Romans: Farewell

 
Introduction
Last week, we looked at Romans 15:1–13 and saw how it serves as a bridge between theology and personal expression. Paul urges believers to follow Christ’s example by bearing with one another in love, primarily where differences in conviction exist. He reminds them that real strength is shown not in asserting one’s freedom but in using it to build others up. Christ’s selfless obedience and servant heart model the kind of unity God desires for His people—a unity that surpasses culture, background, and personal preference. Through shared faith and hope, both Jew and Gentile are called to glorify God with one mind and one voice.

As Paul moves into the closing chapter of his letter, he reminds his readers that this spirit of mutual love and encouragement sets the stage for what follows. Romans 16 becomes a living example of how Paul’s theology becomes personal—it’s expressed in the warmth of his greetings to those who have lived out gospel unity in practical, relational ways.

Romans 16:1–2

Paul begins his conclusion by commending Phoebe to the Roman church. Phoebe isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, but from what Paul says about her, she appears to be a prominent and trusted member of the church in Cenchreae, a port city near Corinth. She was actively involved in ministry and was planning a trip to Rome. Paul commends her for her faithful service to other Christians and asks the believers in Rome to provide her with whatever assistance she needs.

Paul calls her a deacon (Greek: diakonos) of the church in Cenchreae. The term may indeed refer to a specific office, as it does in Philippians 1:1, though it can also mean “minister” or “servant,” describing one who actively serves the church. Either way, it is a title of honor. Phoebe was not a passive member of the congregation—she was engaged in the ministry of the gospel.

Paul also calls her “our sister,” reminding the Roman believers that she is part of the same spiritual family. There is a threefold purpose in Paul’s commendation:

1. “Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people.” This welcome likely included receiving Phoebe into their fellowship, but it may also have meant helping her find housing, food, and other practical support.
2. “Help her in whatever she needs.” Though Paul doesn’t specify her need, it’s possible that Phoebe required legal or logistical assistance while in Rome.
3. “She has been helpful to many, and especially to me.” This statement reveals that Phoebe was likely a woman of means who used her resources to support the church and the apostle Paul personally.
   
   

It’s widely believed that Phoebe carried Paul’s letter to the Roman church herself. In that case, this commendation served as her letter of introduction—a standard and essential practice in the ancient world, meant to identify trusted messengers and protect the church from impostors.
Phoebe’s inclusion here is significant. She represents countless faithful servants in the church—men and women who labor quietly behind the scenes, yet whose service strengthens the whole body of Christ.

Romans 16:3–16

Paul continues with a remarkable list of personal greetings. He names twenty-six individuals, two households, and three house churches. This greeting is more than just a roll call; it’s a portrait of the early church at work. Paul’s reference to these coworkers by name shows that he did not serve Christ in isolation. Ministry was never a solo effort for Paul—it was built on relationships, cooperation, and mutual encouragement.

If Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, needed such a network of helpers, how much more do we? No one is meant to serve Christ alone.

This passage gives us a beautiful picture of the diversity and unity of the early church.

Diverse
The church in Rome was a mixture of backgrounds, ethnicities, and social classes. Paul’s greetings show that the congregation included both Jews and Gentiles (for example, Priscilla and Aquila, Andronicus and Junia, and Herodion were Jewish names). The others, mostly Greek names, reflect Gentile believers.

The church was also diverse in social status. Some names (Ampliatus, Urbanus, Hermes, Philologus, and Julia) were common among enslaved people. In contrast, others may have belonged to freedmen or those of noble status (such as Rufus, possibly the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross).

And the church was diverse in gender—nine of the twenty-six individuals mentioned are women. That’s a remarkable number in the context of the ancient world. These women were not bystanders; they were leaders, patrons, and workers in the gospel.

Paul’s final instruction in verse 16, to “greet one another with a sacred (holy) kiss,” reflects the closeness of their fellowship. The kiss was a standard cultural greeting, but here it takes on sacred meaning—it symbolizes peace, forgiveness, and unity among believers.

Unified
Despite their diversity, Paul’s greetings also reveal a deep sense of unity. Over and over, he refers to his friends as being “in Christ” or “in the Lord.” This phrase defines their identity. What joined them together wasn’t shared ethnicity or background but their shared relationship with Jesus.

Paul also uses familial language, calling them “brother” or “sister.” He mentions that they are “fellow workers” and even “fellow sufferers.” These shared experiences—laboring and suffering together—bound the early Christians into a deep spiritual family.

It’s worth noting that many of these believers hosted house churches, which Paul references at least six times. These homes became centers of worship, prayer, and fellowship. Though the Roman church was spread out across the city, it was united by love, faith, and a common mission.

This section reminds us that the church, at its best, is both diverse and united—a community of different people drawn together by one Lord, one Spirit, and one gospel.

Romans 16:17–20

After this series of greetings, Paul suddenly shifts tone. His voice moves from affectionate to urgent as he issues a warning. “Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught.”

This transition may seem abrupt, but it makes perfect sense. Having just celebrated the unity of the church, Paul now warns against anything that would threaten it. The gospel brings people together; false teaching tears them apart.

Paul pleads for watchfulness—be on guard for those who distort the truth. Not all disagreements are harmful; some arise from genuine faithfulness to Christ. But the divisions Paul warns about are those caused by people who intentionally twist or reject apostolic teaching.

For Paul, the test of truth is not popularity or personality—it’s faithfulness to the message of Christ as handed down by the apostles. The church must hold firmly to this foundation, preserved for us today in the New Testament.

Paul’s warning grows stronger: “Stay away from them.” There is no holy kiss for these false teachers. Instead, the church must separate from them to preserve the integrity of its witness. Why? Because, Paul says, “Such people are not serving our Lord Christ; they are serving their own personal interests (appetites).” Their motivation is selfishness, not devotion.

By smooth talk and flattering words, they deceive the unsuspecting. Their message sounds appealing, but it lacks truth. It’s a reminder that false teaching rarely enters the church through open rebellion—it slips in quietly, disguised as wisdom or love, appealing to emotion rather than truth.

Yet Paul’s tone quickly turns hopeful. He affirms the faithfulness of the Roman believers: “Everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy.” Still, he encourages them to pair obedience with discernment. “I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.”

In other words, be experts in good and amateurs in evil. The church is not called to be naïve but to cultivate discernment—recognizing what is right and rejecting what is wrong.
Paul closes this section with a powerful promise: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” The victory of good over evil is assured. Satan’s defeat is inevitable, though not yet complete. Paul reminds them that God Himself will bring peace and victory to His people.

Conclusion
Romans 16 is far more than a list of names—it is a picture of the gospel in action. The Christian faith is not lived in isolation but in community, in shared labor, in friendship, and in vigilance against falsehood. Paul’s closing words remind us that sound doctrine and genuine love belong together.

Phoebe shows us that faithful service, no matter how quiet or unseen, is vital to the work of God. The long list of names shows us that the church is a diverse and unified family. And the final warning reminds us that unity must be protected by truth.

Three Application Points:

1. Value the unseen servants.
   Just as Paul commended Phoebe, we should honor those who serve faithfully behind the scenes. The strength of any church rests not on a few public figures but on the many who quietly love, give, and serve.
2. Celebrate diversity and pursue unity.
   The church thrives when different people—of every background, story, and skill—come together in Christ. Our differences don’t divide us; they display the beauty of God’s grace.
3. Guard the gospel with discernment and love.
   Truth matters. Love matters. One without the other leads to imbalance. The church must always hold fast to sound teaching while extending grace to those who seek the truth sincerely.

​When we live out these truths, the church becomes what God designed it to be—a family of faith marked by love, unity, and watchfulness, waiting together for the day when “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.”
 

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