Bullet Point Bible

Commendation of Phoebe

¹ Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,² so that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and provide her with whatever help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many, including me.

Paul introduces Phoebe, likely the carrier of this letter to Rome.
Phoebe is described as a "servant" (Greek: *diakonos*), a term often translated as deacon, indicating a recognized ministry role.
Cenchreae was the eastern port city for Corinth, where Paul likely wrote Romans.
Paul requests the Roman church provide hospitality and support for Phoebe, reflecting the importance of mutual aid among early Christians.
The term "great help" (Greek: *prostatis*) can also mean patron or benefactor, suggesting Phoebe was a woman of some means who supported Paul and others.
This commendation highlights the significant roles women played in the early church's ministry and support networks.
Receiving her "in the Lord" emphasizes welcoming her as a fellow member of Christ's body.
The request to help her "in any way she may need" suggests she might have specific business or ministry tasks in Rome requiring assistance.

Greetings to Roman Christians

³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,⁴ who risked their own necks for my life. Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.⁵ Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.⁶ Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my good friend Stachys.¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.¹¹ Greet Herodion, my compatriot. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.¹² Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother who was also a mother to me.¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them.¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the believers who are with them.¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

This extensive list reveals Paul's personal connections with many individuals in a church he had not yet visited.
Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila were key ministry partners who hosted a house church (Romans 16:3-5); their mention first highlights their importance.
The list shows the diversity of the Roman church: Jews and Gentiles, men and women, possibly slaves and freedmen (indicated by household mentions).
Several women are commended for their hard work (Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis), underscoring female participation in ministry.
Andronicus and Junia are described as "prominent among the apostles." Whether Junia was a female apostle is a significant point of scholarly discussion. They were believers before Paul.
The mention of "house churches" (Romans 16:5, 14, 15) indicates the primary meeting places for early Christians before dedicated church buildings.
Epenetus is noted as the "first convert" in Asia, highlighting the beginnings of the Gentile mission there.
Rufus may be the son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21), suggesting connections between different gospel narratives and Paul's letters.
The "holy kiss" was a common expression of fellowship and familial love within the early Christian community.
Paul conveys greetings from "all the churches of Christ," emphasizing the unity and interconnectedness of the wider Christian movement.

Warning Against Divisive People

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!¹⁸ For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.¹⁹ Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.²⁰ The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Paul shifts abruptly from warm greetings to a stern warning, indicating the seriousness of the threat.
The core danger is division caused by teaching contrary to the apostolic doctrine the Romans had received (likely referring to the gospel Paul has expounded in this letter).
These divisive individuals are characterized by self-interest ("their own appetites") rather than service to Christ.
Their methods involve deception through persuasive but empty rhetoric ("smooth talk and flattery").
Paul contrasts the deceit of the false teachers with the commendable "obedience" of the Roman Christians (linking back to Romans 1:5).
He encourages discernment: "wise in what is good" (understanding and practicing truth) and "innocent in what is evil" (untouched by corruption).
The promise that God will "crush Satan" echoes Genesis 3:15 and assures ultimate victory over evil influencing the church.
This warning reinforces the importance of doctrinal purity and unity, key themes throughout Romans.
The placement of this warning near the end underscores its importance as a final exhortation.

Greetings from Paul's Companions

²¹ Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my compatriots.²² I, Tertius, who am writing 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.

This section lists greetings *from* those currently with Paul in Corinth.
Timothy, Paul's closest associate, is mentioned first.
Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater are identified as Paul's "relatives" (likely fellow Jews).
Tertius identifies himself as the amanuensis, the scribe who physically wrote the letter as Paul dictated it. This was a common practice.
Gaius is commended for his hospitality, possibly the same Gaius mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:14. Hosting "the whole church" suggests he hosted a large house church or provided significant support.
Erastus, the "city treasurer" (Greek: *oikonomos tes poleos*) of Corinth, indicates that people of significant social standing were part of the church.
Verse 24 is included in brackets by the NET translators because it is missing from many important early manuscripts and likely represents a later scribal addition, repeating the blessing from verse 20.
These greetings further illustrate the collaborative nature of Paul's ministry and the network of believers supporting his work.

Final Doxology

²⁵ Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that had been kept secret for long ages,²⁶ but now is disclosed, and through the prophetic scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faithâ€"²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever! Amen.

The letter concludes with a formal doxology, a hymn of praise to God.
It summarizes key themes of Romans: God's power to establish believers, the centrality of Paul's gospel and the message about Jesus Christ.
The gospel is described as the revelation of a "mystery"‚ God's long-hidden plan, now revealed.
This mystery involves the inclusion of the Gentiles ("all nations") in God's salvation plan, made known through prophetic writings.
The goal of this revelation is "the obedience of faith," a concept introduced in Romans 1:5 and central to Paul's understanding of salvation.
The doxology emphasizes God's eternal nature and wisdom.
All glory is directed to God *through* Jesus Christ, highlighting Christ's mediating role.
The final "Amen" affirms the truth and solemnity of the praise offered.
The placement of this doxology varies in ancient manuscripts (some place it after chapter 14 or 15), but its content provides a fitting theological capstone to the entire letter.

The Bullet Point Bible

Romans 16