Romans 16

I'm writing a series of articles on the book of Romans, which, as you know, is one of the more difficult and controversial books of the New Testament. This is not going to be a verse-by-verse analysis by any means, but I hope to write a lengthy article about each chapter of this sixteen chapter book. I hope that you find this helpful. This is the last article in the series.

Here we are, at last, in the sixteenth and final chapter of the book of Romans. This has been an exciting series of articles, and I have thoroughly enjoyed restudying the book.

The final chapter consists mostly of greetings and salutations. Paul tells the brethren in Rome to "Greet..." a number of individuals. Several of these names are familiar to us...Aquila and Priscilla, for example (vv. 3), but most of them are not. Many of these individuals apparently had worked with Paul in the past. Mary "labored much for" Paul while Urbanus was a "fellow worker in Christ" (vv. 9). On one occasion in this chapter, the apostle makes reference to a church that met in Aquila and Priscila's house (vv. 3-4). Needless to say, there were many active Christians in the area of Rome. These Christians were devoted to Christ. They didn't hesitate to help one another, and they worked together to further the cause of Christ in Rome!

There is one salutation in particular that I'd like to focus on at this time. In verses 1-2, Paul wrote, "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also." This is not so much a salutation as it is a commendation. Pheobe was not a resident of Rome, but of Cenchrea. It appears that she was traveling to Rome perhaps to help the churches there, or perhaps for personal reasons. In any case, she was going to be there and she was going to help the churches while she was there. She is called a servant of the church. The Greek word for servant is diakonos which, in other places, is translated deacon. Here's the question: is Paul saying that Pheobe was an official deacon of the church? No. Only men could serve as deacons of the church (see Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8-12). But certainly, Pheobe was a servant of the church. That is, she served the needs of her brethren and was active in many ways. This is a powerful lesson for women. Even though women cannot serve as elders, deacons or assembly preachers, they do have a very important role to fulfill.

As we move past the salutations and commendations, let's notice Romans 16:16-18: "Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." There are several points to make here:

1. First of all, they were told to greet one another with a "holy kiss." Many have wondered what Paul meant here. Actually, the holy kiss is mentioned in three other places (1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26). So what is it? And why don't we do it today? I don't know that I can give a definitive answer here, but I can give you my personal opinion as to what the holy kiss might have been: it was customary then, as it is today in many places in the world, to greet others with a kiss on the cheek. It might be tempting for some to use this as an opportunity to be inappropriate. Paul is simply reminding them to greet one another with an appropriate kiss...a holy kiss, if you will. We don't do this today because, in America, we don't greet one another with a kiss. This is a cultural thing.
2. Second, Paul makes reference to churches of Christ. This is why many churches today identify themselves as churches of Christ. Not only is it a scriptural designation, but it rightly honors Christ, the founder, owner and possessor of the church. In other places, Paul mentions the "church of God" (1 Cor. 1:2) and the "church of the Living God" (1 Tim. 3:15). All of these designations are scriptural.
3. Third, Paul urges the Roman brethren to note those who divide from the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 16:17). In other words, if someone came to them advocating anything foreign to the gospel of Christ, they were to note them and "avoid them."

In verse 19, Paul prays that the Christians in Rome will be "wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil." This is something that we all need to take to heart. I'm afraid that too often, we overcomplicate matters of morality. We debate where the line is and at what point something becomes sinful...and these debates are not wrong in and of themselves, but let's not make it more difficult than it needs to be. We should not be trying to justify carnality. Let's stay far away from sin and have a simple view of evil.

In the final verses of the book, Paul says, "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 kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith--to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." Paul here ties their salvation and faithfulness to the plan of redemption set in motion before the world began. In other words, God will guide us, through the holy scriptures, to be HIS people. Let us render obedience to this all-wise, all-powerful God!