March 3, 2022
The Legacy You Leave Matters
Romans 16
Cotter Wilson
Central Truth
The way of Jesus is about seeking unity and peace as the family of God, despite the multitude of differences we share. Our lives should be marked by a love that is intentional and affectionate, while we hold fast to truth and shun evil.
Key Verse | Romans 16:17-18
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16
Personal Greetings
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant 1 16:1 Or deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert 2 16:5 Greek firstfruit to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, 3 16:7 Or Junias my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, 4 16:7 Or messengers and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers 5 16:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17 who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Final Instructions and Greetings
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, 6 16:18 Greek their own belly and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. 7 16:23 Some manuscripts insert verse 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
Doxology
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Romans 16
Wading through heavyweight theology and literary complexity can make it easy to reach the end of Romans and check out at the sight of a long greeting to a list of people's names you don't care the slightest about. But I urge you to slow down and take a moment to sit in the reality of this letter. Dismiss our American idea of the auditorium gathering for a moment and imagine a first-century house church, a group of people gathered around in a living room or kitchen table.
Paul addresses more than 26 people by name who would be on the receiving end of the letter, highlighting his pastoral intentionality. More importantly, this exemplifies the abundant diversity present among the people mentioned. There are Latin, Greek, and Jewish names; males and females; and almost certainly both slaves and free present at the hearing of this letter. Think of the ethnic, social, and gender tensions that must have been present! And yet it's in this setting that the beauty of the gospel is illuminated.
Diversity shaped the Roman house churches, but Paul highlighted and pursued unity amidst the diversity. He focused on the sibling relationship of those "in Christ" or "in the Lord," not by denying their outward differences but transcending them with the family of God. The interchangeable repetition of this phrase (10 times!) should remind us of the communal and familial reality of being in the family of God!
All of Paul's lived theology from chapter 12 up to this point is being brought to bear for these people. While our differences may vary from those of the Roman house churches, it should still influence our lives today. Paul's love, affection, and desire for so many believers are exemplified in his greetings and are great examples for us to consider. May our external differences and personal preferences apart from Christ be superseded by the siblinghood of the family of God and the unity we experience in Christ Jesus as we accept others in the same way He has accepted us (Romans 15:7).
Discussion Questions
1. Are you seeking unity among believers both inside and outside of the Watermark family? This is a great opportunity to remind yourself of the differences between essentials, convictions, and opinions in our faith, as grace and humility should mark our relationships.
2. Is there a person or group of people you need to seek forgiveness from or reconciliation with for trivial differences that divided your relationship in the past?
3. Reflect on relationships you have formed in the past. Have you been inclined to pursue only relationships with those who share the same social status and ethnic background as you? If so, why?
4. Is there anyone you need to lovingly admonish or distance yourself from for causing divisions contrary to the way of our Lord Christ?