Romans 16
BSASBPaul closes his great letter by commending Phoebe, who probably carried it to Rome, and by greeting a long list of friends and fellow workers by name. He warns the church against those who divide it with smooth talk, then adds greetings from his companions. The letter ends with a hymn of praise to the only wise God, who has made known the gospel to all nations.
Romans 16:1
Paul introduces Phoebe, a believer from Cenchrea, the eastern port of Corinth. She likely carried this letter to Rome. Paul calls her sister and servant of the church. He wants the Roman believers to receive her as one of their own family.
BSA: servant (“deaconess, minister”): Phoebe held a recognized place of service in her church, not just a casual helper’s role. commend (“strongly recommend, introduce”): Paul is vouching for her, like writing a letter of introduction for a trusted messenger.
Greek: διάκονον (diakonon, G1249) — “servant, one who serves; also used for a church minister or deacon.” The same word is used elsewhere for ministers of the gospel and for church servants. It shows that Phoebe’s work was real, recognized service.
Romans 16:2
Paul asks the Romans to welcome Phoebe as fellow believers should, and to help her with whatever she needs. She had been a generous supporter of many, Paul included. Receiving her well was a way of honoring the Lord whose servant she was.
BSA: help (“a succourer, patroness”): Phoebe was a protector and benefactor, someone who stood by others and gave of her means.
Greek: προστάτις (prostatis, G4368) — “a helper, protector, patron.” The word pictures someone who stands in front of others to guard and support them. Paul says she did this for many, and for him too.
Romans 16:3-4
Prisca (Priscilla) and her husband Aquila were Paul’s partners in the work. At some point they put their own lives in danger for him. Paul says that not only he but all the Gentile churches owe them thanks. Their courage helped the gospel spread beyond Israel.
BSA: risked (“laid down their own necks”): The phrase pictures putting one’s neck under the sword, a vivid way to say they were ready to die for him.
See also: Acts 18:2-3; Acts 18:26.
Romans 16:5
Early Christians had no church buildings, so believers met in homes, and Prisca and Aquila’s home was one such place. Paul also greets Epenetus, whom he loved, and who was among the very first in Asia to believe in Christ.
BSA: first convert (“firstfruits, initial harvest”): Epenetus was the first sheaf of a harvest, a promise that many more in Asia would follow.
Greek: ἀπαρχὴ (aparchē, G536) — “firstfruits.” This is the first produce of a harvest, offered to God as a pledge of more to come. Paul sees Epenetus as that kind of beginning.
See also: 1 Corinthians 16:19.
Romans 16:6
Paul honors Mary for how hard she worked among the believers. We know nothing more about her, but God, through Paul, remembered her. Quiet, faithful labor for others is noticed and treasured in the Lord’s family.
Greek: ἐκοπίασεν (ekopiasen, G2872) — “toiled, labored to the point of weariness.” This is a strong word for work that wears a person out. Paul uses it several times in this chapter for women who gave themselves fully to the Lord’s work.
Romans 16:7
Andronicus and Junia were Jewish believers like Paul, had been in prison with him, and had trusted Christ before he did. Paul says they are outstanding among the apostles. Christians read this phrase in slightly different ways, but all agree Paul holds them in high honor.
BSA: fellow prisoners (“who shared my captivity”): They had suffered imprisonment for the gospel alongside Paul. apostles (“messengers of Jesus Christ”): The word means sent ones, and it was used more widely than just for the Twelve.
See also: 2 Corinthians 11:23.
Romans 16:8-9
Paul names more dear friends. Ampliatus is beloved in the Lord, meaning their love rests on Christ. Urbanus is a fellow worker, and Stachys is another loved friend. For Paul the gospel was never just a message. It was a family of named people.
BSA: beloved (“cherished, dearly loved”): Paul writes with real affection, not just courtesy.
Romans 16:10-11
Apelles has been tested and has proved genuine in Christ. Paul also greets believers within the households of Aristobulus and Narcissus. These were probably family members, servants or slaves, some of whom belonged to the Lord. The gospel had reached into large Roman homes.
BSA: approved (“tested and”): Apelles’s faith had been through trials and came out proven. household (“family, home”): Paul greets the believers within a larger family or staff, not the head of the house.
Romans 16:12
Paul greets Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who work hard in the Lord, and his beloved Persis, who has worked even harder. He values these women for their labor, and he says it is done in the Lord, not just for him. Nothing done for Christ is small.
BSA: worked hard (“labored, toiled”): Their service cost them effort and weariness, and Paul honors it.
Romans 16:13
Rufus is called chosen in the Lord, which may mean outstanding, or may simply remind us that all believers are chosen. Paul also calls Rufus’s mother a mother to him. She had cared for Paul like family, so he calls her his own mother in the faith.
BSA: mother (“a spiritual parent”): She showed Paul a mother’s care, whether in hospitality or kindness, and he gratefully claims her as family.
See also: Mark 15:21.
Romans 16:14-15
Paul lists more names and groups of believers. They probably belonged to other house churches across Rome. By naming them, Paul tells the church that each one matters. He calls them saints, which means those set apart for God.
BSA: saints (“holy ones, set apart for God”): Saints is not a title for a special few. It describes all who belong to God.
Romans 16:16
In that culture, a kiss was a normal greeting between friends and family. Paul wants believers to greet each other warmly, as brothers and sisters, in a way that is pure. He also passes on greetings from all the churches of Christ, showing that Christians everywhere belong together.
BSA: kiss (“a symbol of love and respect”): The greeting expressed genuine love among believers.
Greek: φιλήματι ἁγίῳ (philēmati hagiō, G5370) — “holy kiss.” The word is related to the Greek word for friendly love. Paul says this greeting should be holy, meaning clean and set apart for God.
See also: 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14.
Romans 16:17
After all the warm greetings, Paul gives a serious warning. Watch out for people who split the church and put stumbling blocks in believers’ way by contradicting what they were taught. His advice is to turn away from them, not to follow or argue endlessly.
BSA: divisions (“dissensions, disagreements”): These people stir up quarrels and factions within the family of God. obstacles (“stumbling blocks, offenses”): Their teaching trips others up in their walk with Christ.
Greek: σκάνδαλα (skandala, G4625) — “traps, stumbling blocks.” The word first meant the trigger of a trap. Paul says false teachers set traps that make believers fall.
See also: Titus 3:10.
Romans 16:18
Such people do not really serve Christ. They serve themselves, and their goal is what they can gain. They use pleasant words and flattery to win over trusting, simple-hearted believers. A pleasant tone is no proof of true teaching.
BSA: appetites (“belly, stomach”): Paul says these people are ruled by their own cravings, like servants of their stomachs. smooth talk (“fair speech, flattering words”): Their speech sounds good and gentle but hides a harmful purpose.
Greek: κοιλίᾳ (koilia, G2836) — “belly.” Paul literally says they serve their own belly. It is a blunt picture of a life run by selfish desires.
See also: Philippians 3:19.
Romans 16:19
News of the Romans’ obedience had spread everywhere, and Paul rejoices. Still, he wants them to be wise about what is good and to have nothing to do with evil. Good discernment means knowing the good well, without needing to experiment with the bad.
BSA: innocent (“pure, guileless”): The believers should stay unmixed and clean where evil is concerned.
Greek: ἀκεραίους (akeraious, G185) — “unmixed, pure.” The word describes something with no impurity mixed in, like unalloyed metal or undiluted wine.
See also: Matthew 10:16.
Romans 16:20
God, who gives peace, will bring the final defeat of Satan, and his people will share in it. This echoes the old promise that the serpent would be crushed. Paul ends with a blessing: the grace of the Lord Jesus be with them.
BSA: crush (“bruise, break, tread down”): The picture is of a conquered enemy trampled underfoot. soon (“quickly, in a short time”): Paul wants them to expect the victory with confidence, not to doubt it.
Greek: συντρίψει (syntripsei, G4937) — “will crush, will shatter.” The word means to break something thoroughly in pieces. It echoes the promise of Genesis 3:15.
See also: Genesis 3:15.
Romans 16:21
Paul’s companions now send greetings. Timothy, his young helper and a trusted fellow worker, is named first. Lucius, Jason and Sosipater are Jewish believers like Paul. The gospel is carried by a team, not by one person alone.
BSA: countrymen (“kinsmen, relatives, those who share my heritage”): These three are Jews, and Paul counts them as his own people.
See also: Acts 16:1-3.
Romans 16:22
Suddenly the scribe breaks in. Tertius wrote down the letter as Paul spoke it, and he adds his own greeting in the Lord. It is a touching reminder that this great letter was written down by an ordinary, named believer.
BSA: wrote down (“recorded, penned”): Tertius was Paul’s secretary, who took down Paul’s words faithfully.
See also: Galatians 6:11.
Romans 16:23
Gaius opened his home to Paul and to the whole church, a generous host. Erastus, an official who handled the city’s finances, also sends greetings, along with Quartus. Believers came from all walks of life, from hosts to civic officers, and all were one in Christ.
BSA: treasurer (“steward, overseer”): Erastus managed the city’s money, so he held a position of trust in public life.
See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14.
Romans 16:25
Paul now praises the God who is able to make believers stand firm. This strength comes through the gospel he preaches, which is the message of Jesus Christ. That message was a secret kept hidden for ages, and is now openly revealed.
BSA: strengthen (“establish, make you strong”): God is the one who makes believers steady and secure, not they themselves. mystery (“secret, truth”): This is God’s long-hidden plan, now disclosed in Christ.
See also: Ephesians 3:4-6.
Romans 16:26
What was hidden is now made known. It was not entirely new, because the prophets’ writings pointed to it, and God himself commanded it to be proclaimed. Its aim is that people from every nation would believe and obey, and so be brought into God’s family.
BSA: nations (“peoples, Gentiles”): The gospel is for people of every nation, not for one people alone. obedience (“submission, compliance”): Faith in Christ leads to a life that willingly follows him.
See also: Romans 1:5.
Romans 16:27
The letter ends in worship. Paul gives glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ. After all the long arguments about sin, grace, faith, and God’s plan, the right response is praise. God’s wisdom has done what no human plan could do.
BSA: glory (“honor, praise”): All honor belongs to God alone, who planned and carried out salvation.
See also: Romans 11:33-36.