SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 16
SCRIPTURE; ROMANS 16
Bible Verses:
“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” (Romans 16:17-19)
“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.” (Romansa 16:25-27)
PERSONAL GREETINGS (vs. 1-27)
In closing, Paul sent his personal greetings to many ordinary people who helped made his ministry possible. Among them were:
- Priscilla and Aquilla – they risked their lives for Paul
- Epenetus – He was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
- Mary – she worked very heard for the believers
- Andronicus and Junias – they were his relatives who had been imprisoned with Paul
- Ampliatus – Whom Paul love in the Lord
- Urbanus and Stachys – His fellow worker and friend
- Apelles – He was tested and approved in Christ
- Household of Aristobulus – whom Paul sent greetings
- Herodion – Paul’s relative
- Household of Narcissu – Who are in the Lord
- Tryphena and Tryphosa – Women who worked hard in the Lord
- Persis – a friend and woman who worked very hard in the Lord
- Rufus and his mother – Chosen in the Lord
- Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermes and brothers with them
- Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them
PEOPLE YOU SHOULD AVOID:
- Those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way (v. 17a)
- Those who are contrary to your teachings (v. 17b)
- Those who have selfish motives (v. 18a)
- Those who deceives the minds of naive people by smooth talk and flattery (v. 18b)
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Watch out! (v. 17a)
- Keep away from them (v. 17b)
- Be wise about what is good (v. 19a)
- Be innocent about what is evil (v.19b)
Paul was the human author of the epistles of the Romans but Tertius wrote it down for him. Gaius showed hospitality by giving Paul a place to live and work and Phoebe carried the completed letter to Rome. He also mentioned the people who sent greetings to them. Timothy, his fellow worker; Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, his relatives; Erastus, the city’s director of public works and brother Quartus. Paul closed his letter by giving glory to the only wise God Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS:
- Phoebe was a deacon who supplied Paul’s ministry. She was the one who delivered the letter from Corinth to Rome. This shows us that women played an important roles in the early church.
- Priscilla and Aquila were couples who invited Paul to live with them. Let us show hospitality to God’s workers.
- Paul acknowledged people who had helped him in his missionary journey in different ways. May we learn to appreciate people who have helped us in whatever ways and acknowledge them to show our gratitude.
- Keep away from people who cause division, teach false teachings, and deceive minds with smooth talk and flattery.
In closing, Paul sent greetings to many ordinary people who helped made his ministry possible. Amo