As we come to the final chapter of Romans, I fear that we are tempted – perhaps more so than with almost any other chapter of the Bible – to just skip over Paul’s words as if they are unimportant. After all, having read about such wonderful things as the righteousness of God being revealed in Christ and justification by grace through faith and freedom from sin and condemnation and a glorious hope for the future, who would care about a few measly greetings?
I will answer this in two ways. First, it is our firm conviction that all Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16) – every word. That means that God ordained Romans 16 to be a part of our Scriptures as intentionally as he ordained Romans 3 to be a part of our Scriptures. The fact that all of Scripture is breathed out by God means that all of it is useful for teaching, preaching, rebuke, etc. We must be diligent to search the whole counsel of God. If God has seen fit to reveal it, then it is reasonable to think that he expects us to think on it and meditate on it.
Second, as we will see this morning, we ignore this chapter at our own peril. There is much in this chapter that we can learn from Paul. In many ways, he sums up a number of themes that have run through this letter to the Romans. In places, he gives new information regarding these themes. And in places, it seems that he merely reminds us of them so that we might leave this letter remembering the main points Paul has made.
So, with that in mind, it seems that Paul has three main purposes as he writes this final chapter of Romans. As we look at Paul’s purpose, it will become clear that there is a purpose in this passage for us as well.
The first – and most lengthy – section of Romans 16 consists of Paul sending greetings to his Roman readers, both from himself (v. 3-16) and from others with him (v. 21-23). Prior to these greetings, however, Paul writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchraea, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well” (v. 1-2). More than likely, Paul is commending Phoebe because she is the bearer of the letter to the Romans. In a preview of some themes which we are about to see in the greetings that follow, Paul exhorts the Romans to welcome Phoebe “in a way worthy of the saints.” It seems that in Paul’s mind there is a specific bond that should exist between saints that inevitably results in a particular level of generosity and hospitality toward one another. Paul expects that his Roman readers will meet Phoebe’s needs appropriately, and he vouches for her character by pointing out that she has made a habit of meeting the needs of others.
Having commended Phoebe, Paul proceeds to send greetings from 8 different people (himself included, v. 21-23) to no less than 26 individuals, 2 families and 3 house churches (v. 3-16). On a surface level, it is astounding that Paul would be acquainted with this many people in a church that he had never visited. If it shows us anything, it is that Paul was personally involved with the churches and fellow believers in his geographical area. In vs. 3-4, he states clearly that Prisca and Aquila “risked their necks” for him. In vs. 8-9, Paul calls both Ampliatus and Stachys “my beloved.” And he even goes so far as to say, in vs. 13, that Rufus’s mother had been a mother to him as well. These sorts of greetings indicate something deeper than a mere surface relationship. Paul did not consider himself isolated from the various churches and individual Christians that surrounded him. Rather, he considered himself one with them. He labored to know the people, and – as we saw last week – he labored to present them “acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (15:16).
But if we can move past the surface level of these greetings, there are at least two very instructive things that we can learn even from Paul’s greetings to the church in Rome. The first of these two things is the sheer diversity that we see in Paul’s greetings. In speaking of diversity, I am speaking of the diversity of the people that Paul greets. As you look at the list of people, the first thing you may notice (and perhaps a reason that this section would get such little attention) is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason in it. Paul’s greetings cross lines of gender, race and class. In gender, the list includes ample numbers of both men and women. In race, it is clear that some of those greeted are Jews (this is what is meant when Paul’s calls people his “kinsmen” in v. 7 and 11) while many others are Gentiles. In regards to class, the names of many of the people suggest that they were either currently slaves or had been slaves in the past while a few of the greetings indicate people of high social status. Paul greetings – which are indications of his love – show no preference based on these earthly dividing markers. If anything, the sheer disorderliness of this list should remind us that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him” (Rom. 10:12). It should remind us that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). It should remind us that the gospel of Christ knows no barriers when it comes to issues such as race, gender, class, profession or anything else.
But if this list shows us the diversity of the body of Christ, it also makes clear to us what unifies the body of Christ. If you read the list of greetings intently, in the midst of the diversity of the people greeted, you will see that what binds them all together with Paul is that they are brothers and sisters in Christ who are co-laborers with Paul for the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a detail that you cannot miss if you read closely. Prisca and Aquila were “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (v. 3). Epaenetus “was the first convert to Christ in Asia (v. 5). Mary “has worked hard for you [meaning the Roman Christians]” (v. 6). Urbanus is a “fellow worker in Christ” (v. 9). Apelles is “approved in Christ” (v. 10). Tryphaena and Tryphosa are “workers in the Lord” (v. 12). It is clear that the people whom Paul is greeting are devoted laborers for Christ. Piecing together this reality with the diversity we just mentioned, we see that Paul’s primary point in Romans 16 was to greet those whom he knew were faithful laborers with him in Christ. It is this that binds Paul’s heart together with the hearts of his readers. While there is no division within the body based on things such as race, gender and class, there should most certainly be a difference in the relationships between believers and non-believers. There is a fellowship and a closeness that should characterize those relationships that is present in no other relationships. Through the example of Paul, we see not only the diversity of the body of Christ but the unity of the body of Christ as well.
Having looked at this lengthy list of greetings in this way, it becomes quite a bit easier to see the way that this section of Scripture applies to us today. Like Paul, it is imperative that we understand our need to develop close relationships with our fellow believers. We certainly will not have the same level of intimacy with every other Christian, but it needs to happen with at least some people. We cannot say that we love Christ without also loving the people around us – genuinely, as we saw in chapter 12. And, just like Paul, we need to make sure those relationships are centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ and laboring to advance the kingdom of God. The centerpiece of our relationships should not be race or gender or class or intelligence but the presence of Christ and a heart that pursues him. Close relationships are imperative and they should center on Christ.
In the second section of our text this morning, Paul gives a very explicit warning to his readers. He writes, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (v. 17). It is interesting that after a lengthy section in which it is obvious that gender and race and class are not reasons for division in the church, Paul makes clear that there is a clear dividing line when it comes to those who are trying to cause unnecessary division. We cannot tell exactly what these individuals were doing, but Paul explicitly points out that they are causing divisions and creating obstacles contrary to the doctrine that Paul has taught. In short, these people are dividing the church with false teaching of some kind.
Paul is not hesitant in voicing his opinion about the way these false teachers should be handled. Paul tells his readers to “watch out” for them and to “avoid them.” Paul does not want the false teaching of these people to poison the faith of the Roman Christians, so he tells the Romans to ignore these people and to refuse to listen to them. The reason for Paul’s stern warning comes in verse 18: “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve” (v. 18). In this verse Paul reveals something about these false teachers – something that is instructive for us as well. These false teachers do not serve the Lord. Instead, they are serving themselves. That is, they are using their teaching to gain things for themselves rather than to build up the kingdom of God.
After warning his readers, Paul goes on to encourage the Romans in their faith. He writes, “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil” (v. 19). It seems that Paul brings up the obedience of the Romans as a way of reminding them that they are a light. People know of their faith. And while some – like Paul – rejoice at that faith, others – serving themselves and ultimately Satan – will seek to destroy it. Paul’s commendation of their obedience is also an inherent warning to the Romans to watch out for those who would seek to destroy their faith. Paul wants them to be “wise as to what is good.” That is, Paul wants them to grow in their knowledge of the truth so that they are not led astray by false teachers like the ones about whom Paul warned them. And alongside their wisdom, Paul wants them to “innocent as to what is evil.” Paul wants them to grow not only in their knowledge of the truth but in their application of it – so that they live holy and upright lives in which they are innocent as to what is evil.
And Paul closes this section of warning with a message of hope for his readers. He writes, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (v. 20). Paul closes this warning section by reminding his readers that there will come a day when Satan – and, by association, all of his followers (like these false teachers) – will be destroyed. This is a reminder given to the Romans so that they will persevere in faithfulness. The reason they can persevere is because they know that final and ultimate victory is coming. They have a hope that lies in the future and that hope should spur them on to faithfulness today. And more than being merely an emotional lift, Paul commends to them the grace of Jesus Christ. He reminds them that they are not left alone until the coming of that final day. Rather, they have been given grace to persevere until the end, and they have been told that Christ himself would be with them until the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).
This warning to Paul’s readers is one that easily applies to us today. Just like in Paul’s day, there are false teachers abounding in our world. They go about creating division and stirring up dissension. And just like Paul’s readers, we need to watch out for them and avoid them. They are not serving the Lord Jesus Christ; they are serving themselves and their own appetites. False teaching is not to be tolerated; it is to be addressed – no matter whether it comes from an angel (Gal. 1:8) or myself or any other pastor. False teaching is a serious matter.
But how can we know when such false teaching arises? The answer to that lies in Paul’s exhortation to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. We likewise should be wise about what is good. We should study the Scriptures diligently to make sure that we know them and understand them. We should study them together so that we might hold one another accountable regarding the things that Scripture reveals. And we should labor to live out the things that we know so that we might be innocent of what is evil. No doubt, false teaching can often times be unmasked by the things it causes people to do – if a belief inherently causes people to do evil things, that belief is evil and false. We have a responsibility to be on our guard in this way.
And like Paul’s readers, we should be encouraged by the hope of a future day of glory. At this moment, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God waiting for the day when all of his enemies will be put under his feet. That day will most assuredly happen, and when it does, the God of peace will crush Satan and all the rest of God’s enemies under our feet. The prophecy of Gen. 3:15 will be fully and finally realized and the Lord will reign forever over us as his people. This reality should give us hope and drive us to persevere.
The final section of this chapter and of Paul’s letter is – at heart – a doxology. In these final verses, Paul’s goal is to offer up praise and glory to God. If all of the qualifying clauses are removed, Paul’s simple statement in these verses is “Now to…God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen” (v. 25a-27b) In light of everything that Paul has written about, this is the response he finds most fitting. And in light of our walk through Romans over these last months, it is the proper response for us as well. Like Paul, we should praise and glorify our God in heaven.
Interestingly, as Paul is offering up praise to the Lord, he does it in such a way that two things are accomplished. First, in a very succinct way, Paul reminds his readers of the central theme of his letter. Second, by doing this, Paul uses this opportunity to praise and glorify God as a means of motivating his readers to do the same.
Paul takes this opportunity to remind his readers of glorious reality of the gospel. He reminds them first that God “is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” (v. 25a). Paul wants his readers to remember that God who has saved them is able to protect them and see them safely to the end through the power of the gospel. That is, as Paul says, the Romans will be strengthened and encouraged to persevere to the end by the preaching of the gospel about Jesus Christ. Here we are reminded that the gospel is central for every Christian and not just for those who need to become Christians. It is true that we are initially saved by grace through faith, but it is equally true that we persevere and are sanctified by grace through faith. We are ultimately glorified because Jesus Christ died and was raised and we have placed our faith in him. It is this message that will strengthen us and keep us until the end.
But how can we be sure of this? Paul goes on to remind his readers that the gospel of Jesus Christ was “according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations” (v. 25b-26a). We can be sure of the power and strength of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the fulfillment of the mystery that was laid out in the Old Testament. For thousands of years of Old Testament history, God’s people wondered how God was going to deal with the problem of sin. They recognized the fact that God could not overlook sin because he instituted the sacrificial system. They heard through numerous prophets the promises of a future king who would come and of a future kingdom that would fill the whole earth. And yet, even hearing all of that, they wondered about the way it would be fulfilled. It was a mystery. But Paul makes clear that with the coming of Jesus Christ, the mystery is resolved. Jesus is the one that was pointed to by the sacrificial system and by all of the prophets. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the temple and the priests. Jesus is the savior of the world. And now, according to Paul, this message has been disclosed for all the nations to know. The kingdom will fill the whole earth because the message will go to all people, and the message itself will “bring about the obedience of faith” (v. 26b). Paul wants to remind his readers of the gospel message that he has delivered to them.
And so, as we come to the end of Romans, it is fitting that we close on the glorious note of the gospel. For those of us who are believers, we are fittingly reminded at the end of this letter of the remarkable fact that God has made a way for us as wretched sinners to have everlasting life through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. We are reminded that because of Jesus Christ we are Abraham’s offspring. We are reminded that there is nothing that can condemn us (not Satan, or others, or our own conscience) because God has justified us. We are reminded that we are free from the dominating power of sin and free from the righteous requirement of the Law. We are reminded that we have the Spirit to enable us to put to death the deeds of the flesh. We are reminded that God has so arranged history that the gospel might go to all people – Jew and Gentile alike – so that God might receive the glory. And we are reminded that this news is meant to bring about obedience and a particular way of life for those of us who are servants of Jesus Christ. It is fitting that we are reminded of these things, and it is fitting that we close with communion because all of those blessings are secured for us in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth.
For those who are not believers, it is fitting that this letter closes on this note as well. If you read Romans and you miss this message, you have missed the entire point of the letter. Paul’s main message in Romans is that all human beings are sinful. This is not news to you; you know you are not perfect. But you may be surprised to know that such a reality means that God’s wrath burns against you because he is perfectly holy. You may be surprised to know that the answer is not to live as righteously as you can and hope that God overlooks your faults. God does not overlook faults. The answer is that Jesus Christ came and lived a perfect life and died on a cross – bearing God’s wrath – so that people could believe in him and have their sins taken away. You, by nature, stand before God guilty and condemned. If you die in that state, you will spend eternity in hell. But if you repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ, you will be declared not guilty and you will be justified. You will have eternal life with the Lord. This is the message of Romans to you. Amen.