Romans 16 - No Christian Serves in Obscurity!

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Personal Greetings

In this last chapter of Romans, Paul catalogues all of the various relationships he has from many his missionary journeys. He starts with Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church.  The word "deacon" can either be a formal title or role in the church, or someone who serves in various ways. Today many churches govern with an elder/deacon model of leadership. The relevance of this question is for a woman to have a title, or formal function in the church would she be overseeing any men. She was a woman of means, which allowed her to travel to Rome. 

Priscilla and Aquila were a couple who hosted a house church, and also helped Apollos in his ministry. Apollos was a major evangelist and in Acts 18:26, it says this couple explained the "Way of Christ" more adequately to them. They were one of the first missionary couples. 

There are greetings to several other people, many of whom we know little to nothing of their lives. But obviously they meant something to Paul, and they were influential in the early church. 

Here are some interesting notes I copied from the Enduring Word Commentary (David Guzik), which give history and background for some of the people mentioned. 

Epaenetus: This man is of note because he was apparently among the very first converts of Achaia (where Corinth was and where Paul wrote the letter to the Romans). Epaenetus was also apparently dear to Paul; beloved isn’t a term Paul used cheaply.

Andronicus and Junia: These were apparently Jews (my kinsmen) and were imprisoned for the sake of the gospel (my fellow prisoners). They were well regarded among the apostles, having become Christians even before Paul did (sometime in the first 3 or 4 years after Pentecost).

Of note among the apostles has the idea that Andronicus and Junia are apostles themselves (though not of the twelve), and notable among other apostles. If there ever were women recognized as apostles – in the sense of being special emissaries of God, not in the sense of being of the twelve – this is the strongest Scriptural evidence. It isn’t very strong.

Amplias: There is a tomb dating from the late first or early second century in the earliest Christian catacomb of Rome which bears the name AMPLIAS. Some suggest that this is the same person mentioned in Romans 16:8.

Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus: The fact that the household of Aristobulus is greeted but not Aristobulus himself made Spurgeon think that Aristobulus was not converted but many in his household were. It made Spurgeon think of the unconverted who live with believers in their house.

“Where are you, Aristobulus? That is not your name, perhaps, but your character is the same as that of this unregenerate Roman, whose family knew the Lord. I might speak in God’s name good words and comfortable words to your wife and to your children, but I could not so speak to you, Aristobulus! The Lord sends a message of grace to your dear child, to your beloved wife, but not to you; for you have not given your heart to him.” (Spurgeon)

Rufus: This may be the same man mentioned as a son of Simon the Cyrene in Mark 15:21. This is possible, but Rufus was a common name – so it may have been someone else.

Chosen in the Lord has the idea that Rufus had some eminence among the Christians of Rome. It doesn’t refer to his election in Jesus.

Nereus: In A.D. 95 two distinguished Romans were condemned for being Christians. The husband was executed and the wife was banished. The name of their chief servant was Nereus – this may be the same Nereus mentioned here and he may be the one who brought the gospel to them.

Asyncritus… Phlegon… Patrobas… Hermes: Of the rest of these names, Paul finds something wonderful to say about almost every one of them – noting their labor, his special regard for them (beloved), their standing in the Lord (approved in Christ… in the Lord… chosen in the Lord).

Lest we think Paul was overly stoic and unemotional he says to greet each other with a "holy kiss". This was a common greeting amongst friends in the 1st century. There are still cultures where this is practiced today, like in France. It is not sexual, but a sign of friendship. Notice it says a "holy" kiss.

Finally, Paul gives us warning to those who would cause division in the church. Paul tells the believers to stay away from them, and to watch out for their flattery and smooth tongues. Every prophet or teacher should always be evaluated by God's Word and their Christ like character not on merely on their charismatic personality.

As we conclude this great book of Romans, we are reminded of not only the great mind of Paul, but his great heart for people. Though he shouldered a big load in ministry, we see how many people he equipped for the work of the gospel. Though many of those may be unknown to us today, they received their reward in heaven when the Lord took them home!

Where are you serving in the church of Christ? Notice the many roles people played in the early church? No one person was more important than anyone else. Importantly they offered what they had for Paul and the apostles to use in obedience to God and in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Get Ready for 1 Corinthians!