返回Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Rom. 16:1. I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae.
The present epistle was delivered to the Romans by Phoebe. Therefore he also introduces her to them. He expresses his respect for her both by mentioning her in the first place, and by calling her a sister (this is a great dignity), and by indicating her office, naming her a deaconess.
Rom. 16:2. Receive her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints.
That is, show her honor for the Lord's sake. He who receives even an insignificant person for the Lord's sake shows honor to the Lord; and Phoebe was a saint: consequently, all the more was it fitting to show her honor. Therefore he added: "as befits the saints," that is, as one ought to receive the saints.
Rom. 16:2. "and help her in whatever matter she may have need of you,"
That is, supply what you can, lend a helping hand; for he did not say: satisfy all her needs.
Rom. 16:2. For she was a helper of many and of myself as well.
First he praised, then in the middle he placed the exhortation, and finally he again set down praise, surrounding his exhortation on both sides—to show her honor. For she, he says, was a helper to many, even to me myself, the universal preacher, who endured so many sufferings.
Rom. 16:3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
They, he says, helped me in word and teaching and shared with me labors and dangers. Some supposed that these co-workers were Paul's helpers in tent-making (Acts 18:3).
Rom. 16:4. (who laid down their own necks for my life,
They were perfect martyrs, for under Nero there were innumerable dangers.
Rom. 16:4. "whom not I alone thank, but also all the churches of the Gentiles),
Here he hints at their hospitality. And lest they think he speaks out of flattery, he presents many other witnesses as well.
Rom. 16:5. and their house church.
So virtuous were they that all their household members became believers, for he called them a church. He also called them this on account of their hospitality, for a house is called a church when exemplary piety and virtue are found in it. Let those leading a married life understand that the marital union is no hindrance to virtue for them.
Rom. 16:5. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia for Christ.
A great thing it is to be beloved of Paul, who knew how to love with discernment and not without reason. He calls Epaenetus a firstfruit either because he was the first to believe, becoming the beginning and the door to faith for all the people, or because he showed in himself greater piety, which is why it is said: "who is the firstfruit for Christ," that is, not in worldly things, but in that which pertains to Christ.
Rom. 16:6. Greet Mariam, who labored much for us.
He adorns a woman with labors for the truth. Mariam, he says, labored, kept vigil, and prayed not only for herself, but also, what is more important, fulfilled her duty even on behalf of us, the apostles. How then does he say, "but I do not permit a woman to teach" (1 Tim. 2:12)? He forbids her not from teaching by word, but from occupying a place of honor in the church and sitting on an elevated seat, while he very much approves of teaching at home. In this way a wife teaches her husband (1 Cor. 7:16) and children (1 Tim. 2:15); and Priscilla instructed Apollos in the faith (Acts 18:26). He did not say "she taught much," but "she labored much," in order to show that Mariam served by providing money and other means.
Rom. 16:7. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are distinguished among the Apostles and who believed in Christ even before me.
That they are kinsmen of Paul, this does not constitute as great a praise as the fact that they are fellow prisoners with him; for they suffered far more than any prisoner, being dragged from place to place and plundered. It is also significant to be an apostle, especially if one considers that Junia was a woman: all the more significant then to be notable among the apostles. And they were renowned for their deeds. Paul is not ashamed to say, "who were in Christ before me," counting it as praise for them that they went ahead and seized the good before him.
Rom. 16:8. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
If it is considered a great thing to be loved by a king, how much more glorious is it to be loved by Paul, who loves for the sake of virtue and for God?
Rom. 16:9. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ.
This praise is greater than the previous one; it is even the cause of it and contains it within itself: for whoever is a fellow worker is also beloved.
Rom. 16:9. Greet Stachys, my beloved.
And he crowns this one with the same.
Rom. 16:10. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
That is, blameless and irreproachable in all things, and some say that this is said in distinction from some other Apelles who was not deserving of approval.
Rom. 16:10. Greet the faithful of the household of Aristobulus.
These were probably not the same as the former ones, which is why he did not mention them by name.
Rom. 16:11. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
That is, the faithful.
Rom. 16:12. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord.
About Mariam he said above (Rom. 16:6): "who labored much," but about these he says that they are still laboring. It is great praise to always be at work and laboring.
Rom. 16:12. Greet Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
She is above the ones mentioned before her; because she not only labored much, but is also beloved. Thus he names each one according to their merit, encouraging some to greater zeal, and stirring others to emulation.
Rom. 16:13. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
A double good: both the son is blameless and the mother is irreproachable. For he would certainly not have said, "his mother and mine," if he did not attribute great virtue to this woman.
Rom. 16:14. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the other brothers with them.
Here do not look at the fact that he enumerates them without ascribing any praise to them, but at the fact that although they were far below everyone else, they nevertheless were deemed worthy of a greeting from the apostle. Or rather, he did ascribe praise to them as well, when he called them brethren.
Rom. 16:15. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Great praise he ascribes to these persons as well: for he called them saints.
Rom. 16:16. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Lest he give occasion for quarrels by greeting some in one way and others in another, speaking of some with greater and of others with lesser praise, he makes all equal through the holy kiss, so that neither the higher might despise the lower, nor the lower envy the higher; for the holy kiss brings peace to all and makes all equal.
Rom. 16:16. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Not only did he himself unite them, but he also sends them greetings from all the churches, so that they might be united; for he speaks of all in general, and not of this one or that one. And he expressed greetings to so many persons in this epistle, which he did not do in any other, because he had not yet seen the Romans. Since many of his kinsmen had found refuge in Rome, he worthily mentions them by name, introducing them to the Romans by means of the epistle.
Rom. 16:17. I implore you, brethren, watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the teaching which you have learned.
Again he offers an exhortation, and not as a counselor, but as a humble petitioner and with great respect for them, for he calls them brethren. Exposing the schemes of harmful people, he said "watch out for," that is, inquire about them with diligence. First he mentions divisions, and then offenses. For as long as unity is maintained in the body of the Church, offenses cannot enter. And the offenses are heresies, for he says, "contrary to the teaching which you have learned." He did not say "which we taught," but "which you have learned," forestalling them by this and showing that they were already persuaded and had received the teaching, and therefore ought to remain in what they had already received. Thus, divisions and offenses, or heresies, are introduced by those who teach doctrine contrary to the apostolic teaching.
Rom. 16:17. and turn away from them;
Rom. 16:18. Such people serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly.
Withdraw from them, he says. If they were doing this out of ignorance or error, they would need to be corrected. But since they sin deliberately, flee from them. He hints at the Jews, whom he customarily reproaches as gluttons; for such is their entire race. Furthermore, all heresies are born from the service of passions and the belly. How then are you not ashamed, being a brother of Christ, to make slaves of the belly your teachers? Note, moreover, that he who serves the belly does not serve Christ.
Rom. 16:18. Through flattery and fair speech (δια της χρηστολογίας και ευλογίας) they deceive the hearts of the simple.
They act deceitfully, he says, by means of flattery; for the expression "by flattery and fair speech" means: friendship on the tongue, but treachery in the heart. He did not say: they deceive you, but: "the hearts of the simple," that is, of the naive.
Rom. 16:19. Your obedience to the faith is known to all; therefore I rejoice over you.
They deceive, he said, the simple-hearted. But "your obedience," which comes from great meekness, is known to all: I alone do not bear witness to it, but the whole world. Therefore I rejoice for you, that you were not deceived.
Rom. 16:19. I want you to be wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
He hints at the fact that some of them also had been led astray. He clearly expresses the same thing that the Lord said: "be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). For he desires that they be "wise" or cautious "unto good," that is, in the matter of their own salvation and their own benefit, and "simple concerning evil," that is, in not doing harm to others, for the simple person causes no one harm.
Rom. 16:20. God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly.
Since there were disputes, he calls upon the Giver of peace to put an end to the divisions. He does not say "will subdue," but what is much stronger: "will crush," and will crush not only those who introduce divisions, but also their leader. He also offers comfort regarding the timing, for he added: shortly. The word "will crush" expresses both a prayer and a prophecy, because it stands in the future tense.
Rom. 16:20. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen.
He also reminded them of grace, so that, judging by what they had already received, they would become more zealous in believing with regard to the future as well; for if the Lord saved them at the time when they were enemies, how much more will He now crush Satan. Notice, then: the apostle separates neither deeds from prayer, nor prayer from deeds. First he testified of their obedience, and then he began to pray, by which he made it known that not only before, but also now, even if we are skilled, we have need of the grace of God.
Rom. 16:21. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you,
Timothy labored with him in the gospel; and to do the same thing that Paul did is great praise.
Rom. 16:21. Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
This Jason is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one who endured dangers most courageously (Acts 17:6). And they are kinsmen of the apostle not only according to the flesh, but also, what is far more important, according to piety; for if they had not been such, he would not have mentioned them.
Rom. 16:22. I greet you in the Lord, I too, Tertius, who wrote this epistle.
A great thing it is to be a scribe of Paul. And Tertius writes this not in order to praise himself, but in order to attract to himself the greater love of the Romans, as one who served in the writing of the epistle to them.
Rom. 16:23. Greetings to you from Gaius, my host and host of the whole church.
That is, the one who received me in his house. Furthermore, that Gaius received in his home the whole Church and Paul himself, this is great praise; for Paul would not have gone to him if he had not found him worthy.
Rom. 16:23. Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and brother Quartus.
The steward and treasurer of the city of Corinth. He mentions him so that you may learn that neither wealth nor rank serves as a hindrance to anyone in faith and righteous living.
Rom. 16:24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
At the beginning or foundation of his epistle he placed the following words: "grace to you and peace" (Rom. 1:7). And now, setting the boundary or end of the epistle, he concludes with the same, praying that the grace of God may always abide with all the Romans. This is the mark of a teacher—to help his disciples not only by word, but also by prayer; which is why the apostles also said: "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).
May grace preserve us as well, who do not hope to find a place of salvation through works, but place our entire hope in divine grace and mercy, and through it may we rise above the snares of Satan, crushing them under our feet in Christ Jesus, our Lord. To Whom be glory forever. Amen.
Rom. 16:1. I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae.
The present epistle was delivered to the Romans by Phoebe. Therefore he also introduces her to them. He expresses his respect for her both by mentioning her in the first place, and by calling her a sister (this is a great dignity), and by indicating her office, naming her a deaconess.
Rom. 16:2. Receive her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints.
That is, show her honor for the Lord's sake. He who receives even an insignificant person for the Lord's sake shows honor to the Lord; and Phoebe was a saint: consequently, all the more was it fitting to show her honor. Therefore he added: "as befits the saints," that is, as one ought to receive the saints.
Rom. 16:2. "and help her in whatever matter she may have need of you,"
That is, supply what you can, lend a helping hand; for he did not say: satisfy all her needs.
Rom. 16:2. For she was a helper of many and of myself as well.
First he praised, then in the middle he placed the exhortation, and finally he again set down praise, surrounding his exhortation on both sides—to show her honor. For she, he says, was a helper to many, even to me myself, the universal preacher, who endured so many sufferings.
Rom. 16:3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
They, he says, helped me in word and teaching and shared with me labors and dangers. Some supposed that these co-workers were Paul's helpers in tent-making (Acts 18:3).
Rom. 16:4. (who laid down their own necks for my life,
They were perfect martyrs, for under Nero there were innumerable dangers.
Rom. 16:4. "whom not I alone thank, but also all the churches of the Gentiles),
Here he hints at their hospitality. And lest they think he speaks out of flattery, he presents many other witnesses as well.
Rom. 16:5. and their house church.
So virtuous were they that all their household members became believers, for he called them a church. He also called them this on account of their hospitality, for a house is called a church when exemplary piety and virtue are found in it. Let those leading a married life understand that the marital union is no hindrance to virtue for them.
Rom. 16:5. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia for Christ.
A great thing it is to be beloved of Paul, who knew how to love with discernment and not without reason. He calls Epaenetus a firstfruit either because he was the first to believe, becoming the beginning and the door to faith for all the people, or because he showed in himself greater piety, which is why it is said: "who is the firstfruit for Christ," that is, not in worldly things, but in that which pertains to Christ.
Rom. 16:6. Greet Mariam, who labored much for us.
He adorns a woman with labors for the truth. Mariam, he says, labored, kept vigil, and prayed not only for herself, but also, what is more important, fulfilled her duty even on behalf of us, the apostles. How then does he say, "but I do not permit a woman to teach" (1 Tim. 2:12)? He forbids her not from teaching by word, but from occupying a place of honor in the church and sitting on an elevated seat, while he very much approves of teaching at home. In this way a wife teaches her husband (1 Cor. 7:16) and children (1 Tim. 2:15); and Priscilla instructed Apollos in the faith (Acts 18:26). He did not say "she taught much," but "she labored much," in order to show that Mariam served by providing money and other means.
Rom. 16:7. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are distinguished among the Apostles and who believed in Christ even before me.
That they are kinsmen of Paul, this does not constitute as great a praise as the fact that they are fellow prisoners with him; for they suffered far more than any prisoner, being dragged from place to place and plundered. It is also significant to be an apostle, especially if one considers that Junia was a woman: all the more significant then to be notable among the apostles. And they were renowned for their deeds. Paul is not ashamed to say, "who were in Christ before me," counting it as praise for them that they went ahead and seized the good before him.
Rom. 16:8. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
If it is considered a great thing to be loved by a king, how much more glorious is it to be loved by Paul, who loves for the sake of virtue and for God?
Rom. 16:9. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ.
This praise is greater than the previous one; it is even the cause of it and contains it within itself: for whoever is a fellow worker is also beloved.
Rom. 16:9. Greet Stachys, my beloved.
And he crowns this one with the same.
Rom. 16:10. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
That is, blameless and irreproachable in all things, and some say that this is said in distinction from some other Apelles who was not deserving of approval.
Rom. 16:10. Greet the faithful of the household of Aristobulus.
These were probably not the same as the former ones, which is why he did not mention them by name.
Rom. 16:11. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
That is, the faithful.
Rom. 16:12. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord.
About Mariam he said above (Rom. 16:6): "who labored much," but about these he says that they are still laboring. It is great praise to always be at work and laboring.
Rom. 16:12. Greet Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
She is above the ones mentioned before her; because she not only labored much, but is also beloved. Thus he names each one according to their merit, encouraging some to greater zeal, and stirring others to emulation.
Rom. 16:13. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
A double good: both the son is blameless and the mother is irreproachable. For he would certainly not have said, "his mother and mine," if he did not attribute great virtue to this woman.
Rom. 16:14. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the other brothers with them.
Here do not look at the fact that he enumerates them without ascribing any praise to them, but at the fact that although they were far below everyone else, they nevertheless were deemed worthy of a greeting from the apostle. Or rather, he did ascribe praise to them as well, when he called them brethren.
Rom. 16:15. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Great praise he ascribes to these persons as well: for he called them saints.
Rom. 16:16. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Lest he give occasion for quarrels by greeting some in one way and others in another, speaking of some with greater and of others with lesser praise, he makes all equal through the holy kiss, so that neither the higher might despise the lower, nor the lower envy the higher; for the holy kiss brings peace to all and makes all equal.
Rom. 16:16. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Not only did he himself unite them, but he also sends them greetings from all the churches, so that they might be united; for he speaks of all in general, and not of this one or that one. And he expressed greetings to so many persons in this epistle, which he did not do in any other, because he had not yet seen the Romans. Since many of his kinsmen had found refuge in Rome, he worthily mentions them by name, introducing them to the Romans by means of the epistle.
Rom. 16:17. I implore you, brethren, watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the teaching which you have learned.
Again he offers an exhortation, and not as a counselor, but as a humble petitioner and with great respect for them, for he calls them brethren. Exposing the schemes of harmful people, he said "watch out for," that is, inquire about them with diligence. First he mentions divisions, and then offenses. For as long as unity is maintained in the body of the Church, offenses cannot enter. And the offenses are heresies, for he says, "contrary to the teaching which you have learned." He did not say "which we taught," but "which you have learned," forestalling them by this and showing that they were already persuaded and had received the teaching, and therefore ought to remain in what they had already received. Thus, divisions and offenses, or heresies, are introduced by those who teach doctrine contrary to the apostolic teaching.
Rom. 16:17. and turn away from them;
Rom. 16:18. Such people serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly.
Withdraw from them, he says. If they were doing this out of ignorance or error, they would need to be corrected. But since they sin deliberately, flee from them. He hints at the Jews, whom he customarily reproaches as gluttons; for such is their entire race. Furthermore, all heresies are born from the service of passions and the belly. How then are you not ashamed, being a brother of Christ, to make slaves of the belly your teachers? Note, moreover, that he who serves the belly does not serve Christ.
Rom. 16:18. Through flattery and fair speech (δια της χρηστολογίας και ευλογίας) they deceive the hearts of the simple.
They act deceitfully, he says, by means of flattery; for the expression "by flattery and fair speech" means: friendship on the tongue, but treachery in the heart. He did not say: they deceive you, but: "the hearts of the simple," that is, of the naive.
Rom. 16:19. Your obedience to the faith is known to all; therefore I rejoice over you.
They deceive, he said, the simple-hearted. But "your obedience," which comes from great meekness, is known to all: I alone do not bear witness to it, but the whole world. Therefore I rejoice for you, that you were not deceived.
Rom. 16:19. I want you to be wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
He hints at the fact that some of them also had been led astray. He clearly expresses the same thing that the Lord said: "be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). For he desires that they be "wise" or cautious "unto good," that is, in the matter of their own salvation and their own benefit, and "simple concerning evil," that is, in not doing harm to others, for the simple person causes no one harm.
Rom. 16:20. God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly.
Since there were disputes, he calls upon the Giver of peace to put an end to the divisions. He does not say "will subdue," but what is much stronger: "will crush," and will crush not only those who introduce divisions, but also their leader. He also offers comfort regarding the timing, for he added: shortly. The word "will crush" expresses both a prayer and a prophecy, because it stands in the future tense.
Rom. 16:20. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen.
He also reminded them of grace, so that, judging by what they had already received, they would become more zealous in believing with regard to the future as well; for if the Lord saved them at the time when they were enemies, how much more will He now crush Satan. Notice, then: the apostle separates neither deeds from prayer, nor prayer from deeds. First he testified of their obedience, and then he began to pray, by which he made it known that not only before, but also now, even if we are skilled, we have need of the grace of God.
Rom. 16:21. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you,
Timothy labored with him in the gospel; and to do the same thing that Paul did is great praise.
Rom. 16:21. Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
This Jason is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one who endured dangers most courageously (Acts 17:6). And they are kinsmen of the apostle not only according to the flesh, but also, what is far more important, according to piety; for if they had not been such, he would not have mentioned them.
Rom. 16:22. I greet you in the Lord, I too, Tertius, who wrote this epistle.
A great thing it is to be a scribe of Paul. And Tertius writes this not in order to praise himself, but in order to attract to himself the greater love of the Romans, as one who served in the writing of the epistle to them.
Rom. 16:23. Greetings to you from Gaius, my host and host of the whole church.
That is, the one who received me in his house. Furthermore, that Gaius received in his home the whole Church and Paul himself, this is great praise; for Paul would not have gone to him if he had not found him worthy.
Rom. 16:23. Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and brother Quartus.
The steward and treasurer of the city of Corinth. He mentions him so that you may learn that neither wealth nor rank serves as a hindrance to anyone in faith and righteous living.
Rom. 16:24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
At the beginning or foundation of his epistle he placed the following words: "grace to you and peace" (Rom. 1:7). And now, setting the boundary or end of the epistle, he concludes with the same, praying that the grace of God may always abide with all the Romans. This is the mark of a teacher—to help his disciples not only by word, but also by prayer; which is why the apostles also said: "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).
May grace preserve us as well, who do not hope to find a place of salvation through works, but place our entire hope in divine grace and mercy, and through it may we rise above the snares of Satan, crushing them under our feet in Christ Jesus, our Lord. To Whom be glory forever. Amen.