1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 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. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
2 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.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ.
Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my countryman.
Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord.
Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
The churches of Christ greet you.
Introduction:
(WM) At first glance the closing chapter of Romans seems to be an uninteresting catalog of names that have little or no meaning for us today. However, upon closer study this neglected chapter yields many important lessons for the believer.
Who did Paul recommend to Roman believers?
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
2a that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints,
2b and assist her in whatever business she has need of you;
2c for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
What is the significance of Phoebe? and why Paul is recommending her to Roman believers/saints?
Phoebe is gentile and may be accepted Jesus during Paul's initial visit to Corinth:
(Warren Wiersbe) Cenchrea was a seaport of Corinth, so Phoebe was probably won to Christ during Paul's year and half of ministry in Corinth.
(Jon Courson) “Phebe” is another name for “Diana.” Evidently, Phebe was named after the goddess Diana—Corinth’s most famous deity.
If that be so, Phebe was not Jewish but was most likely a heathen Gentile who had been converted to Christ.
(David Guzik) This name is the feminine form of a title given to the pagan god Apollo, the title meaning “the bright one.” Christians, on their conversion, seemed to feel no need to change their names even if there was some pagan significance to their name.
Phoebe took this letter to Roman believers in Rome:
(WM) Whenever the early Christians traveled from one church to another, they carried letters of introduction. This was a real courtesy to the church being visited and a help to the visitor.
(Warren Wiersbe) He began with Phoebe, a member of the church at Cenchrea, and the lady who carried the letter to the saints at Rome. Never did a messenger carry a more important letter!
Phoebe is a Deaconess:
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
(Jon Courson) The word translated “servant” is literally diakonos, or “deaconess”, which indicates that women were in positions of ministry in the early church.
According to the writings of the church fathers, deaconesses visited the sick, helped young women grow in the Lord, and tended the poor.
How we need those who have a heart to be servants like Phebe—those who say, “Our call is to tend those who are sick, poor, and young in the Lord.”
(Warren Wiersbe) The word "servant" is the feminine of "deaconess" in the church. This is possible, because there were women in the early church who served by visiting the sick, assisting the young women, and helping the poor.
She is a helper to Paul and many others:
2c for indeed she has been a helper [KJV: succourer] of many and of myself also.
(Jon Courson) The word “succourer,” or “strengthener,” linguistically speaks of what a mother does as she tenderly nourishes her baby through breastfeeding.
(Warren Wiersbe) Paul confessed that Phoebe had been a helper (literally "protecteress") of himself and other Christians. And he encouraged the Church to care for her.
(WM) Perhaps she was the tireless sister who was forever showing hospitality to preachers and other believers in Cenchrea.
What was Paul doing in Romans 16:3-16 after recommending Phoebe to the saints/believers in Rome?
Looks like Paul was greeting many believers.
Romans 16:3-16.
3 Greet Priscilla and
Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
*5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
7 Greet Andronicus and
Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and
Stachys, my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ.
***Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my countryman.
***Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and
Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord.
Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and
**his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus,
Phlegon,
Hermas,
Patrobas,
Hermes, and
*the brethren who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus and
Julia,
Nereus and
**his sister, and
Olympas, and
*all the saints who are with them.
*16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
*The churches of Christ greet you.
Is Paul greeting all the saints/believers in Rome?
No, Paul didn't explicitly greet all the saints/believers in Rome saying "I greet you all" like how Tertus was greeting them:
Romans 16:22 - I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
Instead, Paul greets all of them with all the churches
Romans 16:16 - Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
How was Paul greeting the saints/believers in Rome in Romans 16:3-16?
In the verses Paul says
3a Greet Priscilla and Aquila.
5b Greet my beloved Epaenetus,
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
7a Greet Andronicus and Junia,
...
He is not greeting directly those saints saying I greet Priscilla and Aquila or I greet my beloved Epaenetus ...
He is asking to greet them. Let us see whom he is asking to greet.
To whom Paul has addressed this letter?
Paul has addressed this letter to saints/believers in Rome.
Romans 1:7 - To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
After Paul has recommended Phoebe to saints/believers in Rome and then he was asking believers in Rome to great list of notable/important believers in Christ
whom he know personally,
those who helped to him,
those who helped to build the churches in Rome,
those who serving in the churches in Rome.
Why was Paul asking saints/believers in Rome to great list of notable/important believers in Christ instead of greeting them himself?
Instead of greeting himself, Paul was encouraging saints/believers in Rome to great the list of notable/important believers in Christ.
By doing this way, many will greet personally those special notable/important saints/believers in Christ instead of just only Paul greeting them.
This also make the new believers to respect and establish relationship with those notable/important saints/believers in Christ.
This also motivate those notable/important saints/believers in Christ to do more for the God's kingdom.
This opens more opportunity to share their testimonies to all the believers.
If Paul would have not shared about Priscilla and Aquila in verse 4 that they risked their own necks and saved Paul's life then they might have kept quite or even if they would have shared then people might have thought that they are boasting or lying. Now they get very good opportunity to boldly share how they risked their own necks and saved Paul's life.
Do we do that today?
Yes, we do as a part of volunteers/employee appreciation.
When we introduce new volunteer or employee joins the ministry/team then the leader introduce the new person and ask all the team members to to greet the new person. By this way new person feel welcomed and all the members will introduced themselves personally and get to know each other.
How many notable/important believers in Christ that Paul was asking saints/believers in Rome to greet?
Paul asked them to greet
24 named notable/important believers in Christ
Two unnamed notable/important believers in Christ (prefixed as ** in the above listing, verses 13b, 15d)
Two house holds of named people (prefixed as *** in the above listing, verses 10b, 11b)
Five churches and others (prefixed as * in the above listing, verses 5, 14f, 15g, 16a, 16b)
(Warren Wiersbe) What a remarkable chapter! In it Paul greeted
at least twenty-six people by name,
as well as two unnamed saints; and
he also greeted several churches that were meeting in homes.
He closed with greetings from nine believers who were with him in Corinth when he wrote the letter.
(David Guzik) Of the 24 names here, 13 also appear in inscriptions or documents connected with the Emperor’s palace in Rome. We know that there were Christians among Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). Paul may be writing many of the servants who worked for Caesar who became Christians.
(Warren Wiersbe) How we wish we had the details of the stories behind each of these names!
Let us go through these names and learn from them with whatever we know about them.
Where did Paul meet Priscilla and Aquila?
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
(Warren Wiersbe) We have met Priscilla and Aquila in the Book of Acts (18:1-3, 18-19, 26).
At the time of this writing, they were in Rome and a church met in their house.
When did Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul?
4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
(Warren Wiersbe) Where and when they risked their lives for Paul, we do not know, but we are glad they did it! (see also 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19)
(WM) Priscilla and Aquila, who had been such valiant fellow workers of his in the service of Christ Jesus. How we can thank God for Christian couples who pour themselves out in sacrificial labor for the cause of Christ!
Why did the church meet in home?
5a Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
(WM) This means that an actual congregation of believers met in their house.
Church buildings were unknown until the late second century.
Earlier, when Priscilla and Aquila lived in Corinth, they had a church in their house also.
(Warren Wiersbe) In this chapter, Paul greeted a number of such assemblies (Rom. 16:10-11, 14-15).
Is it still happens now a days?
Yes, normally new churches start in home and when they out grow then they go to separate facility.
How many of these Paul called beloved?
(Warren Wiersbe) Four persons are called "beloved" by Paul:
Epenetus (Rom. 16:5),
Amplias (Rom.16:8),
Stachys (Rom. 16:9), and
Persis (Rom. 16:12).
Is there any significance about Epenetus?
5b Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
(WM) Epaenetus means "praise worthy." No doubt this first convert in the province of Achaia was true to his name. Paul speaks of him as my beloved.
(Warren Wiersbe) Paul would remember Epenetus in Particular, for he was the first of the converts in Asia. Apparently he belonged to the house hold of Stephanas, for in 1 Corinthians 16:15 these people are also called "the firstfruits of Achaia."
What significance does Mary has?
6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
Mary labored in the Lord for Paul and his company.
NIV: 1 Thes 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
(Jon Courson) The word “labour” is interesting. The same word is used in Luke 5:5 in reference to the fishermen who toiled all night. It embodies the idea of sweating. Thus, Mary bestowed much “sweat” upon them, if you would. That is, she gave of herself in a laboring type of ministry.
This intrigues me because six Marys are mentioned in the New Testament. When you think of Mary, you either think of Mary the mother of Jesus, or Mary of Bethany, who sat at the feet of Jesus while her sister Martha toiled in the kitchen (Luke 10:42). This Mary, however, is a worker. I wonder if this Mary ever thought, My name is Mary, and all these Marys before me were sensitive, “sitting at the feet” kind of ladies. But I’m a labourer. That’s just the way I am.
I find it’s truly a red-letter day in the walk of a believer when he sheds the self-imposed pressures or expectations of what he thinks he should be. Oftentimes, because we admire someone else and want to be like him or her, we put pressure on ourselves to be what we’re not. Great is the day when you realize, “Even though my name is Mary, I’m one who likes to roll up my sleeves. So I’m just going to be who I am.”
Mary’s name is recorded throughout history as one who was noteworthy because she did what she was made to do, regardless of what the other Marys before her did. And her example is a good one.
How many women were Paul mentioned here?
Paul mentioned 9 women in this passage.
They are Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, the mother of Rufus, Julia.
(David Guzik) Notice the women mentioned in this chapter: Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, the mother of Rufus, and Julia. These are women who worked for the Lord.
Even Persis is woman.
NIV: Romans 16:12 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.
(Newell) “Ministry in the Spirit by a woman is different altogether from her taking over authority, or infringing upon the order of the assembly of God.”
What significance does Andronicus and Junia has?
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen [KJV: kinsmen] and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
(Warren Wiersbe) Andronicus and Junia are called "kinsmen," which may mean blood relatives of Paul, or only that they too were Jewish, possibly of the tribe of Benjamin like Paul.
At one time they had been in prison with Paul.
Is Junia woman or man?
Andronicus and Junia was Paul's countrymen or kinsmen. So, we can say Junia is man. But name sounds like woman and the consensus among most modern New Testament scholars is that Junia was a woman.
The name Junia is a girl's name of Greek, Latin origin meaning "born in June". Junia and is often added to lists like Cool Girl.
Taken from https://nameberry.com/babyname/Junia
Are they apostles?
7b who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Paul refers Andronicus and Junia either as an apostle or as considered notable by the apostles.
Can a woman be an apostle?
Some has trouble considering woman as apostle but apostle now are missionaries which is in Latin form. There are many women missionaries are exist now. So, Junia can be women apostle/missionary at that time.
For more details about apostle read from Apostle article.
What does apostle means?
... What is the modern name for apostle?
(Warren Wiersbe) Missionary is the Latin form of "apostle—one who is sent."
They are definitely not The Apostles i.e. The Twelve Apostles.
(David Guzik) 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.
(Warren Wiersbe) The word "apostle" here does not imply that they held the same office as Paul, but rather that they were "messengers" of the Lord. The word "apostle" has both a narrow and a broad meaning.
(Jon Courson) Bible students, this is an important verse because it is a key to understanding the apostolic ministry. There are those who say there are only eleven apostles—twelve if Paul is included in the position vacated by Judas—and that there are no apostles in the church today.
On one hand, I agree with them. On the other hand, I disagree. That is, if they’re speaking of apostles that were appointed by Jesus Christ, I agree that there were only twelve, for such apostles had to have seen Jesus visibly. They had to have a firsthand knowledge of His ministry; and their ministries had to be confirmed with observable signs and wonders that validated their apostolic ministry.
But there are two other categories of apostles, each linked with the other two Persons of the Trinity. The Father sent out one Apostle: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1). The Spirit sent out many apostles—Andronicus, Junia, Titus, Timothy, Barnabas, and a host of others called apostles in Scripture (Acts 13:2). Therefore, in my opinion, the apostolic ministry continues today in those who are sent out by the Spirit, those who feel called in their hearts to go forth. Missionaries could be more accurately called apostles. The problem with the term “apostle” arises only from a misunderstanding of the word.
What significance does Amplias has?
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
He is beloved as we have seen earlier.
(David Guzik) 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.
What significance does Urbanus and Stachys has?
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
We do no know much about them expect what Paul says here
Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and
Stachys, Paul's beloved
What significance does Apelles has?
10a Greet Apelles, approved in Christ.
What does "approved in Christ" mean?
(Jon Courson) How can we be approved in Christ? You’re doing it! By studying the Scriptures, you are showing yourself as being approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
What significance does Aristobulus has?
10b Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
(David Guzik) 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.
(Spurgeon) “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.”
Some may think Aristobulus may be dead and so Paul was asking to greet households.
(Jon Courson) Historians tell us Aristobulus was the grandson of Herod the Great—the one who tried to annihilate Jesus by slaughtering all Jewish males under two years of age. Herod was the one who killed his sons and murdered his wife, butchering anyone who was a threat to his power. Yet here was his grandson, numbered among the household of faith.
Who is Herodion? Is he related to Paul?
11a Greet Herodion, my countryman.
(Jon Courson) Following verse 10 as it does, and “Herodion” being a derivative of “Herod,” this verse could indicate that Paul himself was related to Herod. If this is true, the implications are intriguing. You who are students of Paul know he was a driven man. Before his conversion, he said, “I was a Pharisee of Pharisees. Concerning the law, I was blameless” (see Philippians 3:6). Vehement in his zeal to stand up for the laws of Judaism, he became enraged when he felt Judaism was threatened by a new group called Christians.
What made him so zealous for righteousness? Could it be that he was embarrassed to be linked to this butcher, this half-Jew/half-Idumean named Herod—the despised, despicable despot who left a bad taste in the mouth of every Jew in Israel? I think it’s a very real possibility. And if that be so, I think Paul models for us the way we’re to react or respond to family members.
You see, Paul didn’t say, “I’m dysfunctional.” He didn’t say, “I need to join Herodions Anonymous.” He didn’t say, “I need therapy because I’m related to Herod.” No, he took off in the opposite direction, saying, “Herod was a murderer, a blasphemer, a loser. I am going to strive to keep the law and live for God.” And even though Paul was initially misdirected in his zeal, God saw his heart and corrected him on the road to Damascus.
I believe in this time in which we live—when everyone is claiming they have problems because of ancestors—we see in Paul a refreshingly wonderful, practical model. “This one thing I do,” he said, “forgetting the things which lie behind, I press on toward the high mark of the calling of Christ” (see Philippians 3:13). Everyone has pain in their past. The key is to move on.
What significance does Narcissus has?
11b Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Like Aristobulus, Paul is asking believers in Rome to greet Narcissus households.
Here Narcissus may be dead and so Paul was asking to greet their households.
How many of these labored in the Lord? Why they have labored in the Lord?
12a Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord.
12b Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.
Three in this list are labored in the Lord.
(Jon Courson) Tryphena and Tryphosa are sisters whose names mean “Dainty” and “Delicate.” Notice, however, like Mary in verse 6, they laboured in the Lord. Thus, even Dainty and Delicate rolled up their sleeves for the kingdom.
(Spurgeon) Notice their work for the Lord: some, like Tryphena and Tryphosa, labored in the Lord. Others, like Persis, labored much for the Lord. “So there are distinctions and degrees in honor among believers, and these are graduated by the scale of service done. It is an honor to labor for Christ, it is a still greater honor to labor much. If, then, any, in joining the Christian church, desire place or position, honor or respect, the way to it is this – labor, and labor much.”
(Jon Courson) Persis being a feminine name, Paul is speaking of yet another woman who put her all into serving the Lord. Compare his use of “the beloved” here in verse 12 with his use of “my beloved” in verses 8 and 9. Stachys and Amplias, the subjects of verses 8 and 9, were males. I believe Paul’s use of the possessive pronoun only with men models an important principle of ministry. That is, he was very careful to relate to his brothers in a different way than he did to his sisters. Some might call this legalism or chauvinism. I call it wisdom.
Who is Rufus? and What is notable about him?
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
(David Guzik) 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.
What does mother and mine mean?
(Warren Wiersbe) Paul and Rufus were not related. "His mother and mine" means only that Rufus' mother had been like a mother to Paul (see Mark 10:30).
NLT: Romans 16:13 - Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.
In response to Rich young ruler:
NLT: Mark 10:30 - 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
To whom this portion of this letter is most significant?
This portion of this letter is most significant to those believers whose names are written in this greeting list
What might have done to them when they read this portion of this letter?
Edified/encouraged them.
What is the significance of this passage Romans 16:1-16?
(Warren Wiersbe) It shows that
Paul was a friend maker as well as a soul winner.
He did not try to live an isolated life; he had friends in the Lord, and
he appreciated them.
They were a help to him personally and to his ministry.
In my own reading of Christian biography, I have discovered that the servants whom God has used the most were people who could make friends. They multiplied themselves in the lives of their friends and associates in the ministry. While there may be a place for the secluded saint who lives alone with God, it is my conviction that most of us need each other. We are sheep, and sheep flock together.
Application:
Are you so meticulous in your writing?
Are you appreciating them in writing or directly face to face?
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 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. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 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 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
18 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.
19 For your obedience has become known to all.
Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you.
Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 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
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Whom was Paul asking believers in Rome to note and avoid?
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Paul is asking believers in Rome to note/identify those who do the following deeds and avoid that.
Note those who cause divisions
(David Guzik) those who would divide God’s people (cause divisions)
Those who spoil the unity or harmony.
Note those who cause offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned
What does "offenses, contrary to the doctrine" mean?
It means
those who "put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned" as interpreted in NIV:
NIV: 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.
those who "upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught" as interpreted in NLT:
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
(David Guzik) those who would deceive God’s people (offenses . . . contrary to the doctrine you have learned)
Those who spoil the truth by teaching wrong doctrine. Who are false teachers/prophets.
What are they really do?
They deceive immature believers by teaching wrong theology and bring division (saying I belong to Paul or I belong to Apollos as in 1 Cor 3:4) among the congregations in the church.
1 Cor 3:4 - 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
They make them to take the eyes away from Jesus.
Heb 12:1-2 - 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
They make them to do works to please God instead of approach God by faith:
Heb 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
They are really touching the unity and truth ie faith in Jesus or the gospel.
What happens when "truth without unity" and "unity without truth"?
(David Guzik) This is essential to God’s purpose for the church.
Truth without unity leads to pride;
unity without truth leads to a departure from the true gospel itself.
Each of these must be guarded against.
(Newell) “Mad dogs are shot; infectious diseases are quarantined; but evil teachers who would divide to their destruction and draw away the saints with teaching contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles are everywhere tolerated!”
How to note/identify them?
Does their teaching confirm to the overall counsel of God (the word of God or the Bible)?
(Jon Courson) Many “Lord Jesus Christs” are being taught—the Lord Jesus of the Mormons, of the Jehovah’s Witness, of the Modernist, of the New Ager. But they’re not our Lord Jesus.
2 Cor 11:13-15 - 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Learn the truth to identify the counterfeit: Know the Gospel clearly. When you know that it is true then you know why it is called the Good News:
Eph 2:8 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Romans 1:17 - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Romans 3:20-21 - 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
NIV: Romans 3:22 - This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
Faith in Jesus is the only way to be get saved. It is not new it is from the beginning i.e from Adam:
Romans 4:2,3 - 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Example:
To get saved we need to keep the law of Moses and the circumcision:
Is this true? or right teaching?
No.
Some immature Jews believers are forcing Gentile Christians to do circumcision and keep the law to get saved:
Acts 15:10 - 1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Recently I come up with one person he said that if you are a Christian then you have to heal those who are sick by prayer.
Is it right teaching or not?
It is not right teaching because healing is the gift of the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 12:7-10 - 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Not every Christian gets the gift of healing.
Can believers desire for specific gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Bible says believers can desire for spiritual gifts
1 Cor 124:31 - But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Cor 14:1 - Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
But God gives/bestows that gift or Holy Spirit determines whom to give this gift
1 Cor 12:11 - But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Cor 12:30 - 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Look for their character, intensions or motivation.
Whom are they serving? or Are you building their own kingdom?
18a For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and
(David Guzik) Do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly: Dividers and deceivers never want to appear selfish. Typically they perceive themselves as noble crusaders for a great cause. Nevertheless, however they may appear on the outside, their motives are essentially selfish and fleshly.
(Matthew Harmon) Gospel-Centered Churches Recognize False Teaching/Teachers (Titus 1:10-13)
When doctors are in medical school, part of their training involves diagnosing illnesses by the symptoms that present themselves. In the same way, Paul provides us with some diagnostic tools to recognize false teaching. He instructs us to observe their character (insubordinate, empty talkers, deceivers, etc.), their tactics (upsetting whole families, playing to the culture), and their motivation (shameful gain).
Titus 1:10-16 - 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
Do they produce good fruit?
Matt 7:15-20 - 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Do they speak badly, use bad words or rudely to deceive the believers?
18b by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
No, by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the believers.
(David Guzik) By smooth words and flattering speech deceive: The warning is necessary because these dividers and deceivers do not announce themselves. They use smooth words and flattering speech and always target the simple – usually those who are young in the faith.
Deceive the hearts of the simple: This shows that dividers and deceivers don’t affect everyone. We must not wait until everyone is scattered or deceived until we are concerned with dividers and deceivers.
(Warren Wiersbe) Not everyone was working with Paul for the spreading of the Gospel. Thee were some who, for selfish reasons, were dividing the churches by teaching false doctrine. These people were probably the same Judaizers who had given Paul trouble in other churches (see Phil. 3:17-21). Instead of preaching the truth, these men spread their own religious propaganda, using deceit and clever speeches. We have the same problem today, and Christians must beware of false teaches.
(Warren Wiersbe) They come to your front door with magazines, books, and tapes, trying to convince you that they are teaching the truth. Paul gives two instructions: mark them (identify them), and avoid them.
What does Paul mean when he says avoid them?
Avoiding them means
keep away from them:
NIV: 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.
stay away from them:
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
Is avoiding them means hating them?
No, but it means hating their deeds such as teaching, ideas, jokes, ...
Rev 2:6 - But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
How to avoid them?
Never listen to them even to please them
Titus 1:14 - not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
Never spend time with them.
We need to first please God by have continually faith in Jesus:
Gal 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Roman believers are doing this:
19a For your obedience has become known to all.
(David Guzik) Your obedience has become known to all: This means that when it comes to dividers and deceivers, it isn’t that the Romans must correct a bad situation. They are already dealing with these situations well, and Paul is glad about it. Yet they must remain diligent against the attacks of the dividers and the deceivers.
(Warren Wiersbe) It is a matter of obedience to the Lord and the testimony to others. The issue is not making or keeping friends, but pleasing the Lord and maintaining a consistent testimony.
Don't waste your time give opportunity to teach you or preach to you:
Leave the matter to God He will deal with them:
Rom 12:19 - Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Matt 7:19-20 - 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Paul is reminding them to keep focusing on the truth and leave the evil thing to God:
19b Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
(David Guzik) Be wise in what is good: This is the best defense against dividers and deceivers. It is of far more use to know the good than it is to know the evil, to learn about the genuine rather than the counterfeit.
(Jon Courson) The word “simple” does not mean “dumb.” It means “sincere.” What’s being said here is that there are sincere people who are being deceived by those who preach another Jesus Christ. Therefore, in your sincerity to want to learn more about the Lord or to be students of the Word, don’t allow those who teach a different Jesus to come into your home. Don’t engage in discussions with them. Don’t spend time arguing with them. Mark them and avoid them. Why? I offer two reasons.…
One reason is protection. Satan is clever. And many a believer who thought he was strong in theology has succumbed to those who are inspired satanically.
The second reason is prioritization. Invest your energy in the fields that are already white and ready for harvest (John 4:35), in the lives of those who are already open to the gospel.
Rebuke them if God leads.
In letter to Titus Paul asks to rebuke them:
Titus 1:13 - 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
(Matthew Harmon) Gospel-Centered Churches Rebuke False Teaching/Teachers (Titus 1:13-14)
When Paul says “Rebuke them sharply” he uses a play on words with the false teachers’ promotion of circumcision. In effect Paul says something like, “Use the sharp knife of correction with those who wield the dull blade of circumcision.” Paul is not advocating legal action, nor is he promoting a witch hunt. But false teaching is so dangerous that it requires corrective action. The goal of that corrective action is “so that they may be sound in the faith” (1:13). The word translated “sound” can also mean healthy. True spiritual health comes from the gospel, not false teaching.
Expose their intentions to others as if it happens to your child or your sibling.
Is it ok to put-up with them?
Nope, if we put-up with them without avoiding ore exposing them then we are sinning with them.
2 John 1:10-11 - 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
How the Bible warns those false teachers or those who put stumbling block to believer's spiritual growth?
Yes, it is. Even Jesus points out how serious this is
NIV: Luke 17:1-2 - 1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
James 3:1 - My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Matt 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Are these false teachers or deceivers who causes division by anyway influenced by Satan?
Yes, they are influenced by Satan. Satan uses these sort of people to deceive the sincere and true believers.
(Warren Wiersbe) Romans 16:20 suggests that these false teachers really come from Satan, and one day even he shall be completely defeated.
What will God do to Satan on their behalf?
20a And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
What does "crush Satan under your feet" mean?
God will command Satan not to disturb those believers in Christ and God will bring all those people who were influenced by Satan, to submit to the believers in Christ.
Rev 3:9 - Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Ps 23:5 - 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
NLT: Job 42:7-11 - 7 After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!
Without the permission of God Satan cannot touch any believer. We can clearly see in Job 1. God permitted Satan's request to touch Job.
Job 1:6-12 - 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Why God allow Satan to interfere in believers life?
Because Jesus wants to demonstrate that God has judged Satan on the Cross.
John 16: 8,11 - 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
By this way believers in Christ will know that Satan has no authority to touch them.
Col 2:15 - Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
What will the believers in Christ need to do when they identify that this trials/persecution is due to Satan?
Resist Him and he will flee from you:
1 Peter 5:8,9 - 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
James 4:7 - Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Pray about this to God and ask Him to deliver from this situation/circumstance/trial/persecution.
Eph 6:18 - praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
Jesus prayed for Peter when He find out Satan will swift Peter like weed.
(Jon Courson) Remain naive concerning evil and watch how God will stomp Satan under you through the peace you have in your heart, the peace that flows from your lips, the peace seen on your face.
(WM) In this way, the God who is the source of peace would give them a swift victory over Satan.
The apostle's characteristic benediction wishes all needed enablement for the saints as they journey toward glory.
While praying
Either ask God to rebuke Satan:
Jude 9 - Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Or rebuke Satan if God leads you to do so
Acts 13:10,11 - 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Acts 16:-18 - 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.
God will work on our behalf:
(David Guzik) The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly: Any church with the well-deserved reputation of the Romans, who stays on guard against both dividers and deceivers, will see God crush Satan under your feet shortly.
We see that God does the crushing, but Satan ends up under the feet of believers.
Is this interference of Satan will come to an end?
Yes, but not now. It will not be stopped permanently till our life on earth.
Satan will look for another opportunity to touch us
Luke 4:13 -Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Satan has scheme/plan to deceive the believers and make them to stumble and sin:
Eph 6:11 - 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
When this interference of Satan will come to an end?
Interference of Satan will come to an end when Satan was thrown into the bottomless pit and finally in lake of fire or Hell.
During the middle of Great Tribulation Satan will be totally denied access to heaven:
Rev 12:9 - 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Because of this he tries to wipe out Israelites and believers and wipeout all believers in Christ:
Rev 13:7 - 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
At the time of Second coming of Jesus Christ Satan will be bound and thrown into the bottomless pit or Abyss
Rev 20:1-3 - 1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
After 1000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ Satan will thrown into the lake of fire i.e. Hell.
Rev 20:7-10 - 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
So, whenever God allows Satan to interfere in our life when we pray and ask God to deliver us from this trouble God will crush Satan and and his followers.
Jesus Christ faced this issue and He overcame the world. So, we can also overcome the world by the blood of the lamb.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Rev 12:11 - 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
1 John 2:13,14 - 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
Rev 2:7 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
Through this process we will develop the genuine faith and eventually understand the greatness of God and surrender our life to Him and depend on Him.
Is this portion of letter (verses 17-20) written by Paul himself in his own hand writing?
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 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. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Since this is very important so, it is possible Paul might have written this in his own hand writing as a signature with his usual benediction message in verse 20b.
20b The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(Morris) Now I urge you, brethren: The tone here suggests how important this was to Paul; “It may well be that Paul took the pen and wrote these words himself . . . It is quite possible that Paul wrote these words, then passed the pen back to Tertius for a postscript. Something unusual happened at the end of this letter, and this is a very possible understanding of it.”
Whom all are greeting with Paul?
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
(Warren Wiersbe) What a roll call of heroes! Timothy was mentioned often in the Book of Acts and the Epistles. He was Paul's "son in the faith" and labored with Paul in many difficult places (see Phil. 2:19-24).
Lucius was a fellow Jew, as were Jason and Sosipater. We have no proof that this is the same Jason who protected Paul in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). That Jason was probably a Gentile.
Who was greeting next?
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
Is it not Paul wrote this letter to believers in Rome?
Yes.
Why Tertius says that he wrote this letter/epistle to the believers in Rome?
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
Paul dictated this letter to Tertius.
(Warren Wiersbe) Teritus was the secretary who wrote the letter as Paul dictated it.
(WM) Tertius was the one to whom Paul had dictated this epistle. He takes the liberty of adding his personal well-wishes to the readers.
(David Guzik) Tertius was Paul’s writer as the apostle dictated the letter. This was Paul’s normal practice in writing letters to churches, but this is the only letter where Paul’s secretary is mentioned by name.
Whom all are greeting with Tertius?
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you.
Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
(Warren Wiersbe) Gaius was the man in whose home Paul was residing at Corinth. First Corinthians 1:14 told how Gaius to Christ and baptized him when he founded the church in Corinth. Apparently there was an assembly of believers meeting in his house. Erastus held a high office in the city, probably the treasurer. The Gospel reached into high places in Corinth as well as into low places (1 Cor. 1;26-31; 6:9-11).
(WM) There are at least four men by the name of Gaius in the NT. This is probably the same one spoken of in 1 Corinthians 1:14. He was noted for his hospitality, not only to Paul but to any Christians who needed it.
Erastus was treasurer of the city of Corinth. But was he the same person mentioned in Acts 19:22 and/or 2 Timothy 4:20? We cannot be sure.
Quartus is mentioned simply as a brother, but after all, what an honor, what a dignity!
Application:
(Jon Courson) Tertius was Paul’s secretary, to whom Paul dictated this Epistle. His name means “Third.” The last name in verse 23 is Quartus, whose name means “Fourth.” These guys were slaves. In those days, slaves were referred to only by number. Consequently, it’s interesting that these two, who were considered unworthy of names, became historically and eternally significant because they were brought into the kingdom.
So, too, you might feel like a number, like no one cares about you, like no one takes notice of you. But the Lord has a plan for you. He’s got your number. And as you give yourself to Him and walk with Him, you’ll find significance. Ask Tertius and Quartus!
Why Romans 16:20b and 16:24 says "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you"?
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
There are many different school of thought we have
Personally I believe that Paul personally autographed with personal important message in V17-20 with his usual benediction and this verse may be written by Tertius as dictated by Paul.
For more details read Is this portion of letter (verses 17-20) written by Paul himself in his own hand writing?
(Warren Wiersbe) Romans 16:24 was probably written by Paul's own hand, since this was his "official seal" in every letter (see 2 Thes 3:17-18).
(Warren Wiersbe) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all is Paul's typical closing benediction. It is the same as V20b with the addition of all. As a matter of fact, in most manuscripts of Romans, this is the last verse, and the doxology in vv. 25-27 comes after Chapter 14. The Alexandrian (NU) text omits v20. Both the benediction and the doxology are beautiful ways to end the book. And both end with Amen.
(Jon Courson) Paul gives his usual closing as he writes, “The grace of the Lord be with you.” But wait. There are three more verses. What’s going on? At this point, Paul does what he frequently was inclined to do. He grabbed the pen himself and “autographed” this letter with the final three verses.
How Paul closed this letter with benediction?
25 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
26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Map the Passage:
25 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
26 but now has been made manifest,
and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith--
27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Who is able to establish the believers in Christ?
25a Now to Him who is able to establish you
God is able to establish us.
In what basis God will establish believers in Christ?
25b according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
25c according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26a but now has been made manifest,
26b and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
Why God establishes believers in Christ?
26c for obedience to the faith--
Why Paul listed above works of God in believers life?
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you
27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
To glorify God. God alone is wise and all glory goes to Him
(WM) God alone is the source and display of pure wisdom, and to Him belongs glory through Jesus Christ, our Mediator, forever.
And so end Paul's magnificent Epistle. How indebted we are to the Lord for it! And how poor we would be without it! Amen.
What it means that God establish us according the gospel?
What it means that God establish us according to the revealed mystery?
(WM) The Epistle closes with a doxology. It is addressed to the God who is able to make His people stand firm in accordance with the gospel which Paul preached and which he calls my gospel. There is only one way of salvation, of course; but it was entrusted to him as "the Apostle to the Gentiles", whereas Peter, for example, preached it to the Jews. It is the public heralding of the message about Jesus Christ concerning the revelation of a marvelous truth kept secret since the world began. A mystery, in the NT is a truth which human intellect could never discover, but one which has now been made known.
What was the mystery kept secret and now revealed?
25c according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26a but now has been made manifest,
(WM) The particular mystery spoken of here is the truth that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are made fellow heirs, fellow partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:6).
It now has been made manifest by the writing of the prophets - not the prophets of the OT but those of the NT period. It was unknown in the OT Scriptures but has seen revealed in the prophetic scriptures of the NT (see Eph. 2:20; 3:5).
It is the gospel message which God has commanded to be made known to all nations in order that people might obey the faith and be saved.
26b and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,
(Warren Wiersbe) The closing benediction is the longest one Paul ever wrote. It reflects his special ministry to the Gentiles. "The mystery" has to do with God's program of uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in the one body, the church (see Eph. 3). This was Paul's special message. It was because of this message that the Judaizers persecuted Paul, because they wanted to maintain Jewish privileges. Both Jews and Gentiles in the Roman churches needed to know what God's program was. Some of this Paul had explained in Romans 9-11.
Christians are established by the truth, which explains why Paul wrote this letter: to explain God's plan of salvation to Christians so they would be established, and so they would share the truth with the lost. After all, we do not have ourselves.
This means that our won study of Romans should make us more stable in the faith, and more excited to share Christ with others. And the result: "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever!"
Mystery revealed to Paul that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.
1 For this reason
I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles--
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men,
as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given,
that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
What does "obedience to the faith" mean?
(David Guzik)
Now to Him who is able: With all the dangers facing the Romans – and every church – Paul fittingly concludes by commending them to Him who is able to establish you. Paul also knows that this will be done according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.
According to the revelation of the mystery: Paul means this as the whole plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Though God announced much of the plan previously through prophecy, its final outworking wasn’t evident until revealed by God through Jesus.
Now that the mystery has been revealed through the preaching of the gospel, God calls all nations to obedience to the faith.
To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever: In this conclusion Paul reflects on the wisdom of God’s plan in the gospel and the fact that such wisdom is beyond man. God had a plan no man would come up with, but the wisdom and glory of the plan is evident.
If there is anything that the Book of Romans explains from beginning to end, it is the greatness and glory of this plan of God that Paul preached as a gospel – as good news. It’s entirely fitting that Paul concludes this letter praising the God of such a gospel.
The good news Paul preached presented the God who chose to glorify Himself through the person and work of Jesus Christ, and who will glorify Himself that way forever. Amen!
(Jon Courson)
Romans 16:25 (a) Now…
Here Paul takes the pen and writes himself. He makes mention of this practice in 2 Thessalonians 3:17. We see it was Paul’s custom, after closing his dictation, to grab the pen and add a final thought or two before signing the letter.…
Romans 16:25 (b) …to him that is of power to stablish you…
Not infrequently I have been asked about Applegate Christian Fellowship’s follow-up program for the numbers of folks who are saved and baptized each week. “We don’t have a follow-up program,” I would say. “We have a follow up Person—the One who is able to stabilize, establish, and steady us.”
Romans 16:25 (c) …according to my gospel…
On the basis of this verse, some say Paul had a unique gospel, different from the one Peter or John preached. But such is not the case.
In John 20, Mary said, “They’ve taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve laid Him.”
Also in John 20, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”
So, too, Paul says, “my gospel” because the gospel had not only impacted him theologically—he claimed it personally.
Romans 16:25 (d) - 27
The word translated, “mystery” is the Greek word musterion. It doesn’t mean that which can’t be figured out, but rather that which was previously hidden.
Musterion is like the car commercials in which the new model is covered with a sheet or canvas. You can see the shape of it, but not the details. The engineer knows what’s underneath the canvas. The designer already knows the shape of the car. But the car remains hidden to the rest of us. So, too, the mystery of which Paul spoke was hidden until the right moment. What is the mystery? It begins to unfold in Romans 11:25, where Paul uses the word musterion for the first time in regard to the mystery that Gentiles would be brought into the kingdom. “Gentiles in the kingdom?” the Jew would say. “That’s a mystery!”
But the mystery continues, for in Ephesians 3:2–6, musterion appears again. Not only would the Gentile be brought into the kingdom, but Gentiles would be incorporated into a brand-new entity called the church, the body of Christ. No more would there be a differentiation between Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and freemen (1 Corinthians 12:13). This was revolutionary.
But it is the third appearance of the word sterion that touches the heart of the mystery, for it is there Paul writes of the mystery of “Christ in you—the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:25–27). It’s not a program given to us, not rules and regulations laid on us, not expectations placed before us, but rather Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Folks, it’s not religions, not programs, not twelve-stepping, not trying harder, not getting it together, not follow-up materials that are needed. What’s needed is Christ living in us. A lot of people think Christianity involves some rules, some regulations, a standard, a code to live by, and some activities to take part in. Nothing could be further from the truth because Jesus did not come to make bad people good, nor to make good people better. He came to make dead men alive by living in them.
The last time musterion is found is in 1 Timothy 3:16, where Paul says, • God was manifest in the flesh when Jesus came as the Babe of Bethlehem; • He was justified in the Spirit when the Spirit came upon Him at His baptism; • He was seen of angels when they ministered to Him in the wilderness after He had been tempted for forty days; • He was preached unto the nations when He healed and ministered not to the Jews only, but to the Gentiles; • He was believed on in the world when multitudes gathered around Him; • And He was received unto glory when He rose from the dead.
“Great is this mystery,” said Paul, “that Jesus, who was victorious over the Enemy, who never succumbed to any temptation personally, who was justified by the Father as the voice from heaven rang out audibly, and yet is One who can relate to you and me personally. This same Jesus was received up into glory and returned to us through His Spirit.”
This means that when my kids are tempted to do something they ought not do, or when I plunge into something I shouldn’t, even at the very time of the temptation, sin, or difficulty, we will be exceedingly uncomfortable because Jesus is in us.
Gang, He is faithful to establish you, your kids, your friends, your neighbors, those who have been baptized Sunday after Sunday—anyone who comes to Him. Great is the mystery!
Without the mystery of godliness, man is sentenced either to despair as he worries about whether his friends and loved ones will live right—or to legalized religion as he sets up rules and regulations to ensure the people he loves won’t stray.
But if we understand the mystery of Christ dying for us, living within us, relating to us, we can be sure we’ll make it. So will our children, our neighbors, and all who are recipients of the mystery.
“This is the mystery,” said Paul. “Jesus will establish you because He lives in you.”
What wonderful comfort.