Final Greetings and Encouragements (Romans 15:14-16:27)

"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." Romans 16:25-27 (NIV)

Context

Phoebe, a deacon from Cenchreae (a city near Corinth) delivered this letter to the church in Rome and possibly explained it to them in their weekly gathering. Being Paul’s benefactor means she was probably wealthy and provided Paul with financial support.

The other names in Romans 16 are members of the church to whom Paul sends greetings. The names reflect the diversity of the Roman church as made up of Jews, Gentiles, slaves, freed persons, men, and women! It also suggests that this letter was written to six or more different house churches located throughout the city!

• House Church 1 = Priscilla and Aquila, Roman Jews who met Paul in Corinth after they were expelled from Rome in AD49 (Acts 18:2). They returned to Rome sometime after AD54.
• House Church 2 (possible) = Andronicus and Junia, who were Christians before Paul. Possibly Roman Jews who were saved at Pentecost (Acts 2:10), or Hellenistic Jews from Galilee or the Decapolis.
• House Church 3 = the slaves of the household of Aristobulus, who may have been related to the Herod family.
• House Church 4 = the slaves of the household of Narcissus, who possibly served Emperor Claudius.
• House Church 5 = Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the other brothers and sisters with them.
• House Church 6 = Philologus, Julia, Nereus, his sister, Olympas, and all the Lord’s people with them, who were possibly slaves belonging to the imperial household.

Observation

As he wraps up his letter to the church in Rome, Paul reports his travel plans:

• He intends first to bring financial aid to the poor in the church at Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27; also written about in Acts 24:17; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9 ).
• Then, he plans to visit Rome (Romans 15:24, 28-29).
• And finally, Paul wants to bring the gospel to Spain (Romans 15:23).

Like his introduction, observe Paul’s repetition of euangelion (translated as “gospel” or “good news”) in his conclusion:

• He wrote this letter boldly because of his duty to proclaim the gospel of God to the Gentiles (Roman 15:15-16).
• Paul has fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ, from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Romans 15:19).
• It is his ambition to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known (Romans 15:20).
• Paul prays for the Roman church to be established in accordance with his gospel about Christ, which was:
  • written about in the prophets; and
  • aims for Gentiles to come to the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 16:25-26).

Paul concludes this letter with:

1. a warning = to stay away from those who cause divisions (Romans 16:17-19); and

2. a prayer = for God to establish this church in accordance with the gospel (Romans 16:25-27).

Interpretation

In our study thus far, we have discovered at least two reasons Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome:

1. To explain his understanding of the gospel to a church he had not yet visited (Romans 1:1-17); and

2. To explain how this gospel should impact the conflict between the “strong” and “weak” factions in the church (Romans 14:1-15:13).

Paul’s travel plans indicate he has yet another reason for writing to them. What is it?

You may recall that on Day 1 of this plan, we discussed Paul’s repetition of gospel in the letter’s introduction (glance at the devotional from that day if you need a reminder). He repeatedly mentions this theme again in his conclusion. Why does he both begin and end this letter with an emphasis on this theme?

As you read the names mentioned in Romans 16 (though you may be tempted to skip over them!), consider why Paul took the time to include these greetings. What does this tell you about Paul? How would those greeted feel when they heard their name being read out loud during the public gathering?

What does the final warning (in Romans 16:17-19) and prayer (in Romans 16:25-27) emphasize for the Roman church as they finish reading this letter? How does it direct their steps in moving forward in response to Paul’s gospel as described in it?

Application

Do you know people who cause divisions in the church and magnify issues that are not essential to the gospel of Christ? Have you ever been the cause of such division? What can you do to practice “keeping away” from this sort of thing?

Consider Paul’s final focus on God’s ability to establish us in accordance with the gospel. What does this mean for you? What can you do to grow in recognizing your dependence on him to have your mind renewed and your life transformed?