ROMANS, CHAPTER 16

 

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023

 INTRODUCING ROMANS, CHAPTER 16

Prior verses detailed Paul's plans to visit Rome and asked for prayer. This text concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with four quick sections. He sends his greetings to a list of people he knows, or at least knows of, in Rome. Paul offers last-minute instruction about false teachers. He sends greetings from those who are with him in Corinth. And he closes out the letter with a beautiful praise hymn to the God who has revealed the mystery of the gospel of Jesus to all nations so that all might obey faith in Jesus. (https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/16/Romans-chapter-16.html)

1)Personal Greetings, Part 1 (Verses 1-9), JEANNIE

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 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. Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 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. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What are some ways Paul described Phoebe? (V.1-2)

2. What was something very significant that Priscilla and Aquila did? (V.3) {Husband and wife missionary team.} 

2. Why do you think Paul described Andronicus and Junia as outstanding Apostles?  (V.7)

3. If Paul was mentioning YOU to one of the churches, what's one thing he might say to praise you? 

2), Personal Greetings, Part 2 (Verses 10-18), MAMA

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. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. 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. 

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What did Paul say about people who cause division? (V.17-18)

3)Personal Greetings, Part 3, (Verses 19-27), DESTINY

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. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen 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[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Who was Paul speaking of in verse 25?

2. How are the long-hidden revelations of mystery revealed? (V.26)

The mystery which was hidden for long ages? (Ephesians 4:6- One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.)


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IN CLOSING:

Matthew 24:24 (AMPC)

Acts 20:28-31 (AMPC)

Ephesians 4:14 (MSG)

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The progression of Romans.

Chapters 1-5

Chapter 1 sets the theme, the gospel of Christ.

Chapters 2-3 show why it is necessary. All men are unrighteous and condemned because they rejected God’s law as shown in nature, conscience, and His word. Instead they followed their own sinful desires.

Chapters 4-5 talk about true righteousness. It comes from Christ and is based on faith, not works. Our position is righteous before God.

Chapters 6-8 talk about this righteousness as it is lived out. We can be sanctified, not through the law, but through Christ’s power because He has set us free from sin. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Chapters 9-11 talk about God’s historical plan for salvation and how the Jews and Gentiles fit in that plan. We were chosen by God before the world began and it is completely God’s choice not ours. It is only God’s grace and sovereignty not our own goodness.

Chapters 12-15 again go back to living out righteousness. And in this section Paul lays out instructions for our behavior in many areas, giving many details and principles to follow. The areas include, ourselves, church, society, government, and brothers and sisters in Christ. In all of this Christ is our example.

Chapter 16 includes greetings and closing comments. (Source: https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/romans-studies/romans16/)

CONFESSION(S):

Praying through Romans 16:17

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word. I realise how easily division and disunity can infiltrate the Body of Christ. I pray that I would walk in spirit and truth and not allow myself to be drawn into any dissentious discussions with brothers and sisters in Christ, but quickly turn away from those that display any spirit of disunity and discord. I pray that I may grow in grace and keep the eyes of my heart on Jesus, and that you would give Church elders and leaders wisdom to identify and deal with any internal strife quickly and with wisdom, for Your greater glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/12)

Praying through Romans 16:19

Heavenly Father, keep me vigilant and circumspect in my Christian walk, knowing that there are many false teachers and deceptive doctrines that have infiltrated the churches, and which have caused many innocent believers to be deceived and defeated in their Christian walk. I pray that You would give me wisdom and discernment, concerning all that is good and wholesome, while being alert to the schemes of evil men, and the dangers of adopting a perverted gospel, that strays from the truth of God’s Word. I pray that I may be wise that which is good and display an innocence concerning things that are evil, and in Your power, may I live only for Christ, in Whose name I pray, AMEN. “For 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.”

Praying through Romans 16:20

Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, keep me from Satan's evil activities that are designed to shipwreck the faith in Your people, and keep me ever under Your sovereign authority, influence, and peace. Thank You that despite the enemy's deceit and trickery, Satan is a defeated enemy who has no authority over my life, because Christ won the battle at Calvary. Frustrate the wicked wiles of the devil, and expose those false teachers, who are leading so many of Your people astray. May the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, this day and forevermore, AMEN. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

(Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/16)


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