Romans 16
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
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.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
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.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
Paul Had a Lot of Friends
They Were his Co-workers
Work-related language in Romans 16:
• v.3 – “co-workers” (Priscilla & Aquila)
• v.6 – “Mary, who worked very hard”
• v.9 – “Urbanus, our co-worker”
• v.12 – “Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis—who worked hard in the Lord”
2. They were his Co-sufferers
“They risked their lives for me.” (Romans 16:4)
“My fellow prisoners.” (Romans 16:7)
Scriptures on Sharing in Christ’s Suffering
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Romans 8:17 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
2 Timothy 2:3 – “Join with me in suffering,
1 Peter 4:13 – “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
2 Corinthians 1:5–7 – “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ…”
Colossians 1:24 – “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions…”
3. They were his family
Examples of familial language in Romans 16:
“Our sister Phoebe” (v.1) – not just a fellow believer, but a sister
“My dear friend Epenetus” (v.5)
“Greet Rufus and his mother, who has been a mother to me too” (v.13)
“My kinsmen Andronicus and Junia” (v.7) – possibly Jewish relatives, but certainly part of his spiritual family
“My beloved” or “dear friend” – used for multiple people: Ampliatus (v.8), Stachys (v.9), Persis (v.12)
“Brothers” and “sisters” (throughout Paul’s letters) – his default language for the church
4. This is a Beautifully Diverse Community
9 Women
5–7 people who were likely Slaves or Freedpeople: (Ampliatus, Urbanus, Hermes, Julia, Philologus, Quartus, etc.)
3–5 Wealthy/Influential people (Phoebe, Gaius, Erastus, Priscilla & Aquila)
Jews and Gentiles
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Verse 17 there is a shift.
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. 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. 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.
Closing: A Doxology, The Final Word Is Worship
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, 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— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Small Group Questions:
Read Romans 16
Why do you think Paul includes this long list of greetings? What does it reveal about his heart and the nature of gospel ministry?
Reread verses 3, 6, 9, and 12. What does it mean to be a co-worker in the gospel? How is this different from simply attending church?
Paul lived with many of these people (Acts 18:1–3, Romans 16:23). What does biblical hospitality look like, and how might you practice it this month?
Who are the people who would be on your list? People who have helped you follow Jesus?
Read Romans 16:25–27. What truth about God stands out to you in this doxology? Why do you think Paul ends with worship?
Wrap Up & Prayer
Take a moment to thank God for the people who’ve helped you follow Jesus. Encourage each other to live out the kind of gospel friendship and unity we see in Romans 16.