1 But I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is minister of the assembly which is in Cenchrea;
2 that ye may receive her in [the] Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in whatever matter she has need of you; for *she* also has been a helper of many, and of myself.
3 Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus,
4 (who for my life staked their own neck; to whom not *I* only am thankful, but also all the assemblies of the nations,)
5 and the assembly at their house. Salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is [the] first-fruits of Asia for Christ.
6 Salute Maria, who laboured much for you.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles; who were also in Christ before me.
8 Salute Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbanus, our fellow-workman in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles, approved in Christ. Salute those who belong to Aristobulus.
11 Salute Herodion, my kinsman. Salute those who belong to Narcissus, who are in [the] Lord.
12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in [the] Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved, who has laboured much in [the] Lord.
13 Salute Rufus, chosen in [the] Lord; and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them.
16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you.
17 But I beseech you, brethren, to consider those who create divisions and occasions of falling, contrary to the doctrine which *ye* have learnt, and turn away from them.
18 For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 For your obedience has reached to all. I rejoice therefore as it regards you; but I wish you to be wise [as] to that which is good, and simple [as] to evil.
20 But the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.
21 Timotheus, my fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who have written this epistle, salute you in [the] Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and of the whole assembly, salutes you. Erastus, the steward of the city, salutes you, and the brother Quartus.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my glad tidings and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to [the] revelation of [the] mystery, as to which silence has been kept in [the] times of the ages,
26 but [which] has now been made manifest, and by prophetic scriptures, according to commandment of the eternal God, made known for obedience of faith to all the nations --
27 [the] only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Romans 16
Commentary on Romans 16 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 16
Paul is now concluding this long and excellent epistle, and he does it with a great deal of affection. As in the main body of the epistle he appears to have been a very knowing man, so in these appurtenances of it he appears to have been a very loving man. So much knowledge and so much love are a very rare, but (where they exist) a very excellent and amiable-composition; for what is heaven but knowledge and love made perfect? It is observable how often Paul speaks as if he were concluding, and yet takes fresh hold again. One would have thought that solemn benediction which closed the foregoing chapter should have ended the epistle; and yet here he begins again, and in this chapter he repeats the blessing (v. 20), "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen.' And yet he has something more to say; nay, again he repeats the blessing (v. 24), and yet has not done; an expression of his tender love. These repeated benedictions, which stand for valedictions, speak Paul loth to part. Now, in this closing chapter, we may observe,
Rom 16:1-16
Such remembrances as these are usual in letters between friends; and yet Paul, by the savouriness of his expressions, sanctifies these common compliments.
Rom 16:17-20
The apostle having endeavoured by his endearing salutations to unite them together, it was not improper to subjoin a caution to take heed of those whose principles and practices were destructive to Christian love. And we may observe,
Rom 16:21-24
As the Apostle had before sent his own salutations to many of this church, and that of the churches round him to them all, he here adds an affectionate remembrance of them from some particular persons who were now with him, the better to promote acquaintance and fellowship among distant saints, and that the subscribing of these worthy names, known to them, might the more recommend this epistle. He mentions,
Rom 16:25-27
Here the apostle solemnly closes his epistle with a magnificent ascription of glory to the blessed God, as one that terminated all in the praise and glory of God, and studied to return all to him, seeing all is of him and from him. He does, as it were, breathe out his soul to these Romans in the praise of God, choosing to make that the end of his epistle which he made the end of his life. Observe here,