Romans
Chapter 16
Overview
Paul closes his letter with a remarkable roll call of coworkers, friends, hosts, and trusted leaders in the community of Jesus. Many are women, immigrants, former prisoners, or members of households that met together for worship. These greetings show that the movement in Rome was not one large gathering but a network of smaller communities. Paul warmly commends Phoebe, honors those who have worked and suffered beside him, and then briefly warns against smooth talkers who create division. The chapter ends as it began: with ordinary people carrying an extraordinary message together.
1I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is also a servant of the community of believers in Cenchreae.
2Welcome her as someone who belongs to the Lord, in a way worthy of God’s people. Help her with anything she may need from you, because she has supported many people, including me.
3Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in serving Jesus the Messiah.
4They risked their own lives to save mine. I am not the only one who thanks them; all the communities of non-Jewish believers thank them too.
5Also greet the community that meets in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, the first person in the province of Asia to become a follower of the Messiah.
6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.
7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are highly respected among the apostles, and they became followers of the Messiah before I did.
8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend who belongs to the Lord.
9Greet Urbanus, our coworker in serving the Messiah, and my dear friend Stachys.
10Greet Apelles, whose faithfulness to the Messiah has been proven. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who belong to the Lord.
12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work hard in the Lord’s service. Greet dear Persis, who has worked very hard for the Lord.
13Greet Rufus, an outstanding follower of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me as well.
14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the other believers with them.
15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all God’s people with them.
16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the communities that belong to the Messiah send you their greetings.
17Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for people who create divisions and put obstacles in others’ way by opposing the teaching you learned. Keep away from them.
18Such people are not serving our Lord, the Messiah. They are serving their own appetites. With flattering words and pleasant talk, they deceive innocent people.
19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am delighted with you. Still, I want you to be wise about what is good and untouched by what is evil.
20The God who gives peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus the Messiah be with you.
21Timothy, my coworker, sends you his greetings. So do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you as a fellow follower of the Lord.
23Gaius, who is hosting me and the whole community of believers, sends you his greetings. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus also greet you.
24May the grace of our Lord Jesus the Messiah be with all of you. May it be so.