DRAWING NEAR
Think back over the truths you studied in Romans. What is one new thing you’ve learned about God? About yourself?
THE CONTEXT
After completing the major doctrinal treatise of this letter, Paul now begins what amounts to an epilogue, which comprises comments about his ministry, his plans for future service, personal greetings from himself and others, and a closing benediction.
Because Paul had spoken so forcefully on so many issues to a church he did not found and had never visited, he wants to make sure he does not seem insensitive, presumptuous, or unloving. He commends them corporately for their involvement in the work of the gospel. He shares a bit of information about his own ministry and future plans. He reiterates his heart’s desire to minister in Rome and to fellowship with the church there.
We get a rare glimpse into Paul’s working relationships and close friendships. He mentions by name more than two dozen colleagues and coworkers. In this extended passage we sense the deep affection that Paul had for those with whom and to whom he ministered. We also get to see the sincere gratitude the apostle felt for those who had been such a help and encouragement to him in life and ministry. As the faces of redeemed and transformed Jews and Gentiles flashed through Paul’s mind, he closed his epistle with a hymn of praise: “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
KEYS TO THE TEXT
Deacon/Deaconess /Servant: From a word group meaning “to serve.” Originally referring to menial tasks such as waiting on tables (Acts 6:1–4), “deacon” came to denote any service in the church. Deacons serve under the leadership of elders, helping them exercise oversight in the practical matters of church life. Scripture defines no official or specific responsibilities for deacons; they are to do whatever the elders assign them or whatever spiritual ministry is necessary. Phoebe was named here as a “servant of the church.” In the early church, these women cared for sick believers, the poor, strangers, and those in prison. They also instructed the women and children.
Rome: The capital city of the Roman Empire. It is likely the church at Rome had been founded by a group of Jewish Christians who came there from Judea. It is possible that there had been Christians in Rome for many years, converts from among the “visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes” at Pentecost. The apostle Paul’s first known connection with Rome was when he met Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth (Acts 18:2). They had left Rome when Claudius expelled all the Jews from the city. Some few years after meeting Aquila and Priscilla, Paul decided that he “must also see Rome.” When he wrote this letter to the Christians at Rome, it was obvious how much he longed to meet them. His plan was to visit friends in the city on his way to Spain.
When he finally came to Rome, however, it was at the expense of the Roman government, due to his insistence that he be tried before Caesar concerning the charges brought against him by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (Acts 25:2, 11). His ministry in Rome was therefore as a prisoner, and it was during that imprisonment that he wrote the epistle to the Philippians. It was also likely that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon from Rome. According to tradition, Paul was martyred during Nero’s reign (AD 54–68).
UNLEASHING THE TEXT
Read 15:14–16:27, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
Romans 15:14–16:27 (NKJV)
14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
knowledge (v. 14)—deep, intimate knowledge; doctrinal soundness
admonish (v. 14)—encourage, warn, advise; that is, a comprehensive term for counseling
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,
16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
minister (v. 16)—one who serves God in some form of public worship
17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
glory (v. 17)—boast; Paul never boasted of his accomplishments, only of what Christ had done through him
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—
19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
signs and wonders (v. 19)—miracles that authenticated true teaching and preaching
20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,
another man’s foundation (v. 20)—As one with the gift of evangelism, Paul’s goal and desire was to minister to those who had never heard.
21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”
22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.
hindered from coming (v. 22)—an ongoing, providential prevention from getting to Rome
23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,
24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
helped on my way (v. 24)—Paul’s tactful way of requesting assistance in his proposed evangelistic campaign to Spain
25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
contribution (v. 26)—The Greek word indicates sharing and is usually translated “fellowship” or “communion”; that is, minister and financial supporters are partners.
27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
16:1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
labored (16:6)—suggests hard work to the point of exhaustion
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
holy kiss (v. 16)—a show of affection for friends, on the forehead, cheek, or beard; carried over from Jewish tradition
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
serve . . . their own belly (v. 18)—false teachers driven by self-interest and self-gratification
19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
the whole church (v. 23)—the congregation that met in Gaius’ house
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
establish (v. 25)—to make firm, stable, fast; that is, being rooted in the truth of the gospel
26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—
27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
1) What specifically did Paul ask his friends to pray about? What ministry plans and dreams did Paul have as he awaited his release?
2) Underline the numerous verbs and descriptive phrases Paul uses in 15:14–33 to refer to his labor for the Lord.
3) Circle the names Paul mentions in chapter 16. What insights into the work and structure of the first-century church can we glean from Paul’s personal greetings?
4) In the middle of this warm benediction, Paul includes a brief, but grave, warning against harmful teachings and practices. What specific instruction does he give?
GOING DEEPER
Consider Luke’s record of Paul’s difficult, but much longed for, arrival at Rome in Acts 28:11–16.
Acts 28:11–16 (NKJV)
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
EXPLORING THE MEANING
5) How does this passage illustrate the mutual affection between Paul and his brothers and sisters in Christ at Rome?
6) Read 2 Timothy 1:16–18. For what is Onesiphorus remembered?
7) Read 2 Corinthians 8:2–4. What instructions or principles for giving does Paul share with the church at Corinth?
TRUTH FOR TODAY
The people God uses to accomplish His will are His instruments, and no Christian should take personal credit for what God does through him. No brush takes credit for a masterpiece it was used to paint. No violin takes credit for the beautiful music the musician makes with it. Neither should a Christian deny or belittle what God has done through him because that would be to deny and belittle God’s own work.
REFLECTING ON THE TEXT
8) A modern-day Christian says, “Why should I get involved in ministry? That’s what we pay the church staff for! And all these appeals for money—I’d like to help, but I’ve got bills to pay. Besides, the church seems to get by nicely whether I give or not.” How do you think the believers listed in Romans 16 would respond?
9) Imagine yourself sitting among the believers at Rome as Paul’s letter was being read for the first time. How might the words of this final chapter have affected you and your brothers and sisters? Why?
10) Now that you’ve completed this study of Romans, skim back over some of the passages. Write a short doxology of your own, expressing your thanks to God for all He has done in your life through Christ.
PERSONAL RESPONSE
Write out additional reflections, questions you may have, or a prayer.
ADDITIONAL NOTES