Text: Romans 16:17-23 (ESV)

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

BE WATCHFUL, WISE, AND INNOCENT

After completing his list of greetings, he jumps back into some last-minute important instructions. These three instructions start with an urgent warning against divisions between believers. Paul is deeply concerned that all those who are in Christ should remain united. He expresses harsh language against those people who would cause divisions, especially those who do so by false teaching.

Like the Romans, we should watch out for anyone who joins us but begins to teach ideas that are different than what we’ve been taught in the Scriptures. These warnings are not new to Paul, who also in dire terms expresses in his other writings, like Gal 1:8–9 and 1 Tim 6:3–4. These divisive people might not have infiltrated the church in Rome yet. Indeed, prevention is much better than cure. His prescription is simple, that is, avoid them, shun them, and mute them. Don't give them a chance to make the case for their distorted version of truth. They do not in any way serve Christ. Instead, they serve their own appetites. Sadly, by smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

Paul then acknowledges their stellar attitude of obedience. A cause for Paul’s rejoicing. Yet, they must be wise. They must recognize false teaching when it comes their way. He wants them to know the truth so thoroughly that they immediately recognize lying distortions of it.

He wants also to be "innocent [about] what is evil." The word in original Greek here is akeraios, which can also mean "unmixed, pure, or simple." Impliedly, he wants them to continue to avoid shady sinful practices in order not to be tainted or scarred by participating in them. Did not Jesus say, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Mat 10:16).

The Christian life isn’t to isolate and shut out ourselves from others. It is to insulate in order to shine for others. Compromise will diminish our luster as light and effectivity as salt in this earth. It pays to remain faithful. Why? The God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet. In other words, the work of Satan among them will ultimately fail and God will prevail through His people.

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Text: Romans 16:5-16 ESV

5 Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.

11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.

12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

-Rom 16:5-16 ESV

ALL THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST GREET YOU.

Most of the names mentioned by Paul here aren’t familiar to us but they were very special to him and his team. I have the chance to visit Mt Soledad Veterans Memorial Park lately. There were old visitors who I believed were veterans. I see the pictures of military men and women at the walls. But, unlike these veterans, the inscribed names has a minimal effect or impact to me, who had not been in the war trenches. Nevertheless, as believers in Christ, we are united for we believe and sacrifice in the same gospel message, are we not?

Notedly, these names at one degree or another, had labored and sacrificed for Christ and the gospel. Paul hasn’t visited and hasn’t seen them personally yet he has had this affinity to them. We do really love those who love the Lord, don’t we? Paul exhorted them to greet one another with a holy kiss. There is no pretentious attitude to the truly children of God.[John 13:35]

Paul summed it up by his general greeting, ‘All the churches greet you’. For indeed, the unity of the churches then were real. As years gone by, the devil has successfully diluted the church so that not everyone who carries the name of Christ is true anymore.

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Text: Romans 16:3-5 ESV

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.

5 Greet also the church in their house.

-Rom 16:3-5 ESV

PRISCILLA AND AQUILA, THE FAITHFUL COUPLE

These husband and wife tandem are Paul’s fellow workers in Christ Jesus. From Acts 18:1–3, we learn how Paul first met them in Corinth and worked with them for a time in the trade of making tents. Soon, the pair came to Christ and worked with him in ministry. They lived in Italy, but they were forced to leave and went to Corinth when the emperor Claudius decreed that all the Jews out of Rome.

Both accompanied Paul to Ephesus, where he left them to establish a church meeting in their large home (Acts 18:18–19; 1 Cor 16:19). They didn’t miss the chance to offer their home and resources for the ministry. Paul eventually returned to Ephesus and served with them there for quite a while.

Apparently, both are knowledgeable in the things of God yet are humble enough to mentor young leaders. They graciously taught a passionate young evangelist named Apollos a better understanding of the gospel (see Acts 18:26). Churches having couples in the likes of Priscilla and Aquila should be very grateful.

Paul describes them as having "risked their necks." The Greek phrase here is similar to our English statement, ‘they risked their lives to save Paul.’ We don't have a record of when this happened, but they were likely present when Paul was nearly killed during a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41). A friend in deed is a friend in need. Why they risked their lives? The only reason surely is their love of the gospel.

At this time of Paul’s writing, Aquilla and Priscilla were back in Rome most likely. They had returned after the death of Claudius and the end of his ban on Jews in AD 54. Indeed, Paul had a long and close relationship with this couple.

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God’s Word for Today

22 Feb 2024

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

-Rom 16:1-2 ESV

PHOEBE, A SERVANT 

Phoebe is the lady who will deliver Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome. She was traveling from  Corinth, where Paul was staying. Paul describes her as "our sister" [in Christ] and as a servant of the church in Cenchreae. Cenchreae was a seaport town located not far from Corinth. 

The Greek word Paul uses for servant is diakonon, the same word sometimes translated as "deacon." It's possible Phoebe held some official position in the church, which may be one reason she was qualified to deliver the letter to the Romans on behalf of Paul. It's important to note that Phoebe is referred to as a diakonon "of the church," rather than a servant in general. 

While Paul's explanation of the role of an elder is clear when it comes to gender (1 Tim 3:1–7), verses such as Romans 16:1 are one reason some Christians believe roles such as deaconess are biblically allowed. 

Moreover, in v.2, she will be described as a ‘patron’, This is from the Greek word prostatis, a feminine noun specifically meaning a woman in some supervisory or guardian's role or one who aids through providing resources. It's possible that Phoebe helped support Paul's work financially or in other ways. Given her description in verse 1 using the word diakonon, some interpreters believe Phoebe was a deaconess—a female deacon—sent by Paul to deliver this letter.

Paul then instructs his readers to welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints. In other words, they were to receive her honorably as they would welcome a sister in Christ. In addition, they were to help her with whatever she needed while she was with them. This instruction fits with Paul's command in Romans 12 that living-sacrifice Christians seek to show hospitality (Rom 12:13).

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God’s Word for Today

21 Feb 2024

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

-Rom 15:30-33 ESV

STRIVE TOGETHER WITH ME IN YOUR PRAYERS TO GOD

Paul wants these believers to strive or wrestle with him in prayer to God on his behalf. He uses strong words in asking his readers to pray for him. He appeals to them by Christ Himself and by the love they have because of the Holy Spirit.  Paul often closes his letters by asking for prayer as in Eph 6:18–20; 1 Thes 5:25 and Phil 1:22. 

This is not a casual request. What he asks is also weighty. This request is different from most of those other appeals, as these verses reveal. Paul is deeply concerned about three specific things.

The first thing he wants them to ask God for is that he will be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea. Paul has learned by repeated experience that the religious Jews want to kill him (Acts 14:9; 23:12; 25:3). Paul was right to be concerned because previously in Acts 21:27–36, he describes what happened when the Jewish religious leaders found him in the temple in Jerusalem, grabbed and dragged him out of the temple, and tried to kill him.

Secondly, his request was that the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem would receive the gift of financial aid he was delivering from the Gentile believers. Why would they not? Perhaps tension between Jewish and Gentile Christians was running high. Perhaps the Christian Jews would reject the gift out of fear of the unbelieving religious Jews. Maybe Paul was concerned about being robbed or imprisoned on the way. In any case, he wanted desperately for the gift to be received.

Thirdly, He asked his readers to pray that, by God's will, he could come to them with joy and be refreshed in their company. This did eventually happen, in a sense, though Paul traveled to Rome as a prisoner and was shipwrecked along the way. This story is found in Acts 27–28.

God always answers the prayers of His people. Sometimes He says no. Sometimes He says yes, but in entirely unexpected ways that we could never anticipate. Paul's life demonstrates that God often does not follow our idea of what He should do, even as He acts for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

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Text: Romans 15:22-29 (ESV)

22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

SHARING OF BLESSINGS

Paul kept prodding himself unto new territories where the gospel had not yet been preached. He had to fulfill his mission to introduce each region to Christ. This hindered or prevented him from traveling to Rome since a group of believers had already been established there by the work of others.

But now, he writes to them that he has run out of unreached places to preach in his part of the world, freeing him up to come and see them on his way to Spain. He has longed to come and see them for many years. His longing to see the Romans echoes his mentions in his desire to strengthen them spiritually, to give and receive encouragement, and to reap a spiritual harvest among them (see Rom 1:10–13). There is really a time for everything in God’s plan. [Ecc 3:12]

Aside from his desire to enjoy his fellowship with them personally, he was hoping they will be able to help fund his missionary efforts in this new region. [v.19] Paul is always leveraging on gospel partnerships. Their funds would surely further the gospel work.

In fact, Paul had initiated to raise money from the Gentile Christians to meet the needs of the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. (1 Cor 16:1–2; 2 Cor 8:1–9). At this time, he was headed to Jerusalem to deliver it. The churches in Macedonia and Achaia, he writes, have been pleased to contribute what they could to the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul may have pushed hard for it, but the giving was not mandatory.

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Text: Romans 15:18-21 (ESV)

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see,

and those who have never heard will understand.”

MY AMBITION

Paul recognizes himself as an instrument of God to be used for God's purposes. He said, “Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them” [v.18] He is proud of what God has used him to accomplish—bringing the Gentiles to obedience. Yet, it’s not him but Christ through the Spirit. He refuses to take personal credit for his accomplishments. It is Christ who has accomplished this work through him. He merely participated in the work Christ was accomplishing.

He lists how Christ has accomplished this work through him. He mentions first the "word and deed." Paul has used words to spread the good news of salvation through faith in Christ extensively, both near and beyond. His deeds have included heroic acts of service, as well as miraculous signs and wonders. He said, “They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.” These miracles are pieces of evidence of the Holy Spirit's power when groups of people believed in Christ and received the Spirit. Let us be encouraged therefore that God still provides the power to do the work. He sends us and we go. He accomplishes His purpose through us.

Amazingly, his mission travels began from Jerusalem and reached Illyricum, also known as Dalmatia, a region north and west of Macedonia [now Greece], and even part of modern-day Croatia. In claiming that he has fulfilled his ministry of delivering the gospel of Christ to all these places, he did not mean that no work remains to be done there. He means, most likely, that he did in each place exactly what Christ gave Him to do.

Yet, He did not pat his shoulder and was satisfied. He said, “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” Is there something wrong with preaching the gospel of Christ in an area where it has already been preached? Of course not! People are moving to different places and some people need to hear the gospel more than once. But, why preach to places more when other places have not heard even once?

An ambition is noble when it’s for God’s glory. [Phil 1:21, 1 Cor 2:2, Gal 6:14] Paul's ambition was to preach the gospel only to what we call today "unreached peoples." His work was not to build on the work done by other preachers before him. His work was to break new ground, to bring the truth of God's grace to new ears. Paul labored more abundantly than anyone else. [1 Cor 15:8]

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:15, saying,“ but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Clearly, the work he has done around the world has not ultimately been his own work. Hence, he is not taking credit for the results. He has been tasked by God to bring the good news about salvation through faith in Jesus to people who have never heard it before.{Acts 20:24]

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Text: Romans 15:14-17 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.

-Rom 15:14-17 ESV

I HAVE REASON TO BE PROUD OF MY WORK FOR GOD

Paul expresses his satisfaction upon seeing the lives of the believers in Rome. There were three reasons. Firstly, they were full of goodness. This means they abound in good work as apparent pieces of evidence of their real faith in Christ. We are not saved by good works but are saved unto good works.

Secondly, they were filled with all `knowledge. This means that they have a good grasp and knowledge of the truth of God. And thirdly, they were able to instruct one another. They were able to encourage or edify each other.

By way of reminder, Paul insists that he writes to them by God's grace, not by his own merits. All his authority as an apostle and teacher comes from God, not from the excellence of his own mind or study or achievements. His teaching was surely used by God to help shape the living-sacrifice lives of the Roman Christians into something acceptable to God. Yet, he is not the one who accomplishes those. Definitely, the Holy Spirit is the one who supernaturally sanctifies believers, transforming us from the inside out (2 Cor 3:18). This is the reason why Paul was proud of his work for God.

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Text: Romans 15:8-13 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

-Rom 15:8-13 ESV

ABOUND IN HOPE

Paul is highlighting the unique relationship between the Israelites and Gentiles in God’s sovereign plan. God has progressively revealed this plan over the ages. Initially, Christ, in His earthly life and ministry, became a servant to the Jewish people, particularly as circumcised to mark their unique identity. Jesus claims in Matthew 15:24, saying, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Paul echoes this claim about Jesus' purpose in Galatians 4:4–5, saying, "God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law."

The Gentiles, on the other hand, were not left out. They would glorify God for His mercy. When the Jews refused to come to God through faith in Christ, God offered the gift of His grace through faith in Christ to the rest of the world (Rom 11:11–12).

Was this incidental? Definitely not!

This was always God’s plan. In fact, Paul has quoted Old Testament prophecies that the Gentiles ar included in His plan. These prophecies are not explicitly spelled out how this would come to pass. But, Paul is eager to point out the inclusion of the Gentiles in the praise of God.

First is Psa 18:49, “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.” Verse 10 is possibly a quotation from Deut 32:43, which says, “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.”

And the next verse is from Psa 117:2, “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” The Gentile nations would be praising the Lord for His steadfast love and faithfulness. And, Paul quotes Isa 11:10-12, “

“10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

12 He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

These prophecies follow a primary emphasis of New Testament teaching. That is, the gospel applies to all people and cultures, throughout all of mankind. No exception. Undoubtedly, Christ has become the Lord of all people groups. And, the Gentiles who come to God through faith in Christ have placed their hope in Him for their salvation. Paul's basic thought is that Jesus is the fulfillment of all these Old Testament writings or prophecies both for Israel and for the Gentile nations (Gal 3:28–29).

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God’s Word for Today

15 Feb 2024

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

-Rom 15:4-7 ESV

THE SCRIPTURES GIVES HOPE

The scriptures, referring to the Old Testament, were written to teach us modern Christians. It’s not exclusive to the people in those times and have become outdated or irrelevant as many claim. Those Scriptures are for us, too, today. They bring encouragement and hope to God's people in every generation. They help us to endure, even in and through suffering. 

As theologians say, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testamentis the Old Testament revealed.” God revealed progressively from the Old Testament until the New Testament when the Messsiah came. God is immutable so that His purposes and plans would never change. The prophet Malachi writes, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. “[Mal 3:6] And the author of Hebrews also writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”[Heb 13:8] If God was in control in the past, He should be in control today and tomorrow. 

Collectively, Paul is hopeful that the God of endurance and encouragement will grant us to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. That together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.[v.5,6]

As a result, we do welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us, for the glory of God.[v.7] Put in another way, we should not oblige others to be like us but embrace them as they are with their uniqueness and idiosyncracies. Afterall, Christ has embraced us as we are. 

Unity isn’t uniformity but harmony in diversity. We Christians are singing the same song, but are singing in our different parts. This necessitates two things, firstly, we must adjust our pitch and tone down. These would make us coordinate with each other while we are performing our individual parts in the song. This is the harmony that the gospel could bring into God’s family – the church.

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