B1 What does this mean?
C1 Paul’s Personal Greetings
D1 Phoebe, a deaconess
E1 I wrote an article about this: A Few Thoughts About Deaconesses
E2 Robertson’s Word Pictures comment on Romans 16:1:
Who is a servant of the church (ousan diakonon tēs ekklēsias). The etymology of diakonos we have had repeatedly. The only question here is whether it is used in a general sense or in a technical sense as in Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13. In favour of the technical sense of “deacon” or “deaconess” is the addition of “tēs ekklēsias” (of the church). In some sense Phoebe was a servant or minister of the church in Cenchreae. Besides, right in the midst of the discussion in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Paul has a discussion of gunaikas (1 Timothy 3:11) either as women as deaconesses or as the wives of deacons (less likely though possible). The Apostolic Constitutions has numerous allusions to deaconesses. The strict separation of the sexes made something like deaconesses necessary for baptism, visiting the women, etc. Cenchreae, as the eastern port of Corinth, called for much service of this kind. Whether the deaconesses were a separate organization on a par with the deacons we do not know nor whether they were the widows alluded to in 1 Ti 5:9.
E3 The Roman believers were to help her in every way possible. This is referring to her ministry. Note, that she has been a helper to many. We should always be willing to help (if we are able) fellow believers especially if they are engaged in ministry.
D2 Priscilla and Aquila
E1 See Acts 18 and 1 Corinthians 16:19
E2 A few articles
F1 Who were Priscilla and Aquila?
D3 Epaenetus, the first Achaia convert. See here.
D4 Verse 6, Mary. Adam Clarke writes: Who this Mary was, or what the labor was which she bestowed upon the apostles, we know not. Her works, though hidden from man, are with God; and her name is recorded with honor in this book of life.
D5 Andronicus and Junia.
E1 Not Apostles but well known and highly regarded by the Apostles. Some articles on controversies about them:
F1 Junia Among the Apostles: The Double Identification Problem in Romans 16:7
F2 Was Junia/Junias a female apostle?
F3 Romans 16:7 at Bible Hub. Multiple translations and some comments.
E2 Two men or husband and wife? Most likely, it is husband and wife as in most translations.
D6 Amplias. See Bible Hub and Net Bible Dictionary.
D7 Verse 9,
E1 Urbane. Bible Hub entry.
E2 Stachys. Bible Hub entry.
D8 Verse 10,
E1 Apelles. Bible Hub entry.
E2 Aristobulus. Bible Hub entry.
D9 Verse 11,
E1 Herodion. Bible Hub entry.
E2 Narcissus. Bible Hub entry.
D10 Verse 12,
E1 Tryphena and Tryphosa. Most likely, they are sisters serving Christ. Bible Hub entry.
E2 Persis. Another sister in Christ. Bible Hub entry.
D11 Verse 13, Rufus. Bible Hub entry.
D12 Verse 14-15. See Haldane’s Commentary.
D13 Verse 16, showing greetings and the Christian fellowship of one family in Christ.
D14 Verse 17, two types of people to avoid.
E1 The Greek word avoid is ἐκκλίνω ekklínō. It means to turn away from even to shun.
E2 Those who create dissensions.
F1 This is mainly referring to doctrine. Many want to change the Christian doctrine taught by Jesus and the Apostles. Some ignore it. Some redefine it. Some apply a philosophical justification to come up with an unrecognizable teaching. It is best to not speculate but accept the plain, normal sense of Scripture.
F2 It applies to those who do not agree with Paul’s Roman letter.
F3 Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
E3 Those who create opportunities for sin.
F1 Sin begins in the heart, blossoms, and finally a person gives in, sins, and faces the consequences. See James 1:14-15.
F2 Often people separate for reasons not required by Scriptures. Let us be very careful.
F3 1 Corinthians 5:11 NIV but now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
F4 2 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
F5 Titus 3:9-11 NIV but avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
D15 Verse 18, the motive for the errors noted in verse 17.
E1 Selfish interests and goals are common errors.
E2 Note how they believe they are serving the Lord Jesus but definitely are not serving Him.
E3 Notice their method of swaying people to their opinion. They use pleasant speech and flattery. Barclay remarks:
There are two interesting words in this passage. There is the word we have translated plausibility (chrestologia, Greek #5542). The Greeks themselves defined a chrestologos (see Greek #5542) as "a man who speaks well and who acts ill." He is the kind of man who, behind a facade of pious words, is a bad influence, who leads astray, not by direct attack, but by subtlety, who pretends to serve Christ, but in reality is destroying the faith. There is the word we have translated untainted with what is evil. It is the word akeraios (Greek #185) and it is used of metal which has no suspicion of alloy, of wine and of milk which are not adulterated with water. It describes something which is absolutely pure of any corruption. The Christian is a man whose utter sincerity must be beyond all doubt.
E4 They show great interest and kindness to others, but it is only to groom them for some evil.
E5 They flatter them and make them believe they are special to this teacher.
D16 Verse 19 refers to the Roman believers having a good testimony in society.
D17 Verse 20. God does punish. He does not say when. We must be patient. God gives us grace to be patient.
D18 Verse 21-23 are some of the believers with Paul who send their greetings and blessings to the Roman believers.
C2 Paul’s Blessing and Prayer for the Roman Christians
D1 Verse 24, Paul’s confidence in the Lord Jesus to help them.
D2 Verse 25, God has both the power/strength and desire to help us live steadfastly in the faith.
E1 We must believe God. James 5:8 CSB You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near.
E2 The ministry of all to teach what we believe and why and how we live and why is SO important. Colossians 2:5-7 CSB For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.
D3 Verse 25, the mystery is the clearness of the Gospel and the life God wants for us who live in God’s kingdom in spirit and someday in presence. It also refers that God’s blessings of salvation are not only for Jews but also Gentiles.
D4 Verse 26,
E1 The importance of prophecy
E2 God is everlasting
E3 The obedience of faith.
F1 God gives the command to believe. Mark 1:15 NLT the time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
F2 We can resist or not resist after the Holy Spirit frees our blindness and deadness. The Holy Spirit enables what was not enabled because of the sin nature.
G1 Resist:
H1 2 Thessalonians 1:8 CSB when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
H2 1 Peter 4:17 NKJV for the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
G2 Not resist:
H1 Acts 16:14 RSV One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul.
H2 Isaiah 50:5 RSV The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward.
G3 Luke 24:45 RSV Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
D5 Romans 16:27 WEL [May] praise [be given] to God, who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
E1 Praise to God alone.
F1 Exodus 20:3 NLT You must not have any other god but me.
F2 John 4:23 NLT but the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.
E2 God is the only one with full and complete wisdom.
F1 Psalm 147:5 NLT How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
F2 Isaiah 40:28 NLT Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
E3 Through Jesus Christ. All honor is His.
F1 Philippians 2:10-11 NLT that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
F2 John 17:1 NLT After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.
B2 How do I apply this to my life? To love the brothers and sisters, be faithful, trust in God’s grace to remain steadfast and faithful to the end.
Resources:
B1 For an in-depth commentary on Romans 9-11 from an Arminian viewpoint, see Romans Blog Series.
B2 Precept Austin
C1 Romans Verse by Verse(Scroll down)
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