ROMANS CHAPTER 16
ROMANS CHAPTER 16
Paul’s thirteen inspired letters were written on his second and third evangelistic tours. Here is a possible chronology.
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1st and 2nd Thessalonians (A.D. 52 - 53)
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His great doctrinal letters - Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, and Romans (A. D. 57 - 58). #
His prison letters - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (A.D. 62 - 63). #
His pastoral letters - 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus (A.D. 66 - 68).
The letter to Rome was dictated to Tertius while Paul was in Corinth around A.D. 58 (Rom. 16:22).
While the focus of our study will be on chapter 16, it needs to be remembered that the Bible was not divided into chapters until the 13th century. Many feel it was the work of Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was first divided into verses by Robert Estienne in A. D. 1555.
In Romans chapter 16 Paul sent personal greetings to many people in Rome whom he knew by name. Since Paul had not yet been to Rome (Rom. 1:9 - 13, it is interesting to speculate how and where he met them, and what they were doing in Rome?
It is hard to be interested in people we do not know. The names of your family members, for example, are of no interest to a stranger, and vice versa. When we come to know someone, however, their names assume a new significance. The letter to Rome is inspired, and these names are in the Bible for a purpose. These people obviously meant something to God , and also to Paul, and they ought to also be meaningful to us. Therefore, this brief study will concentrate on the people mentioned in this chapter. Let us prayerfully seek to know them better.
PHEBE
“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
Phebe is mentioned only here. Everything we know about her is found in these two verses of Scripture.
- She was a “sister” in the Lord.
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She was a “servant” of the church at Cenchrea. The word “servant” is the Greek word “diakonon” from which we get our English word “deacon”. The word refers to many different types of service. It refers to domestic servants (Jn. 2:5, 9); civil rulers (Rom. 13:4); Christ (Rom. 15:8, Gal. 2:17); the followers of Christ (Jn. 12:26, Eph. 6:21, Col. 1:7, 4:7, etc.) We are not told how the church at Cenchrea came to be.
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The brethren in Rome were to receive her as a fellow saint and assist her in whatever business she had need of. This far reaching endorsement is remarkable. Certainly Paul was not prejudiced against women and worked with them often in his service to Christ.
- Phebe had helped Paul personally, and had also been a help to others.
- It is thought by many that Phebe personally carried this inspired letter to Rome.
PRISCILLA AND AQUILLA
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.”
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These faithful workers are mentioned 6 times in the Bible. (Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19). 3 times Priscilla is mentioned first, and 3 times Aquila is mentioned first.
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Aquila, the husband, was born in Pontus, and moved from Rome to Corinth when Claudius ordered all Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:2)
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They were tent makers, as was Paul, and he stayed with them in Corinth (Acts 18:3). #
When Paul left Corinth they went with him to Ephesus and he left they there (Acts 18:18, 19).
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At Ephesus Acquila and Priscilla instructed Apollos in the way of the Lord more perfectly (Acts 18:26).
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They had a church in their house in Rome, and also in Ephesus. From Ephesus they sent greetings to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:19).
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Paul sent greetings to them just before he was executed (2 Tim. 4:19).
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Rom. 16 informs us:
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They were Paul’s helpers.
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They laid down their necks for him.
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Paul gave thanks to them as did all the churches of the Gentiles.
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They also had a church in their house in Rome.
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As a point of interest, Rom. 16:4, 5 is the first time that the words “church” or
“churches” is found in this letter. The letter was not addressed to the “church” in
Rome, but rather to “all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Rom.
1:7). This leads to the assumption that there was not one cental meeting place where
the believers in Rome congregated.
EPAENETUS
“Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
- Epaenetus is mentioned only here.
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He was “well beloved” by Paul.
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He was among the first converts to Christ in Achaia.
MARY
“Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.”
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Mary was a common name and we have no way of knowing if she was one who is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.
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The Greek word translated as “much labor” is “kopiao”. William Barclay defines it as laboring to the point of utter exhaustion.
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Mary was obviously a hard worker for Christ as were other women mentioned in this chapter.
ANDRONICUS AND JUNIA
“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me”
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These two are mentioned only here.
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The name “Junia” could refer to either a man or a woman.
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They were Paul’s relatives. This could mean that they were in his immediate family, or that they were from the tribe of Benjamin. It is doubtful that “kinsmen” would be used of fellow Jews.
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The fact that they were of note among the apostles could mean either that the apostles knew them, or that they were themselves apostles. The word “apostle” refers to one who is sent. There are three levels of apostles in the Bible.
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Jesus was sent by God and is therefore the Apostle and High Priest of our profession
(Heb. 3:1).
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Out of many disciples, Jesus chose and sent out 12 to be His apostles.
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The third level of apostles were those sent out by the church. Barnabas was an
apostle of the church (Acts 14:14, and was Titus (2 Cor. 8:23) and Epaphroditus
(Phil. 2:25).
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Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before Paul as were many others like Mnason of Cyprus (Acts 21:16)
AMPLIAS
“Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord”
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Amplias was a common name. It is a contraction of “Ampliatus”
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He was Paul’s beloved in the Lord.
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He was obviously someone well known among the brethren in Rome.
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This name is found in connection with the imperial household. Since Paul was
commissioned to bear the name of Jesus before Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15) this man might have been in the Emperor’s household.
URBANE
“Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ”
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Urbane is mentioned only here.
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It was a common name among slaves.
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Paul describes him as “our” helper in contrast with “my” helpers in vss. 3 and 5.
STACHYS
“. . . and Stachys my beloved”
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Mentioned only here.
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This too is a common name.
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This name is also found in inscriptions regarding the royal household. #
He was obviously close to Paul who referred to him as “my beloved”.
APELLES
“Salute Apelles approved in Christ”
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Mentioned only here.
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The word translated as “approved” is “dokimon”. We are to study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15), and those who endure temptations are also approved (Ja. 1:12). #
Apelles was obviously a faithful brother who was approved after a time of testing.
ARISTOBULUS’ HOUSEHOLD
“Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household”
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Mentioned only here in the Bible, though the name is prominent in secular history. #
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that he was probably the grandson of Herod and brother of Herod Agrippa. If so, he was a man of great wealth and intimate with the emperor Claudius.
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Lightfoot in his commentary on Philippians (p. 172) assumes that his “household” involved his slaves and that they remained together after his death. Note that Paul did not send greetings to Aristobulus, but rather to believers in his “household”.
HERODIAN
“Salute Herodian my kinsman”
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He is mentioned only here.
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The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia assumes he was either a freedman of Herod, or a part of the household of Aristobulus.
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Again, being Paul’s “kinsman” either refers to his personal family or the tribe of Benjamin.
THE HOUSEHOLD OF NARCISSUS
“Greet them that are of the household of Narcissus;, which are in the Lord”
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Mentioned only here.
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It was, however, a common name.
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Conybeare and Howson suggest he was a close friend of Claudius or Nero. #
Again, the greeting was not to Narcissus, but to believers in his household.
TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA
“Salute Tryphena and Truyphosa, who labour in the Lord”.
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They are mentioned only here.
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Tryphena means “dainty” and Tryphosa means “delicate”.
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They may have been sisters.
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Again, as with Mary mentioned above, they labored in the Lord. It is again the word “kopiao” which means these dainty and delicate women worked like horses to the point of utter exhaustion.
PERSIS
“Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord”
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Mentioned only here.
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The name is feminine indicating that Persis was a woman.
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She was beloved by Paul.
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She also labored much in the Lord. Again Paul uses “kopiao” to describe her labor of love.
RUFUS AND HIS MOTHER
“Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine”.
- The name Rufus means “red” or “reddish” and was a common name for slaves.
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It is found two times in the Bible - here and in Mk. 15:21.
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Mark 15:21 states that Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus, was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Paul wrote to the Colossians from Rome and Mark was with him at that time (Col. 4:10). It is believed that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome as it was dictated to him by Peter.
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Rufus was chosen in the Lord, and in some way his mother was also Paul’s mother. #
Mark records the promise of Jesus that those who left their families for His sake, would receive a hundredfold families in this life, including mothers (Mk. 10:30).
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While it is impossible to prove, it is possible that Paul stayed with Rufus and his family in Antioch. This would explain how the mother of Rufus was also Paul’s mother. #
Please consider - Simon, the father of Rufus, was from Cyrene (Mk. 15:21). #
Some men from Cyrene went to Antioch and spake to the Grecians (Acts 11:20). #
It is possible that Simon of Cyrene was one of these men.
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Paul (or Saul) came to Antioch and for a year he and Barnabas taught much people
(Acts 11:26).
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It would be logical for Paul (Saul) to stay with Simon and his family as Simon was
an eye witness of the crucifixion.
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This would be a plausible explanation of how the mother of Rufus was also Paul’s
mother.
ASYNCRITUS, PHLEGON, HERMAS, PATROBAS HERMES, AND THE BRETHREN
“Salute Asyncrfitus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them”.
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These five brethren are mentioned only here.
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Because they are grouped together it is assumed that they worked as a team.
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“And the brethren with them” indicates that other brothers either worshiped with them in the same congregation or were a part of the same team.
PHILOLOGUS, JULIA, NEREUS AND HIS SISTER AND ALL THE SAINTS
“Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them”
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This group of names is also mentioned only here.
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The name Philologus means “fond of learning”.
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Since Julia is mentioned with him it is assumed that she was his wife.
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Nereus and his sister were apparently also a team that labored together.
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“Olympas and all the saints with them” indicates that all of these brethren worshiped and worked together. There were, as you know, many house churches in the First Century. #
Note that 7 women are mentioned by name thus far - Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Julia. It is possible, as we have pointed out, that the Junia of verse 7
was also a woman.
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In addition to the 7 or 8 women mentioned by name we also have reference to the mother of Rufus (v. 13), and the sister of Nereus (v. 15.
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There are also 2 households mentioned (Aristobulus v. 10 and Narcissus v. 11). #
Priscilla and Aquila had a church in their house (v. 5), and there are also 2 other possible house churches mentioned in vss. 14, and 15.
NOTE!
THE FIRST 15 VERSES REFER TO 29 BRETHREN BY NAME IN ROME HAVING NOT BEEN TO ROME - HOW DID PAUL KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE THERE? VERSES 21- 23 REFER TO 8 BRETHREN BY NAME WITH PAUL IN CORINTH PAUL HAD PLANNED FOR A LONG TIME TO COME TO ROME (ROM. 1:13) PAUL WANTED TO COME BY ROME ON HIS WAY TO SPAIN (ROM. 15:24)
PLEASE CONSIDER
WE KNOW THAT PAUL SENT MANY PEOPLE MANY PLACES
PERHAPS
PAUL SENT SOME OF THESE 29 PEOPLE TO ROME TO PREPARE FOR HIS COMING!
NOW LET’S CONSIDER THOSE 8 PEOPLE WITH PAUL WHO SENT GREETINGS
TIMOTHY
“Timotheus my workfellow” (Rom. 16:21)
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Timotheus has been Paul’s traveling companion for many years. #
He was pointed out to Paul by prophetic utterance (1 Tim. 1:18). #
Paul had no one as “like minded” as Timothy to work with (Phil. 2:20).
LUCIUS, JASON, AND SOSIPATER
“Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you”
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Now we have six individuals identified as Paul’s “kinsmen”. Andronicus and Junia (v. 7), Herodion (v. 11), and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (v. 21).
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Lucius of Cyrene was one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch (Acts 13:1). This is possibly the same man with Paul sending greetings to the brethren in Rome.
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A man named Jason was Paul’s host in Thessalonica. His name is found 4 times in the narrative (Acts 17:5, 6, 7, and 9). W hen Paul was arrested Jason paid security for him (Acts 17:9).
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The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that Sosipater was the same man as Sopater of Berea who accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).
TERTIUS
“I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord”
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It is possible that Tertius was another name for Silas.
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Silas is mentioned 13 times in the book of Acts as Paul’s traveling companion. #
Silas was with Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:3).
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Silas was a scribe who helped Peter write his first epistle (1 Pet. 5:12).
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The name “Tertius” means “third” in Latin, “shalish” is the Hebrew word for “third”. #
Paul regularly used scribes to write letters but always signed them with his own hand (2 Thess. 3:17; Col. 4:18; 1 Cor. 16:21).
GAIUS
“Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you.”
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The name “Gaius” is found 5 times in the Bible
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Gaius and Aristarchus were men from Macedonia and Paul’s traveling companions. These two were caught by a mob in Ephesus and dragged into the theater there (Acts 19:29). #
Gaius of Derbe accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). Derbe was a town in Lycaonia not Macedonia (Acts 14:6).
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Gaius was one of the few Paul remembered baptizing in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14).
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Gaius was an elder to whom John sent his third epistle (3rd Jn. 1).
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In Romans 16:23 Gaius is identified as Paul’s host, and also of the “whole church”. #
While the brethren in Rome apparently didn’t have one place where they could all meet, the brethren in Corinth did. The “whole church” in Corinth was hosted by Gaius.
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It is not easy to determine all the ways Gaius worked with Paul.
ERASTUS
“Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you . . .”
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The name Erastus is found 3 times in the Bible.
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Timothy and Erastus ministered unto Paul and he sent them on a mission from Asia to Macedonia (Acts 19:22).
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In 2 Tim. 4:20 Paul said that Erastus abode at Corinth while he left Trophimus at Miletum sick.
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In Rom. 16:23 we are told that Erastus was the “chamberlain” or “treasurer” of the City. #
If this Erastus was the same man who traveled with Paul it is probable that he gave up his position with the city to do so.
QUARTUS
“ . . . and Quartus a brother”
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The name “Quartus” means “fourth”.
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He is mentioned only here.
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He may have had some special association with Erastus as their names are mentioned together.
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He was with Paul at the time this letter was written and sent salutations to the brethren in Rome.
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He is the last person mentioned by name in Romans chapter 16.
IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HEAVEN?
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It would be a great honor to have your name written in the Bible.
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It is more important, however, that your name is written down in heaven.
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Jesus once sent out 70 with the power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. When they returned rejoicing over their success, Jesus said: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20).
An unknown poet said it like this:
To have your name inscribed up there is better yet by far,
Than any human all of fame or any man made star.
This crowd on earth, they soon forget the heroes of the past. They cheer like mad until you fall, and that’s how long that lasts. And so, dear friend, I’d rather have, my name however small. Inscribed up there beyond the stars in God’s Celestial Hall. Than have any famous name on earth and the glory that they share. I’d rather be unknown down here, and have my name up there.