Romans 16:1-16 is the Apostle Paul’s “heart-felt greetings” to those in the church at Rome, who probably had been in Paul’s “revivals” at the many churches he founded, because Paul had never been to Rome, yet he was sending this very special epistle (formal letter) to them, by Phoebe, a “servant” or “female deacon” that served as an assistant to the ministers on church business and issues the church faced. Phoebe was Paul’s representative to the church at Rome.
Phoebe probably assisted the Apostle Paul in some of his missionary (Apostolic) work, for Paul knew the organizational skills and sweet spirit “Deacon Phoebe” possessed; likewise, by Paul greeting eight women in Romans 16, demonstrated how Christian women have filled most of the important functions in churches, as it has always been, for without Christian women to organize and move the churches forward, there would not be churches today, so always thank women for their “organizational and ministerial gifts God uses in His churches”, for God always saw the “best skills” in women for they never gave up, while men back off when things get severe, but not a woman, she finds a way in God to keep the church going strongly forward.
Romans 16 is absolutely amazing, for Paul first sends special Christian and personal greetings to those in the church at Rome he knew personally, and second Paul, in Romans 16:17-20, strongly warns the church at Rome to always be on guard, watching for those who cause harm to anyone in the church, for “deceptive, satanic ministers and teachers” creep into churches to spread satanic lies (Jude 1:3-4), so the lie sounds good and the truth sounds evil, which is the case in many churches today, where our precious children are “given to the world for entertainment instead of to the Holy Spirit to praise, thank, worship, and totally trust Christ Jesus (Matthew 18:6), and 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 say, 3 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Forming a friendly relationship with evil-minded people will soon turn Christian character into evil, satanic-controlled character, so always wisely and prayerfully choose close friends, for they will either help build and improve character, or they will disease and destroy good character, and remember, “character” proves who we are, and Christian character is what a Christian is and has in Christ Jesus, so always protect and keep character clean, pure, holy, and truthfully honest.
Before Paul, in Romans 16:21-23, stops dictating this epistle (formal letter) to Tertius, he, Timothy, and Gaius (to whom the Apostle John wrote his third formal letter (epistle), all sent their greetings to the church at Rome, showing they agreed with them and loved them.
Romans 16:25-27 is Paul’s benediction or personal blessing from God, through Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, which is spiritual wisdom for all to claim and experience.
Romans 16:25-27—25 Now all glory to God, who can make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed His plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so they too might believe and obey Him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
“Romans” is the most solid epistle (formal letter) written, for here we find solid theology (the study of God), and simple to understand teachings about God’s plan for daily living. So simple!
Jim Nabors
