ROMANS 509 Chapter 16 Greetings to and from the saints

Rather than me printing out the list of saints who Paul salutes in Rome, read them in your own Bible and notice the following:

There were several churches (groups of believers) in Rome. How many do you count? When Paul finally got to Rome, he lived right in the center, in the palace, and had quite an effect on them. (Acts 28:16,30,31; Phil 1:12-18)

Paul salutes men and women alike. Some were apostles (vs 7), some were ordinary mothers (vs 13), all were beloved, valued members in Christ. Paul even had relatives there (vs11), some who had been saved before him (vs 7). Notice how these saints were not sitting in comfortable church buildings, they were helping Paul and each other to get God’s word out into a hostile environment (vs 2,4,6,12).

Romans 16:17-20

Now, God, through Paul, begs you to please value the doctrine He’s given you in Romans - more than fellowship or feel-good speeches, more than money or religious position.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Titus 3:9-11)

What doctrine have we learned in Romans? Let’s review.

1. Chapters 1-3 teach that man is ungodly and is facing God’s wrath because of his sin. Does your church teach that man is basically good, or that God is love and wouldn’t judge anyone for sin?

2. Chapters 3-5 teach that we can be freely justified by trusting Christ’s death and resurrection as full payment for our sin. Do your friends say you must live a good life, repent of your sins, get water baptized, confess your sins, or whatever, in order to be justified by God?

3. Chapters 6-8 tell us how we can live above sin now, not by keeping the commandments, but by thinking in the Spirit. Does your pastor make you feel guilty if you do not live up to his standards or God’s laws? Does he imply that you may loose your salvation?

4. Chapters 9-11 show Israel’s past, present and future, and that we have not taken Israel’s place. Are you being taught that we are spiritual Israel and that all the Bible is talking about us?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, what does this verse say you should do? Let’s value truth and stand for it! (Gal 5:1; Eph 6:14) Don’t stay where you can’t “speak the truth in love”. (Eph 4:14,15) If you fellowship with error, you won’t be able to teach truth effectively. After all, if you don’t value truth, why should anyone listen to it from you? Also, bad doctrine rubs off. (Pr 19:27; I Cor 15:33) If you don’t stand for truth, you will eventually loose it.

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. (Read Phil 3:17-19)

Don’t fall for feel-good religion, or even fellowship with it. (II Cor 6:15-17)

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. (Obedience to what? To the doctrine Paul taught, Rom 6:17). 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. (It’s amazing that God will use us, Christ’s body, to fulfill the promise He made way back in Gen 3:15) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Romans 16:21-24 Here Paul lists the people with him who are sending greetings too.

21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

Paul dictated this letter to Tertius, and signed it at the beginning. Notice that each of Paul’s books start with his name. (II Thes 3:17) Apparently others did most of the physical writing for Paul, except for the book of Galatians. (Gal 6:11)

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16:25-27 Now one final and important statement.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

God stablishes people in 2 ways; by (1) hearing Paul’s gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the mystery, and by (2) reading the scriptures of the prophets.

Paul’s gospel and the mystery were not in scripture until Paul wrote about them. But today also we are edified by hearing good preaching and teaching about Paul’s gospel and the mystery.

What is Paul’s gospel? And how does it differ from the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew to John?

What is the mystery that was kept secret since the world began? Was Peter talking about the mystery in Acts 3:21?