The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Truth to Learn We have the genuine Word of God. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from charis. This is the noun form of the verb chairō, meaning “to be full of cheer” or “to rejoice.” The noun...
Romans 16:23 – Give Your All
Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. Truth to Learn God wants us all to give liberally. Behind the Words “Host” is from the Greek word xenos, which literally means “a foreigner” or “a stranger.”...
Romans 16:22 – Service or Excuses?
I, Tertius, the one writing this epistle, greet you in the Lord. Truth to Learn God wants people to serve without excuses. Behind the Words The name Tertius is a Latin name meaning “third.” It was common among the Roman aristocracy to name children Primus (first), Secundus (second), Tertius (third),...
Romans 16:21 – Faithful Helpers
Timothy, my fellow worker greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen. Truth to Learn Every ministry needs faithful helpers. Behind the Words “Fellow worker” is from sunergon, which we have seen a couple of times in this chapter. It refers to someone who works together with someone...
Romans 16:20 – Crushing Blow
And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Truth to Learn Through Christ we will have victory over false teachers. Behind the Words The word “crush” is translated from suntribō, which is composed of sun,...
Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise
For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I rejoice on your behalf; but I want you to be wise as to what is good, and innocent concerning evil. Truth to Learn It is important for all Christians to be growing in our faith daily by reading and studying...
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 innocent. Truth to Learn Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ. Behind the Words The word translated “serve”...
Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid
Now I exhort you, brothers, take note of those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. Truth to Learn Avoid those who teach false doctrine. Behind the Words “Exhort” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally means “to...
Romans 16:16 – A Holy Kiss?
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All 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, “to hug,” which we learned...
Romans 16:15 – Family of Saints
Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints 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 sources is said to be derived from Nereo...
Romans 16:14 – Church Building Idolatry?
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers 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 is made up of the negative...
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 is based on the verb eklegomai,...
Romans 16:12 – Hard Working Women
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who are laboring 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 both derived from the verb truphaō,...
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, is translated from sungenēs, meaning “same...
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 for the purpose of determining value or...
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 a person with a hug. There...