Barton's Bible Study Notes

Romans 16:1-27

SUMMARY: In these last verses of Romans, Paul concludes his letter with a commendation of Phoebe, who was bringing this letter to those at Rome, greetings to persons known personally by Paul and those with him and a warning to watch out for those who would cause dissension.
  I.  The Commendation VERSES 16:1-2
A.  The Commendation: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, (1a)
B.  The Description: who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; (1b)
C.  The Instruction:
1.  First: that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, (2a)
2.  Second: and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; (2b)
D.  The Reason: for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. (2c)
 
 II.  The Greetings from Paul VERSES 16:3-16
A.  Prisca and Aquila:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Prisca and Aquila, (3a)
2.  The Description:
a.  First: my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, (3b)
b.  Second: who for my life risked their own necks, (4a)
c.  Third: to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; (4b)
B.  Their Church: also greet the church that is in their house. (5a)
C.  Epaenetus:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Epaenetus, (5b)
2.  The Description: my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. (5c)
D.  Mary:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Mary, (6a)
2.  The Description: who has worked hard for you. (6b)
E.  Andronicus and Junias:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Andronicus and Junias, (7a)
2.  The Description:
a.  First: my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, (7b)
b.  Second: who are outstanding among the apostles, (7c)
c.  Third: who also were in Christ before me. (7d)
F.  Ampliatus:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Ampliatus, (8a)
2.  The Description: my beloved in the Lord. (8b)
G.  Urbanus:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Urbanus, (9a)
2.  The Description: our fellow worker in Christ, (9b)
H.  Stachys:
1.  The Person: and Stachys (9c)
2.  The Description: my beloved. (9d)
I.  Apelles:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Apelles (10a)
2.  The Description: the approved in Christ. (10b)
J.  Household of Aristobulus: Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. (10c)
K.  Herodion:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Herodion, (11a)
2.  The Description: my kinsman. (11b)
L.  Household of Narcissus:
1.  The Instruction: Greet those of the household of Narcissus, (11c)
2.  The Description: who are in the Lord. (11d)
M.  Tryphaena and Tryphosa:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, (12a)
2.  The Description: workers in the Lord (12b)
N.  Persis:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Persis (12c)
2.  The Description: the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. (12d)
O.  Rufus:
1.  The Instruction: Greet Rufus, (13a)
2.  The Description: a choice man in the Lord, (13b)
P.  His Mother: also his mother and mine. (13c)
Q.  A Group of People:
1.  The Instruction: Greet (14a)
2.  The People: Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. (14b)
R.  Another Group:
1.  The Instruction: Greet (15a)
2.  The People: Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. (15b)
S.  Each Other: Greet one another with a holy kiss. (16a)
 
III.  The Greetings from the Churches VERSES 16:16
A.  The People: All the churches of Christ (16b)
B.  The Greeting: greet you. (16c)
 
IV.  The Warning VERSES 16:17-20
A.  The Appeal: Now I urge you, brethren, (17a)
B.  The Exhortation:
1.  First:
a.  The Action: keep your eye on those (17b)
b.  The Object: who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, (17c)
2.  Second: and turn away from them. (17d)
C.  The Explanation
1.  Their Master: For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; (18a)
2.  Their Methods: and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (18b)
D.  The Commendation:
1.  The Report: For the report of your obedience has reached to all; (19a)
2.  he Rejoicing: therefore I am rejoicing over you, (19b)
3.  The Wish: but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. (19c)
E.  The Conclusion:
1.  The Promise: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (20a)
2.  The Prayer: The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (20b)
 
 V.  The Greetings from Others VERSES 16:21-24
A.  The Greetings:
1.  From Timothy: Timothy my fellow worker greets you, (21a)
2.  From Lucius, Jason and Sosipater: and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. (21b)
3.  From Tertius: I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. (22)
4.  From Gaius: Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. (23a)
5.  From Erastus: Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, (23b)
6.  From Quartus: and Quartus, the brother. (23c)
B.  The Benediction: [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.] (24)
 
VI.  The Doxologies VERSES 16:25-27
A.  The First Doxology:
1.  His Power: Now to Him who is able to establish you (25a)
2.  Its Present Revelation:
a.  First: according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (25b)
b.  Second: according to the revelation of the mystery (25c)
(1)  First Hidden: which has been kept secret for long ages past, (25d)
(2)  Now Revealed: but now is manifested, (26a)
(3)  And Proclaimed:
(a)  The Basis: and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, (26b)
(b)  The Action: has been made known to all the nations, (26c)
(c)  The Result: leading to obedience of faith; (26d)
B.  The Second Doxology: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, (27a)
C.  The Praise: be the glory forever. Amen. (27b)