Romans 16:19 - Obedient and Wise 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. Truth to Learn It is important for all Christians to be growing in our...
Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders
Romans 16:18 - Servants, Not Crusaders 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. Truth to Learn Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ. Behind...
Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid
Romans 16:17 - Who to Avoid Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Truth to Learn Avoid those who teach false doctrine. Behind the Words “Urge” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally...
Romans 16:16 – A Holy Kiss?
Romans 16:16 - A Holy Kiss? Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say,...
Romans 16:15 – Family of Saints
Romans 16:15 - Family of Saints Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Truth to Learn All Christians are saints and are God’s children. Behind the Words The name “Philologus” means “one who loves to learn.” “Nereus,” by some...
Romans 16:14 – Church Building Idolatry?
Romans 16:14 - Church Building Idolatry? Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Truth to Learn God wants a relationship, not brick and mortar. Behind the Words “Asyncritus” is the name of a slave who was made a freeman by Caesar Augustus. The name...
Romans 16:13 – A Choice Christian
Romans 16:13 - A Choice Christian Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Truth to Learn Some Christians stand out as “choice” within the church. Behind the Words The name “Rufus” is of Roman (Latin) origin, meaning “red.” “Chosen” is translated from the noun eklektos, which...
Romans 16:12 – Hard Working Women
Romans 16:12 - Hard Working Women Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Truth to Learn There are many hard working women in the church! Behind the Words The names “Tryphena and Tryphosa” are Greek and are...
Romans 16:11 – This Precious Salvation
Romans 16:11 - This Precious Salvation Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Truth to Learn Some Christians put their lives in danger when they get saved. Behind the Words The word “countryman,” which we saw in verse seven,...
Romans 16:10 – Proving Ground of Faith
Romans 16:10 - Proving Ground of Faith Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Truth to Learn Christians undergo trials of their faith. Behind the Words The word translated “approved” is dokimos, derived from the verb dokimadzō, which means “to try or test...
Romans 16:9 – Hugs and Kisses
Romans 16:9 - Hugs and Kisses Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Truth to Learn Family members greet one another with signs of affection. Behind the Words The word “greet,” which we looked at back in verse three, is aspadzomai, which refers specifically to greeting...
Romans 16:8 – My Beloved Brother
Romans 16:8 - My Beloved Brother Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Truth to Learn Some people were specially honored by the Apostle Paul. Behind the Words “Amplias” is a shortened form of the Latin name Ampliatus, meaning “enlarged.” Some Greek manuscripts have the full name rather than the...
Romans 16:7 – A Distinguished Pair
Romans 16:7 - A Distinguished Pair Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Truth to Learn Some Christians are well known for their service in the church. Behind the Words The word “countrymen”...
Romans 16:6 – Hard Working Mary
Romans 16:6 - Hard Working Mary Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Truth to Learn Some people in the church work extremely hard and get little or no recognition. Behind the Words “Mary” is translated from the Greek name Miriam, which is transliterated from the Hebrew name Miryam, meaning...
Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active
Romans 16:5 - Committed and Active Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. Truth to Learn Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance. Behind the Words Notice that the word “greet” is in an italic font....
Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes
Romans 16:4 - Behind The Scenes who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Truth to Learn Some of the most important ministries are behind the scenes. Behind the Words The word “risked” is a...
Romans 16:3 – Secular Saints
Romans 16:3 - Secular Saints Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, Truth to Learn Just because you work at a secular job doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to use you in building up the church. Behind the Words “Greet” is translated from aspadzomai, which is made...
Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper
Romans 16:2 - Help The Helper 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. Truth to Learn Helping other...
Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess
Romans 16:1 - Phoebe the Deaconess I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, Truth to Learn Women who serve in formal positions in a church perform an important service to God and His church. Behind the Words “Commend” is translated from...
Romans 15:33 – Peace With God
Romans 15:33 - Peace With God Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Truth to Learn God is the only source of true peace. You can be at peace with God. Behind the Words The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root...
Romans 15:32 – Following With Joy
Romans 15:32 - Following With Joy that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Truth to Learn Following God’s will is not always comfortable or easy but it will produce joy in our hearts. Behind the Words “Will”...
Romans 15:31 – Fearful or Following?
Romans 15:31 - Fearful or Following? that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, Truth to Learn Following God is more important than personal safety. Behind the Words The word translated “delivered” is...