Romans for Youth
Commentary by Pastor Ron Beckham

Romans Chapter 16

Verse 1.  “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;”

Phoebe was probably the lady who carried this letter from Paul to the Roman Christians.  “Cenchrea” was the port city next to the larger city of Corinth, in Greece.  She was a worker in the church there.

Verse 2.  “that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”

Paul is saying to the Romans – “Treat Phoebe (verse 1) like you would treat me! She is a good woman. Give her anything she needs. She helped many people and she should be helped, too.”  Like Phoebe, WE should help people.

Verse 3.  “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,”

“Prisca” (Priscilla) and “Aquila” were wife and husband and they were tent makers.  Paul met them in the city of Corinth (Acts 18:2).  They taught a man named Apollos (Acts 18:24-26) and they had a church in their home when they lived in the city of Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:19).

Verse 4.  “who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;”

Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila were good friends of Paul and they actually risked their own lives for him.

Verse 5.  “also greet the church that is in their house.  Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.”

Priscilla (Prisca) and her husband, Aquila, had a church in their home when they lived in Ephesus.  When they moved to Rome, they again had a church in their house.  “Epaenetus” was a member of that church in Rome, and he was loved by Paul, who led him to the Lord.

Verse 6.  “Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.”

There are several women named “Mary” in the Bible, and this one, who lived in Rome, was a hard worker who helped other people.

Verse 7.  “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

“Andronicus” and “Junias” were Jews like Paul, and they had been in prison with him.  They received Christ as their Savior before Paul did, and he called them “apostles” (sent ones of Christ).

Verse 8.  “Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.”

“Ampliatus” was a Christian at Rome – Paul especially loved him and said in this letter to the Romans: Say “Hi” to him.

Verse 9.  “Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.”

Paul was a hard worker and to say “Urbanus” was his “fellow worker” was saying a lot.  And “Stachys” was his “beloved” – Paul cared a lot for him.

Verse 10.  “Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.”

The best thing in life is to be “approved” by Christ.  “Apelles” was “approved.”  It is also wonderful to lead others to Jesus, and everyone who lived in “Aristobulus’” house had come to the Lord.

Verse 11.  “Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.”

“Herodian,” like Paul, was a Jewish Christian.  All who lived in “Narcissus’” house (like “Aristobolus” in verse 10) had trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ.l

Verse 12.  “Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.”

“Tryphaena,” “Tryphosa” and “Persis” ALL had worked hard in service to the Lord.  Persis was an especially loving man.

Verse 13.  “Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.”

Paul was saying that Rufus was a “choice man,” a good man who helped others.  Rufus’ mother and Paul’s mother were in Rome, also.

Verse 14.  “Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.  Verse 15.  “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.”

Paul was saying “Hello” to other Christians who lived in Rome.  For the most part we know little about them, but God knows them, just as He knows you.  If you ever feel lonely, just remember that God is with you and He knows who you are.

Verse 16.  “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

Some Christians shake hands when they meet, others hug, and at that time, Christians would kiss one another on the sides of their faces when they met.

Verse 17.  “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

We all know people who argue a lot and upset others.  Stay away from them!

Verse 18.  “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”

People who argue a lot (verse 17) are not following the Lord Jesus Christ, who wants us to love one another.  Such people argue just because they want to.  But people like that can trick others into following them.  Don’t be fooled by them!

Verse 19.  “For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”

if you are a good person, others will hear about you.  Paul had heard about the Christians at Rome and hearing about them made him happy.  We are supposed to know what is good, and not even HEAR about the bad.

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

There is an enemy of God called “Satan,” and he is our enemy, too, but he will be defeated.  God will watch over you and keep you safe, when you trust in Jesus Christ.  “Grace” is a gift we don’t deserve, but we get it anyway.  Jesus is our Gift.

Verse 21.  “Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.”

“Timothy” was a younger man who traveled with Paul the Apostle and helped him. “Lucius” was a Christian from Cyrene (Acts 13:1).  “Sosipater” (Sopater) traveled with Paul (Acts 20:4).  “Lucius” and “Jason” were Jewish Christians and so was “Sosipater.”

Verse 22.  “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

“Tertius” was Paul’s secretary.  Paul told “Tertius” what to write, and he also let the man put his own name into this place, near the end of the letter to Rome.

Verse 23.  “Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.”

“Erastus” was an official in the City of Corinth, in Greece.  “Gaius” gave Paul a place to live, and he held church services in Gaius’ house.  “Quartus” was “the brother” – in other words, Paul KNEW this man trusted in the Lord.

Verse 24.  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

“Grace” is something done for us that we did not deserve.  Jesus gave us God’s grace by dying on the Cross to make us right with God.  We did not earn it, but He did it.  “Amen” is a Hebrew word that means “It is so.”

Verse 25.  “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,”

God can keep you safe through the gospel (good news) about Jesus Christ, who reveals (shows us) things, wonderful things that others do not understand.  He will help you.

Verse 26.  “but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;”

The Old Testament part of the Bible had a lot to say about Jesus Christ, but people have not understood.  The good news about Him has now been heard all over the world, and many DO understand.  The Bible helps us to have faith in God.

Verse 27.  “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”

Only God is truly wise, and if we need wisdom (we all do), we must go to Him through Jesus Christ.  God is wonderful and His glory lasts – forever.  We last forever with Him, when we trust in Jesus.  “Amen” (It is so).

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org