Romans 16

King James Version

Full text for Romans Chapter 16

1¶ I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' [household].

11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the [household] of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

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

16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

21¶ Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22I Tertius, who wrote [this] epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

25¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27To God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Apostle Paul concludes his epistle to the Romans by commending Phebe and sending extensive greetings to numerous individuals and households in Rome, acknowledging their service and relationships within the early Christian community. He then issues a strong warning against those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine, urging believers to avoid such deceivers. The chapter concludes with greetings from Paul's companions and a powerful doxology, glorifying God for the revelation of the gospel and His power to establish believers.

Medium Summary

Romans 16 begins with Paul commending Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, urging the Roman believers to receive and assist her, recognizing her as a helper to many. He then extends personal greetings to a long list of individuals and households, including Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, and many others, acknowledging their various forms of service, kinship, and faithfulness in Christ. Following these salutations, Paul issues a strong warning to identify and avoid those who create divisions and stumbling blocks contrary to the doctrine they have learned, describing them as self-serving deceivers. He expresses joy over their obedience and encourages them to be wise concerning good and innocent concerning evil, concluding this section with a promise of peace and grace. The chapter further includes greetings from Paul's co-workers, kinsmen, and the scribe Tertius, along with Gaius and city officials. It culminates in a profound doxology, glorifying God for His power to establish them according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery now made manifest for the obedience of faith to all nations.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul opens Romans 16 by commending Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, whom he urges the Roman saints to receive in the Lord and assist in her endeavors, recognizing her as a succourer of many, including himself. He then proceeds to send extensive personal greetings to a diverse group of believers in Rome, beginning with Priscilla and Aquila, whom he praises for risking their lives for him, and whose house church he also salutes. Paul continues by greeting Epaenetus, the "firstfruits of Achaia," and Mary, who labored diligently for them. He salutes Andronicus and Junia, his kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who were notable among the apostles and were in Christ before him, along with Amplias, Urbane, Stachys, and Apelles, all described as beloved or approved in the Lord. Further greetings are extended to households of Aristobulus and Narcissus, Herodion, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, and Rufus and his mother, whom Paul also considers his own mother. The list concludes with salutations to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, Philologus, Julia, Nereus, his sister, Olympas, and all the saints with them, emphasizing the widespread network of faith. Paul instructs them to greet one another with a holy kiss, conveying the unity and affection within the Christian community, and notes that the churches of Christ also send their greetings. Following these personal messages, Paul issues a solemn warning, beseeching the brethren to identify and avoid those who create divisions and offenses that contradict the sound doctrine they have received. He characterizes these individuals as serving their own appetites rather than Christ, using deceptive words and flattery to mislead the innocent. Paul acknowledges the Romans' widely known obedience and expresses joy, but advises them to be discerning in good and innocent concerning evil. He offers a comforting promise that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet, followed by a benediction of grace. The chapter then includes greetings from Paul's companions, such as Timotheus, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, as well as Tertius, the scribe of the epistle, and Gaius, Paul's host, along with Erastus, the city chamberlain, and Quartus. The epistle culminates in a magnificent doxology, attributing glory to God, who possesses the power to establish them according to Paul's gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ. This doxology highlights the revelation of a mystery, kept secret for ages but now made manifest through prophetic scriptures, by the commandment of the everlasting God, to be known by all nations for the obedience of faith, concluding with an affirmation of God's sole wisdom and eternal glory through Jesus Christ.

Core Concepts

  • Christian Fellowship and CommunityThe chapter extensively lists numerous individuals and households, demonstrating the interconnectedness and personal relationships within the early Christian communities, emphasizing their shared faith and service.
  • Service and MinistryMany individuals are recognized for their dedicated labor and assistance in the Lord, such as Phebe as a 'servant' and 'succourer,' and Priscilla and Aquila as 'helpers' who risked their lives.
  • Warning Against DivisionPaul strongly cautions believers to mark and avoid those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine, describing them as self-serving deceivers who mislead the simple with smooth words.
  • The Gospel as Revealed MysteryThe concluding doxology describes the gospel of Jesus Christ as a profound mystery, kept secret since the world began but now made manifest through the prophets for the obedience of faith to all nations.
  • God's Power to EstablishThe doxology affirms God's inherent power to strengthen and confirm believers in their faith, according to the preaching of Jesus Christ and the revelation of the gospel.
  • Personal Connections and KinshipPaul frequently mentions individuals as 'kinsmen,' 'fellowprisoners,' or 'beloved in the Lord,' highlighting the deep personal bonds and shared experiences among early Christians.
  • The Holy KissPaul instructs the believers to 'salute one another with an holy kiss,' symbolizing unity, peace, and affection within the Christian assembly.