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A few thoughts on Romans 16:1-16: Greetings
Letter writing in the first century was formal and dealt with business in the beginning. It would then conclude with a few personal notes and final greetings. Romans 16 is Paul’s personal notes and final greetings.
The church in Rome, upon finishing the letter, would just now be reading about Paul’s commendation of Phoebe. Most likely it was Phoebe who hand delivered the letter to the church in Rome. Paul speaks affectionately and highly of Phoebe, a servant (diakonia) of the church in Cenchreae, a town that Paul, Prisca, and Aquilla had traveled to on mission. Paul expects the church in Rome to receive Phoebe as they would have received and treated him.
18 times Paul gives the imperative to “greet” someone or a group of people. What do you think it means to greet someone? How is it different than saying “tell so and so I said hello”?
Saying hello is to acknowledge someone in a friendly way. To greet in the Christian sense is to communicate key aspects of theology, ministry, and leadership. Greetings recognizes individuals and their contributions to the mission of the church. This greeting highlights the inclusiveness of the Gospel that brings men, women, Jews, Gentiles, slaves, and free together equally in the family of God. This greeting shows how the Church transcends geography and is interconnected throughout different regions. These greetings also encourage the faithful workers in the churches, that you are not alone and God is working.
What are some things that stand out to you about Paul’s greetings in Romans 16? What catches your eye or causes you to question?
Here are a few that stand out to me:
· Repetition: Greet – 18 times
· Familiar: Priscilla and Aquila – Acts 18:1-3, 18, 24-26
· Uniqueness: Epaenetus - First Convert in Asia, that’s really cool!
· Repetition: Work – 5 times 2 Greek Words (strenuous/hard work & together/partnership work)
· Repetition: Women – 9 times (4 women highlighted for their strenuous work in the ministry)
· Uniqueness: Rufus – chosen in the Lord – Mark 15:21
· Unfamiliar: Holy Kiss – a former student’s favorite verse while he was in youth group lol
Paul clearly loved the people who were in the church in Rome. This list points out those who have faithfully served alongside him and partnered with him for the spread of the Gospel throughout Rome. It is significant to see how endearing and empowering Paul is about women in ministry. Just a reminder that Christianity has always valued and respected women, their uniqueness, their importance, and their role in the ministry. Paul often gets mischaracterized by his statements in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. There is a lot to learn about how we understand the Bible and apply it to our modern context. Some important things to follow is that we honor God first in our approach to Scripture, we remain humble in our posture, we consider the context of the passages in question, and we allow all of Scripture to speak to any passage we are approaching. Trying to figure out Paul perfectly is a difficult task, but we can learn from this passage that we are to love the family of Christ and serve one another for the glory of God. And we are to greet one another with a holy kiss, well at least a friendly handshake lol.
A few thoughts on Romans 16:17-20: Charge.
Be Watchful
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Working with students I am reminded every year of learning to drive. Talking with students as they are going through their in-cars and studying for the driver’s test cause those memories to come flooding back. Everything seems so strange and overwhelming at first. Hands on the wheels, look ahead, look beside you, check your mirrors, check your speed, give it gas, hit the brakes, and use your signals. It’s a lot to take in, but soon it becomes second nature through practice and repetition.
That is Paul’s call to us in the Christian faith. Be watchful. It can be overwhelming at first, but the more you do it the more natural it becomes. Danger is all around, just like driving. You need to pay attention, always. See on coming traffic, watch the flow of traffic, know and check your blind spots. Just like there are bad drivers on the road, there are bad teachers in the churches. They teach things that sound good but are not true to the Scriptures and true doctrines. The naïve will be deceived, but the wise will recognize the false teaching.
Paul commanded us Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
James gives us some helpful ways to check our blind spots and recognize whether teachers and their teachings are from heaven or hell.
James 3:13–18
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
It’s a big deal because so many lack discernment and need wise Christians to help them avoid these traps. When you are obedient to God’s Word you will be a source of guidance to others.
Be Obedient
Faithful obedience to Jesus Christ will not go unnoticed. Obedience brings joy and refreshment to others. 3 John 4. Obedient faithful Christians seek to grow in wisdom of righteousness. They seek to be innocent to what is evil. Christians who understand the grace of Jesus and live obedient are not trying to sow their wild oats but are living in step with Jesus.
Be Hopeful
Hope is a confident expectation. Jesus won the victory on the cross, which Paul unpacked for us throughout the book of Romans. Now Paul reminds them that soon the decisive blow will be enacted upon Satan and peace will ultimately reign. Until then the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with us and will sustain us until he comes. Amen!
Practically speaking, when life’s circumstances seem overwhelming and our focus is on our struggles, it is hard to cling to this hope. However, if our focus is on God and his promises then this hope will shape the way we view our circumstances and struggles (Is. 26:3). When your circumstances is bigger than your view of God, you will be overwhelmed by them. However, when your view of God is bigger than your circumstances you will find strength and peace in the midst of the storm. God is bigger. God is present. God is victorious and so are you. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
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