16:1 I [Paul wrote Romans from Corinth at end of third missionary journey] commend to you our Phoebe [carried Paul’s letter to the saints at Rome], a [2] servant of the church in Cenchrea [the eastern port of Corinth (cf. Acts 18:18)].

16:2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been [3] a great help [may suggest Phoebe was a wealthy person] to many people, including me.

16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila [once again living in Rome], my fellow workers [Gr. sunergous a compound of sun (means “together” or “with”) and ergon (means “work”); Paul could not do all the work alone; Paul depended on others to help him establish and strengthen churches] in Christ Jesus.

Note: Priscilla and Aquila lived in…
• Rome Acts 18:2
• Corinth Acts 18:2
• Ephesus Acts 18:19
• Rome Romans 16:3

16:4 They risked their lives [they had made themselves vulnerable to death for Paul, perhaps during the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41)] for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

16:5 Greet also the church [word never refers to a building in NT but always to believers; there was more than one local church in Rome] that meets at their house [this couple used their home for ministry (Acts 18:3,26); an indication of their courage, their love for the lost, and their love for fellow believers]. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Note: How can families today use their homes for the Lord? What are some benefits families could realize by opening their homes for Christian ministry?

16:6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

16:8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

16:9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

16:10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

16:11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

16:12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

16:13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

16:15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

16:19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

16:20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

16:21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

16:22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

16:23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

16:24 [Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen]

16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

16:26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—

16:27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.