probably used here in the broader, general sense in which Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Timothy and others were called apostles in Scripture (Acts 13:2; Acts 14:14; 1 Thes. 2:7). Or it could mean the apostles in the limited sense, referring to the Twelve, minus Judas, plus Paul. Paul added, They were (perf. tense, "they came to be and still are") in Christ before I was. So they had been believers for about 25 years.
[The Father sent out one Apostle: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1). The Spirit sent out many apostles. Therefore "the apostolic ministry continues today in those who are sent out by the Spirit, those who feel called in their hearts to go forth. Missionaries could be more accurately called apostles. The problem with the term "apostle" arises only from a misunderstanding of the word." [Couson, S. 999]
Verse 8, "Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord."
Ampliatus was one Paul loved in the Lord. This was high praise from the apostle.
Verse 9, "Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved."
Urbanus was called our fellow worker in Christ. The apostle repeatedly uses the expression "in the Lord" or "in Christ" to identify the bond that holds them together. Stachys was addressed as beloved [lit., "the one loved by me"].
Verse 10, "Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus."
Paul said Apelles was tested and approved [ton dokimon, "the one approved through testing"]. How can we be approved in Christ? You’re doing it! By studying the Scriptures, you are showing yourself as being approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15). [Couson, S. 999]
Without naming other individuals Paul sent greetings to those who belong to the household of Aristobulus, perhaps a grandson of Herod the Great. A household may have included family members and servants. [The Gk. simply has "those out of, belonging to Aristobulus"; Rom. 16:11.]
Historians tell us Aristobulus was the grandson of Herod the Great—the one who tried to annihilate Jesus by slaughtering all Jewish males under two years of age. Herod was the one who killed his sons and murdered his wife, butchering anyone who was a threat to his power. Yet here was his grandson, numbered among the household of faith. [Couson, S. 999]
Verse 11, "Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord." Herodion was greeted as my relative, but once again the relationship was probably spiritual or tribal and not familial [vv. 7, 21]. The name may identify this person as belonging to Herod’s family. Once again without naming individuals Paul sent greetings to those in the household of Narcissus (lit., "those out of, belonging to Narcissus"; v. 10). But Paul restricted his greetings to the ones who are in the Lord, which probably indicated Narcissus’ family was divided spiritually.
Verse 12, "Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord."
Tryphena and Tryphosa most likely are sister, possibly twins, since their names mean "dainty and delicate," but they were described as those who "labor," with Paul. He purposely choose the word that suggests labor to the point of exhaustion. Of such stuff was the church of Rome made! [Barclay, The Letter to the Romans, p. 234.]
Then Persis, addressed as my dear friend (lit., "the one loved"), was another woman who has worked very hard ("toiled much") in the Lord. Interestingly four women were said to have "worked hard" (i.e., Mary, v. 6). Where would the church be without hard working women?
Verse 13, "Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine."
Whether Rufus is the same person mentioned in Mark 15:21 or not is uncertain. If so, then he, as a son of Simon of Cyrene, was a North African. He came to Jerusalem to celebrate and observe the Passover proceedings. When he lined up along the Via Dolorosa, the crowd gathered on that Good Friday, he watched the proceedings, no doubt straining his neck and squinting his eyes, trying to get a perspective of what was happening. Suddenly, a Man collapsed before him under the weight of a cross. Instead of forcing Him to carry the burden any further, a soldier on the scene placed the flat head of his spear upon the shoulder of Simon the Cyrene, saying, "You take the Cross."
Simon must have thought, Oh no. What a catastrophe. I came to celebrate the Passover, and now I’m going to be defiled by associating with this criminal. But he discovered that the catastrophe was, in fact, a great opportunity because something happened to Simon when he took up the Cross. Because he carry the Cross he eventually became converted to the One whose Cross he carried. And not only did Simon get saved, but, as can be inferred from this verse, his wife and his sons did as well. [I don’t know what Cross you are bearing, but God will use it to blessing you in Christ if you will let Him.] [Couson, S. 999]
Paul said Rufus was chosen in the Lord, a statement true of every believer (Eph. 1:4). Consequently the word translated "chosen" may mean "eminent," since it was given to Rufus as a statement of distinction. The greeting included Rufus’ mother who, Paul said, had also been a mother to him.
Why would he refer to her in this way? Paul obviously did not say she was his actual mother, but he had been the recipient of her motherly care. During his years of ministry, Paul faced many hardships (2 Cor. 6:4-10). Could it be that Rufus had brought a weary and tired apostle to his house, where Paul received from the mother of Rufus comforting words, a fresh garment, and a nourishing meal? Did Paul receive from her the empathy and tenderness that only a mother can give? We don’t know this for sure, but it could explain his unusual greeting here.
Five names mentioned together in verse 14, "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them."
They evidently had something in common, perhaps as leaders of another house church. This may be indicated by the reference to the brothers with them. They are all common names, particularly among slaves.
Verse 15, "Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them."
Julia may have been the wife of Philologus. What a great name! It comes from "Philos Logos" or "Lover of the Word." Two other husband-wife teams were Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3) and (possibly) Andronicus and Junias (v. 7).
Nereus and his sister were then greeted, though the sister’s name is not given. And finally, greetings were sent to Olympas and all the saints with him. This group may have been the leaders of another house church (v. 14). [Walvoord, & Zuck, p. P. 449].
Of all these individuals only Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament for certain; yet Paul knew them all individually and sent personal greetings to them and their associates. Paul cannot properly be charged with not being "a people person."
Verse 16 closes out the list of people he greeted in Rome. "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."
This section closes with the command, "Greet one another with a holy kiss." The practice of embracing and kissing friends on the forehead or cheek was common in Old Testament times.
Then a general word of salutation, All the churches of Christ send greetings (lit., "greet you").
God never intended churches to be cold. Years ago, a prominent pastor was asked to preach in a downtown First Baptist Church. It was one of those cold churches where the only movement they had experienced in years was the growth of the ivy on the walls. No one spoke to him before the service. When he preached, the people sat and stared icily. After the service everyone rushed to their cars. No one stayed for fellowship. It was as if they had paid their dues, done their time, and now were ready to hurry away.
After the service the pastor took him out to eat at a restaurant across the street. They were met by a friendly hostess who seemed delighted that they had come her way. She seated them at a table served by a warmhearted waitress, who took personal interest in them as she served them. This pastor remarked that if both places, the church and the restaurant, had given invitations that day, he would have joined the restaurant!
It is never God’s will for a church to become cold. Jesus made clear that the mark of being a Christian was how we love one another (John 13:35). Along with the commands for Christians to be loving toward those both inside and outside the faith, we have specific commands for Christians to express their love at church.
Both Paul and Peter closed many of their letters with the command to "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14). A holy kiss, the mode of salutation is similar to a warm handshake or perhaps a discreet hug today. The principle remains the same. God wants people to be surrounded with expressed love when they come to church.
IN CLOSING
James Deitz has produced paintings of airplanes and their crews that are so realistic they look like photographs. His works hang in many aviation galleries in the United States, including the Smithsonian Institution.
One of the paintings by Deitz, titled UNSUNG, depicts a view of four mechanics who are working on a dive bomber. They are far below the flight deck of an aircraft carrier somewhere in the Pacific during World War II. The pale, serious-looking, grease-stained men are working tirelessly to get the plane ready to go back into battle.
We too may be performing unnoticed tasks as we support the church’s mandate to spread the Gospel and train believers. Without many volunteers, no church or mission agency could do its ministry effectively.
As the apostle Paul closed his letter to the believers in Rome, he listed several people who receive no other mention in Scripture. But they were essential to the life and work of the early church.
Are you working "below the flight deck?" Remember your service to Christ is essential. Even if no one shows appreciation for your hard work, you can be sure the Lord will reward you (Colossians 3:23-24). No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.
Winston Churchill also knew that people who work BEHIND THE SCENES don’t always get the credit they deserve. During World War II, many of England’s coal miners wanted to enlist and fight on the front lines. Churchill acknowledged their patriotism but reminded them of how valuable their work was to the cause of the war. "Some must stay in the pits," he said, "and others must stay in the army. Both are equally needed, and for both there is equal credit.
Looking ahead to when children would ask their parents what they did in the war, Churchill said, they will say, ’I was a fighter pilot;" another will say, ’I was in the submarine service;’ . . . and you in your turn will say with equal pride and with equal right, ’We cut the coal.’ "
Paul too recognized the vital importance of those who worked behind the scenes. So he honored in Romans 16 his fellow workers in the faith. Their service was valuable to Paul and to the and to the cause of reaching other for Christ. Your labor for the Lord may be unseen and unheralded, but it is essential. Continue to "cut the coal." You are valuable to the Lord.
