Romans 16: Warnings Against Divisions

Read Romans Chapter 16

Introduction: The final chapter of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is a warning against divisions, and praise for God’s eternal wisdom. This chapter points out the importance of community, vigilance in faith, and the glorification of God by the church. As we go through this chapter, we see the strong bonds that early Christians formed, the care Paul had for his friends, and the admonition to remain steadfast in the right teaching. Finally, Paul ends the book by exaltation of God that serves as a reminder of His greatness and the mystery of the gospel now revealed in Jesus Christ for the world.

I. Greetings to Various Individuals (Romans 16:1-16)
Paul begins by commending Phoebe, a servant and helper to many, including Paul himself (Romans 16:1-2). He then greets Priscilla and Aquila, his co workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their lives for him (Romans 16:3-4). In Acts 18:2-3, we see Paul meeting this couple in Corinth, and they share the common trade of tentmaking. The greetings continue, mentioning many individuals by name, showing how diverse and united the body of Christ has become (Romans 16:5-16). In 1 Corinthians 16:19, Paul again greets the church that meets in the house of Priscilla and Aquila, shedding light on the practice of house churches.

II. Warning Against Divisions (Romans 16:17-20)
Paul speaks to them of a call for watchfulness. He tells the Romans to watch out for those causing divisions and putting obstacles in the way, contrary to the teaching they learned (Romans 16:17). Similar warnings are found in 1 Timothy 6:3-5, where Timothy is told to avoid those who teach false doctrines which do great harm to peoples faith in Christ. Paul assures the Romans that God will soon crush Satan under their feet, a promise remembering the protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15 is known as the protevangelium) in Genesis 3:15, where God declares that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.

III. Greetings from Paul’s Associates (Romans 16:21-23)
Paul includes greetings from other people, like Timothy, his co worker in the ministry, and others who are with him (Romans 16:21). Timothy is often mentioned in Acts (Acts 16:1) and in the epistles of Paul as a close companion of Paul. Gaius, Paul’s host, and Erastus, the city’s director of public works, are also mentioned (Romans 16:23). In 1 Corinthians 1:14, Paul mentions baptizing Gaius, showing the close relationships he had with those in the early church communities.

IV. Paul’s Hymn of Praise (Romans 16:25-27)
The letter concludes with a doxology, a short hymn of praise to God. Paul glorifies God, who has the power to establish the Romans according to the gospel (Romans 16:25-27). This brings to mind Ephesians 3:20-21, where Paul speaks about God’s ability to do more than all we ask or imagine. The mystery hidden for ages but now revealed through Jesus Christ sheds light on God’s wisdom, as seen in Colossians 1:26-27, where the mystery of Christ in the gentile world is spoken of.

Conclusion: In Romans 16, we see a glimpse into the heart of the early Christian church, a group of individuals who are different, but united in Christ. Paul’s personal greetings demonstrate the deep relationships within the Church, showing how important church is to the Christian life. The warnings against divisions remind us to hold fast to sound doctrine and be discerning about false teachings and false doctrine. Finally, the closing hymn of praise lifts our eyes to the eternal God, whose wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, yet have been made known to us through the gospel. This chapter should be an inspirational call to live out our faith with love, unity, and praise for the Almighty.