A letter of commendation (2 Cor. 3:11Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1)) for a Christian woman of Cenchrea, the seaport of Corinth where the Apostle wrote the Epistle to the Romans, greets us at the beginning of the chapter. Phoebe was a servant of the church or assembly in Cenchrea; there is nothing to indicate that she was appointed to the position; the contrary would seem to be the case, from what is said about her. Men were appointed for service in connection with the assemblies, as in Acts 6:1-61And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1‑6), and in 1 Timothy 3:8-138Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8‑13) where they are called “deacons”, an English word made out of the Greek word diakonos elsewhere expressed in its meaning as “servant” (as here) or “minister”.
Phoebe’s place, self-chosen as we believe, was to help the saints, to minister to their needs; and the Apostle says of her.
“She hath been a succorer” (or helper) “of many, and of myself also.”
In the wisdom of God we are not told how she served, or helped; was it money she supplied? or clothing? or food and shelter? or some other form or forms of service? Eternity will reveal. Little did this lady think as she went about her work for His saints, that her name and service would be included in the Word of God; but no service for God will be forgotten in the day of reckoning now near at hand.
Phoebe is commended to the saints at Rome “that ye may receive her in the Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist” (literally, stand by and help) “her in whatever matter she has need of you” (N.T.). Their Christian character should be seen in their treatment of this visitor.
And should not all our ways and words, dear young Christian, be worthy of saints? The old nature within, and the enemy of our souls from without, would hinder us in every way possible, but we know to Whom we belong.
In this closing chapter, the Apostle, writing by inspiration, has on his heart in a special way the few believers whom he knows at Rome. Nothing like this is seen in other Epistles, because most of those to whom he wrote elsewhere were known to him; those local churches, or more correctly, assemblies, were fruits of his own work. This was not the case at Rome, for he had never been there.
Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned first. With them Paul abode during his long stay at Corinth (Acts 18:1-31After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. (Acts 18:1‑3)) and when he left there they went with him to Ephesus (versus 18-19). They were still at that place when he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians (chapter 16:19); and after their being in Rome again, we learn of them last with Timothy (2 Tim. 4:1919Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (2 Timothy 4:19)). Priscilla and Aquila—the wife perhaps mentioned before the husband here, as more actively devoted to the Lord’s service—are called “my helpers,” or more exactly “my fellow-workmen” in Christ Jesus; they had for Paul’s life risked their own necks under circumstances not given to us in the Scriptures.
To this Christian couple the Apostle is thankful, and not only he, but as he says, all the assemblies of the nations. This is true commendation, without flattery which ill-suits a Christian.
Next comes Epaenetus, “my beloved,” called “first fruits of” (not Achaia but) “Asia unto Christ.” Mary, or Maria, follows; she “labored much,” and the true reading is believed to be “for you,” not “for us.” Andronicus and Junia (Junias) kinsmen and fellow-prisoners or fellow-captives, because, like Paul, they had suffered imprisonment for Christ, “are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Thus the Apostle writes of two not mentioned elsewhere in the Word of God. Many far inferior to Paul would have left unsaid anything which might seem to diminish their own importance; but he had not thus learned Christ (Eph. 4:2020But ye have not so learned Christ; (Ephesians 4:20)).
The greetings or salutations that follow are brief but expressive. Amplias is “my beloved in the Lord;” Urbane (Arbanus) is “our helper,” or fellow-workman “in Christ,” and Stachys is “my beloved.” Apelles is “approved in Christ.” Two men are named without a word of greeting: Aristobulus and Narcissus; it is those who belong to them—in one case limited by “which are in the Lord”—to whom greeting is sent. Were they slaves or employees of unbelieving masters?
Tryphena and Tryphosa were women who “labor in the Lord,” and another is “Persis the beloved, who has labored much in the Lord” (N.T.). Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle unerringly wrote concerning each person, commending faithfulness, love to Christ, service for Him, where he could, and in due measure. The mother of Rufus (Rom. 16:1313Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. (Romans 16:13)) turns our thoughts to Mark 15:2121And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. (Mark 15:21); she had been a mother to Paul.
Evidently there was nothing to be said in commendation of those named in the 14th and 15th verses, for the Apostle is silent as to them. Compare this passage with Colossians 4:7-147All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:7‑14), noting the brief “and Demas” of the 14th verse, which suggests a reference to 2 Timothy 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10). However, we would not go beyond what the Scriptures reveal, in concluding that the saints named in verses 14 and 15 of our chapter were cold of heart; perhaps they only lacked opportunity for showing devotedness to Christ.
Verse 16. There are eleven references to kissing in the New Testament; three of them, Matt. 26:4949And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (Matthew 26:49); Mark 14:4545And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. (Mark 14:45), and Luke 22:4848But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48), speak of the betrayer Judas’ kisses in the garden of Gethsemane; one is of the woman that had been a sinner, kissing the feet of Jesus in the Pharisee’s house (Luke 7:3838And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (Luke 7:38)) another is the father’s action in receiving back his repentant son (Luke 15:2020And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)); the sixth is in Acts 20:36-3836And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. (Acts 20:36‑38), where the apostle bids farewell to the elders of the Ephesian assembly; the remaining five give direction for believers, as in verse 16 of our chapter. Together with the verse before us, 1 Cor. 16:2020All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20); 2 Cor. 13:1212Greet one another with an holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12), and 1 Thess. 5:2626Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. (1 Thessalonians 5:26) speak of a holy kiss, using the same word, holy, as is used for God the Father in John 17:1111And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11); for the Lord, as becoming man in Luke 1:3535And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35); for the Holy Spirit in almost every reference to Him; for the angels in Mark 8:3838Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38); for the Scriptures in Romans 1:22(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) (Romans 1:2); for the Christian’s calling in 2 Timothy 1:99Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9); for the practical daily life of believers in 1 Peter 1:1515But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (1 Peter 1:15); and for our eternal place and character in Ephesians 1:44According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4). The eleventh reference is 1 Peter 5:1414Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1 Peter 5:14), where a kiss of love is spoken of. In 16 of the Epistles, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, those to Timothy, Titus, Philemon, the Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, the three of John, and Jude, and in the Revelation, the token of family affection is not once named. In the light of these Scriptures and others which join them in directing the believer’s path in a dark and difficult day, verse 16 is, we believe, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, rightly viewed in a spiritual rather than a literal sense, between the sexes.
Verse 17: Already there was need for God’s saints at Rome to be on their guard against those who would “create divisions and occasions of falling” (stumbling blocks), contrary to the doctrine which they had learned. Alas, what proof we have had of the proneness of the human heart to do this very thing!
“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse” (perverted) “things to draw away the disciples after them.”
These men are to be considered, their true object learned, and themselves to be avoided. Obedience to the Scriptures, with wisdom from God as to that which is good, simplicity as to evil, is the way of safety (Rom. 16:1919For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:19)).
Thus we may become acquainted with and built up on the Word of God, and Satan with his wiles is defeated. The time for conflict to cease has not yet come, but “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:2020And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)). Meanwhile the Apostle’s prayer has its place: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Rom. 16:21-2421Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Romans 16:21‑24). Timothy and others, with Tertius, who did the writing at the Apostle’s dictation; Gaius, whose hospitality is spoken of; Erastus, the chamberlain or steward of the city; and the brother Quartus, add their salutations, and the Apostle again speaks of his fervent desire for the saints at Rome.
Rom. 16:25-2725Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. <<Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.>> (Romans 16:25‑27) form a post-script as inspired as the body of the epistle. They refer, in giving praise to God, to the revelation of the truth of the one body, the assembly or church, and the gathering together in one of all things under Christ. This was reserved in the main for the epistle to the Ephesians. It was outside of the scope of our epistle, in which the foundations are laid of the relations of man with God; always in Romans the Christian is looked at as in this world; justified, and having life in Christ, but not as risen in Him.