CHAPTER 16

1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 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 probably the one delivering the letter to the Romans.
She may have been accompanied by others.

Paul calls her his "sister".
It is doubtful that she was a blood sister, and more probably a sister in the Lord Jesus.

Phebe was from Cenchrea, a small port town.
She was known for her hospitality and had obviously assisted many travelers, including Paul.
Acts 18:18), and had left there
"having shorn his head....for he had a vow."

Phebe is called a "servant."
Servant is actually derived from the Greek diakonos, and properly refers to servantship rather
than an ordained position.
Certain women were in fact used in the church to teach younger women and children, and to minister
as needed to the church in general. (See Titus 2:3-5)

They were to learn from their husbands at home, and not to teach men in the church. (See 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1Timothy 2:12)

Nowhere in the New Testament is it stated that women were ordained as deacons or deaconesses.
Rather, they were appointed to those positions by the church pastor/leader.

It is very clear in 1Timothy 3:1-12 that pastors and deacons were male.

In today's church, many have bent to the whims of society rather than staying with the Bible.

Phebe has been a useful servant, and helped many.
Paul desires that she be received well and be assisted in her ministry.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 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.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Here, Paul begins a series of greetings to certain people whom he knows are in Rome.

Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila when he traveled to Corinth.
They had left Rome because the Emperor Claudius "had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome."
(See Acts 18:2)

They were tentmakers like Paul, and he stayed with them.
It is likely he led them to Christ.
They were very devoted friends.
They had followed Paul when he left Corinth and went to Ephesus.
When Paul left for Syria, Aquila and Priscilla stayed behind carrying on the ministry there.

Obviously, the decree Claudius had made had ceased, and they had returned to Rome.

Epaenetus is referred to as "wellbeloved."
He was "the firstfruits" -- or one of the first ones Paul led to Christ in Ephesus.
Interestingly, an inscription was found in Rome of one "Epaenetus and Ephesian."

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

Paul salutes or greets many who are there in Rome.
*Mary - of whom we know nothing.
*Andronicus -- some kin to Paul, and had been converted to Christ before Paul.
*Junia -- some kin to Paul, and had been converted to Christ before Paul.
(Both Andronicus and Junia had also been imprisoned - but nothing is known about it.
And, both were held in high esteem by the Apostles in Jerusalem.) *Amplias - of whom we know nothing.
*Urbane - About whom we know only as a "helper in Christ".
(Paul's use of "our" in that description indicates that Urbane was a helper to ALL Christians.) *Stachys - About whom we know nothing.
*Apelles -- Whom Paul says was "approved in Christ."
(Probably meaning he had been severely tested and proven faithful.)
*Aristobulus -- Who might have been the grandson of Herod, and brother to Herod Agrippa.
*Herodion -- another of kin to Paul.
*Narcissus -- Who might have been influential with Emperor Claudius, or Nero.
*Tryphena and Tryphosa -- likely sisters. Both names have been found in connection with the imperial household.
*Persis -- Another woman who was likely influential.
*Rufus -- Note Paul's statement: "his mother and mine." Obviously Rufus' mother had been very helpful to Paul.
*Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes -- About whom we only know they had "brethren which are with them."
*Philologus, Julia, Nereus (and his sister) and Olympas -- about whom we only know they had "saints which are with them."

There are 23 names and one "sister" mentioned here.

At that period of time, churches were not normally built.
Most Christians met in someone's home.

It can be expected that many of these names had "churches" in their homes.

By this we can see Paul was sending greetings to MANY people!!

Rome was a very populated place, and there were some very influential Christians there.
MANY people were being fed the Gospel of Jesus!

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

The "holy kiss" is a common greeting in Eastern culture.
To kiss the hands, beard, forehead (but not lips) of one whom is adored.

This greeting is born out of phileo love -- or brotherly love.
Perhaps the best instance to describe it in Scripture is in John 11:30-36).
When Jesus was shown the tomb where they had laid Lazarus, he "wept!"
And, all those around Him said, "See how He LOVED (phileo) him."

As Christians, we are born into the LOVE of Christ -- which is agape love.
Or giving love without expectation of return -- caring deeply.

Out of this agape love comes phileo love -- which is brotherly love.
It is "holy" love! Genuinely caring for the family of Christ!

We should greet one another warmly, affectionately, with sincere care for each others well being.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

There were in Rome also many orthodox Jews.
Probably this section refers to them.
They would accept the Christians ONLY if they went by the rituals and rites of Moses.
This caused dissension in the churches.

It's like saying you can be saved by grace, but you must have WORKS!
My friends, salvation is BY grace THROUGH faith....ALONE!!
Works are a product of the salvation!
THIS is the "doctrine" of which Paul speaks.

There is no work, nor payment which God accepts for our salvation other than surrender to Jesus as Lord!!

Now, once we are genuinely saved, God's Holy Spirit gives us understanding of His Word, which inspires us to the "work of the Lord."(See 1Corinthians 15:58)

Those who cause "divisions and offences contrary" to this doctrine need to be AVOIDED!!

Once a known alcoholic came into the church.
He came several weeks in a row.
Then, one Sunday morning, he went down the aisle to surrender his life to Jesus!
That afternoon, the pastor was approached by two men of the church.
They said, "That man needs to clean up his life first!"
To which the pastor replied, "For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that NOT of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God:
not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9) Then he said, "My friends, we can never clean up our lives sufficient for God!
The only thing we can do is surrender to Christ, and then let HIM clean up our lives!"
That pretty much ended the discussion!

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Paul had first-hand knowledge of all those whom he had greeted, and was "glad" for that knowledge.
He knew from visitors that they were "obedient" to Christ and the faith of Christ.
This was known "abroad" to many churches.

But Paul wants them to know what is "good, and simple concerning evil."
Now, what can be good about evil?
Well, if you KNOW it, then you can stay AWAY from it!
It's as "simple" as that!

And, it won't be long until God will put a STOP to it!
Paul was looking forward to the day when Jesus would come and bind Satan, and keep him for a thousand years!
(See Revelation 20:1-3)

THAT day could come at ANY time!
I pray you are, as Paul, looking for it to happen!

UNTIL then, when the Holy Spirit of God reveals evil to you --
STAY AWAY!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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