Now we come to chapter 16. And when we get to this chapter many times we treat it like the credits at the end of a movie. But as we close the book of Romans by going over chapter sixteen, we are not just seeing a list of names that we can’t pronounce or have any idea of their significance to the letter. We are seeing how the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation.
Romans 16:1-17
As we go over these names, there are at least three lessons we can learn about the power of the gospel.
- The Gospel has the power to bring in (1-15)
- 10 were women: Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junia, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus’ mother, Julia and Nereus’ sister.
- 5 were slaves: Ampliatus, Urbanus, Hermes, Philologus and Julia.
- 2 households were very influential: Aristobulus, great grandson of Herod and friend of the Emperor, and Narcisus, wealthy leader of Rome and secretary to Claudius.
- 3 were related to Paul: Andronicus & Junia, and Herodion.
- 2 were married couples: Priscilla and Aquilla and Andronicus and Junia
- 1 was famous: Rufus, the son of Simon of Cyrene.
- 1 was quite odd: Stachys – name means corncob.
- 2 were brother and sister in a royal home – Nereus and his sister, who is unnamed. Nereus was a chief servant in the home of an influential Roman couple who were condemned as Christians (Flavius Clemens and Domatilla).
- 8 were Paul’s traveling companions – Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.
- Techies can become friends with retirees.
- Hip-hoppers can hang out with country-western fans.
- Duke fans can pray with Carolina fans.
- Alabama fans can do ministry with LSU fans.
2. The gospel has the power to develop in the body.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16)
3. The gospel has the power to prepare people for work.
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Philologus, Julia, and Olympas, Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, Tertius, who wrote this letter, Gaius, Erastus, and our brother Quartus.
Before Paul closes the letter with a doxology, he leaves them with one last piece of instruction. Look at verses 17-20:
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 naïve. (Romans 16:17-18)
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. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Romans 16:19-20)
Paul says they are to avoid and .
Truth without unity leads to pride.
Unity without truth leads to presumption.
Truth with unity leads to peace and grace.
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 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 – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)
The gospel is always working in you as a believer to sustain you and to sanctify you until the day of Jesus.
The gospel is the only hope for humanity to transform lives from children of wrath to sons and daughters of God.
The gospel is the good news, that although we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death, the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord!