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Romans Chapter
Sixteen
I. Content of the Chapter
The Fellowship in the End
A. Introduction (v.1-2);
B. Greeting ---- the greeting of Paul himself
(v.3-16);
C. Exhortation (v.17-20);
D. Greeting ---- to greet for the
fellow-workers (v.21-24);
E. Praise (v.25-27);
II. Verse by Verse commentary
Rom. 16:1
“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in
Cenchrea,”
YLT: “And I commend you to Phebe our
sister -- being a ministrant of the assembly that in Cenchrea --”
Meaning
of Words: “commend”:
introduce, ; “Phoebe”: illuminate, bright, glorious; “Cenchrea”:; “servant”:
ministry;
The Background: according to the
custom of the early church, when a believer visited or moved to another church,
there had to be an epistle to commend or introduce him by the original church
he was in.
Literal
Meaning: “I commend to you Phoebe
our sister”, it was inferred that
this epistle was carried to
“Who is a servant of the church in
Cenchrea,” “Cenchrea” was a harbor nine kilometers away from in the east part
outside of the city of
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The female minister shows that the works in
the church are not decided by gender, but whether one’s life is mature, or
whether one has good testimony in life, or whether one has talent or gift of
service.
2) Concerning the service in the church, there
is difference in function, not in personality, and in talent, not in life by
nature.
Rom. 16:2
“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. ”
YLT: “that ye may receive her in the Lord,
as doth become saints, and may assist her in whatever matter she may have need
of you -- for she also became a leader of many, and of myself.”
Meaning
of Words: “worthy of”: ……… ……;
“helper”: protect, aid, support;
Literal
Meaning: “that you may receive her
in the Lord”, to receive brothers and sisters from the heart.
One may receive brothers and sisters in his heart first and then serve them
outside. Otherwise, it will become vain and hypocritical.
“In a manner
worthy of the saints”, it means being
suited to saints. On one hand our language and walking should be worthy of
saints (Eph. 5:3), and our manner to saints should also be worthy of saints on
the other hand.
“And assist
her in whatever business she has need of you”, it suggested that
she was bound to have some task in
“For indeed
she has been a helper of many and of myself also”, “helper”, this
word commonly referred to those who had possessions, reputation and status in
the society at that time.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers should often receive one another
and have fellowship with the Lord.
2) In the association of believers with each
other, we should forsake the secular custom, but be worthy of saints. We should
seek truth instead of falsehood, and holiness instead of filth. It is the
spiritual reality that can please God, not apparent luxury.
3) “For indeed
she has been a helper of many and of myself also”, not everyone can
be an evangelist, but everyone can be a helper of an evangelist. He who
perfects others is perfecting himself.
4) Everyone has his place in the
YLT: “Salute Priscilla and Aquilas, my
fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus --”
Meaning
of Words: “Priscilla”: smaller;
“
Literal
Meaning: “greet
Priscilla and Aquila”, they had been tent-makers in
The name of Priscilla is put before the name of her husband
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The phrase “in Christ” is mentioned for many
times in this chapter. All our relationship with others should be in Christ, so
should all our life and works.
2) Christ is not only our life (
3) Spiritual fellowship is decided by whether
both the two parts involved are in Christ. If one is not in Christ, there will
be of no spiritual fellowship.
Rom. 16:4
“who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but
also all the churches of the Gentiles.”
YLT: “who for my life their own neck did lay
down, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the
nations --”
Literal Meaning: “who risked their own necks for my life”, it indicated that
they had risked their life to save Paul, but it was not recorded in the
Scriptures. Perhaps, it happened when Paul was embroil in the riot in
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Priscilla and
2) Priscilla and
3) Fellow workers today are usually separated
not long after being gathered because of dissensions over opinions, domains,
profits and etc. Besides, they attack each other in many ways and disclose the
iniquities of others after separation. It is really good example of Paul’s
remembrance of and love to his fellow workers.
Rom. 16:5
“Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. ”
YLT: “and the assembly at their house;
salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is first-fruit of Achaia to Christ.”
Meaning
of Words: “Epaenetus”: praise; “Achaia”:
east, dust;
Literal
Meaning: “likewise greet
the church that is in their house”, there was not a particular location for
saints to worship or have fellowship in early church times, so they were
gathered in the houses of believers.
“Epaenetus,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ”, he was the one who first believed the
Lord in Achaia.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It was rather uneasy that Epaenetus was bold
to make up his mind to believe into the Lord Jesus when all the others around
him were unwilling to receive the Lord. No wonder that the Lord remember him.
2) Sometimes, one may think that “he is sober
and all the rest sleep deeply” in the church. Then, what is really important is
“seeing no one but Jesus alone.” (Matt. 17:8).
3) In the world, the principle of service is
the minority is subordinate to the majority. However, in spiritual things,
“Many are they who enter in through the gate and way that lead to destruction.
Few there be that find the way that leads unto life” (Matt. 7:13-14). Besides,
many are called ones, but few chosen ones (Matt. 22:14).
YLT: “Salute Mary, who did labour much for
us;”
Meaning
of Words: “Mary”: rebellion,
bitterness; “much”: abundant, common; “labor”: fatigue, toil;
Literal
Meaning: “greet
Mary”, there are six “Mary”s
in the New Testament: 1) the Lord’s physical mother (Matt. 1:16); 2) Mary
Magdalene (Matt. 27:56); 3) Mary in Bethany (John 11:1); 4) Mary,
the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25); 5) M ary, the mother of Mark
(Acts 12:12); 6) Mary in the church of Rome;
“Who labored
much for us”, “labor much”, it suggested in the original that
she labored to a very fatigue condition.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We shall abound
always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in Lord (1Cor. 15:58).
2) The Lord will always remember all the toil
of us for the sake of Him. Until one day, we may
rest from our labors, and our
works follow with them (Rev. 14:13).
Rom. 16:7
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of
note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”
YLT: “salute Andronicus and Junias, my
kindred, and my fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles, who also
have been in Christ before me.”
Meaning
of Words: “Andronicus”: man of
victory; “Junia”: young;
Literal
Meaning: “my countrymen and my fellow
prisoners”, “countrymen” (see v.11, 21) here perhaps refers to bloodline
relations or means that he is a Jewish brother ---- kinsmen (see
“Andronicus and Junia”, the names like
“Andronicus”, “Apelles” (v.10) and “Nereus” (v.15) at that time showed that
they were of, or servants of the household of Caesar, the Empire of Rome.
“Who are of note among the apostles”, it has
two explanations: 1) if the word “apostle” here was in broad sense, it
indicated that they were of note among all the fellow workers sent by the
churches. 2) If the word “apostle” here was in narrow sense, it revealed that
they were regarded highly among the twelve apostles. Since there was a definite
article before the “apostles”, many Bible exegetes agreed with the second
explanations.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Saints in
2) True reputation is not preached or gained by
oneself, but is the honor given by others because of one’s full life, good
works and life with good testimony.
3) Though Paul had already been of great
reputation at that time, he still showed rather respect to both of the fellow
workers in Christ before him. Today, there
are many promising young people who have just got some accomplishments.
However, they even despise the elders in the Lord and even neglect the
spiritual guidance that the elders had given to them. May we all learn from
Paul.
YLT: “Salute Amplias, my beloved in the
Lord;”
Meaning
of Words: “Amplias”: large;
The Background: according to the
investigation of historians, names like “Amplias”, “Urbanus” (v.9), “Narcissus” (v.11), “Rufus” (v.13), “Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas” (v.14), “Philologus
and Julia” (v.15) were commonly used by slaves at that time.
They might still use their names in the past after having been set free.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Consider your calling, brethren, that not
many wise according to flesh, not many powerful, not many high-born (1Cor.
1:26).
2) The church in
3) The premise of spiritual fellowship is not
the same level that we are in. spiritual fellowship is completely beyond man’s
background without counting one’s birth or social status.
Rom. 16:9
“Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.”
YLT: “salute Arbanus, our fellow-workman
in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved;”
Meaning
of Words: “Urbanus”: a city, urbane;
“Stachys”: a corn of wheat;
Rom. 16:10
“Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of
Aristobulus. ”
YLT: “salute Apelles, the approved in
Christ; salute those of the of Aristobulus;”
Meaning
of Words: “Apelles”: gifted by Apollos
god; “Aristobulus”: the most instructed,
the best counselor;
YLT: “salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute
those of the of Narcissus, who are in the Lord;”
Meaning
of Words: “Herodion”: the bondman of
Herod; “Narcissus”: lost;
Literal
Meaning: “Herodion,
my countryman”, “countryman”: please see the
commentary of verse seven.
YLT: “salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who
are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the beloved, who did labour much in
the Lord.”
Meaning
of Words: “Tryphena”: delicate;
“Tryphosa”: effeminacy; “Persis”: a Persian woman;
Literal
Meaning: “greet
Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord”, “Tryphena”
and “Tryphos” might be twin
sisters. The tense of “labor” indicated that they were still laboring for the
Lord until then ---- it was worthy of remembrance.
“Greet the beloved
Persis, who labored much in the Lord”, the past tense of “labor” showed that she
had labored much for the Lord in the past, but she gave the chances to young
brethren because of being old. However, her labor in the past was still worthy
of mention.
Rom. 16:13
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.”
YLT: “Salute Rufus, the choice one in the
Lord, and his mother and mine,” Meaning of Words:
“Rufus”: red;
Literal
Meaning: “greet
Rufus, chosen in the Lord”, many exegetes held “Rufus” was the son of Simon who was
a Cyrenian (see Mark 15:21). Since Simon was forced to bear
the cross of the Lord Jesus, he was moved to believe the Lord and bring his
wife and children unto the Lord. Their being saved is truly of God who shows
mercy (see Rom. 9:15-16).
“And his mother and mine”, its meaning is
similar to what the Lord has said, “For whosoever shall do the will of my
Father who is in heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt.
12:50).
Rom. 16:14
“Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are
with them.”
YLT: “salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas,
Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren with them;”
Meaning
of Words: “Asyncritus”:
incomparable; “Phlegon”: burning; “Hermas”: the messenger of the Greek deities;
“Patrobas”: father's life; “Hermes”: the messenger of the Greek deities;
Rom. 16:15
“Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the
saints who are with them.”
YLT: “salute Philologus, and Julias,
Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them;”
Meaning
of Words: “Philologus”: fond of words,
talkative, argumentative, learned; “Julia”: whose hair is soft; “Nereus”: the
sea god in the ancient times; “Olympas”: heaven-descended, drink too much;
Literal
Meaning: “greet
Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister”,
“Philologus and Julia” might be a couple;
“Nereus and his sister” might be brother
and sister. According to this chapter, many members in the church in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “The
brethren and saints who are
with them” are mentioned twice in verse fourteen and
fifteen. Paul does not know all of them, and it indicates that spiritual
fellowship is not according to our knowledge about our brothers or the degree
that we know, but the burden in spirit and fellowship in life.
2) He who has truly entered into the fellowship
of the body of Christ shall not be restricted by time or space. As long as God
has put the burden into us, the fellowship between us shall be thus produced.
Rom. 16:16
“Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”
YLT: “salute one another in a holy kiss;
the assemblies of Christ do salute you.”
The Background: “greet
one another”, people in the western countries were
accustomed to greet by “kiss”. And it was also common in the
Literal
Meaning: “greet
one another”, kisses were more intimate than “handshake” (see
Gal. 2:9) to the people at that time.
“With a holy
kiss”, what Paul emphasizes here is holiness, not
kisses. The manner of believers’ greeting varies because of the difference of
times and regions, but the most important is “holiness”.
“The
churches of Christ greet you”, “the
churches of Christ”, it indicates that all the churches are of
Christ.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We can see from the greeting from verse
three to sixteen that the worker of the Lord is so familiar with and so
thoughtful to brothers and sisters. Therefore, his greeting is always true and
sincere, not vain.
2) The wide greeting of the apostle Paul was
just the manifestation of the full blessing of the gospel of Christ (Rom.
15:29), providing the needs of many people.
3) Paul greets brothers and sisters here all
the time, for he is one who is filled with peace. Though he was rather busy, he
was full of peace inside.
Rom. 16:17
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses,
contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
YLT: “And I call upon you, brethren, to
mark those who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching
that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;”
Meaning
of Words: “urge”: comfort,
exhort; note: observe, gaze, take aim at;
Literal
Meaning: “I urge
you, brethren, note those who… and avoid
them”, those whom Paul urged them to avoid were not
those who ate vegetables and kept the day in chapter fourteen (see Rom. 14:2,
6), for many Jews who had truly believed the Lord still kept the customs and
rules in the laws of the Jews and they agreed that the Gentiles had not to keep
them meanwhile (see Acts 15:10, 19, 28-29).
“Cause divisions and offenses, contrary
to the doctrine which you learned”, “division”: separation because of faith;
“offense”: one leaves the church of the Lord on account of being harmed; “contrary
to the doctrine which you learned”: fall away from the faith (Heb. 6:6);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Contentions, disputes, schools of opinion
are all deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). All the doctrines that make believe
divine are heresies and are of the flesh.
2) Some so-called Christians can only divide or
offend brothers and sisters or make them fall away from the faith, no matter
how sound their words are (see v.18), or how decent their attitudes are (e.g.
the Mormons). We shall “note” and “avoid” contacting with them or arguing with
them.
3) To those who cause divisions of saints or
churches or make brothers and sisters fall away the truth they have received,
the Lord does not ask us to punish them with the hands of flesh, but instructs
us to “avoid” them and not to give them chances to speak.
4) From chapter fourteen of this book, Paul
begins to speak of receiving, accepting and having fellowship with one another.
However, here there is one kind of men that we shall in no wise accept, or
receive or have fellowship with, namely, those who have gone wrong in the truth
of faith. Here, we can see that the truth of faith is the sphere within which
we can receive and accept one another. We should never go beyond this sphere.
Rom. 16:18
“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. ”
YLT: “for such our Lord Jesus Christ do
not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they
deceive the hearts of the harmless,”
Literal Meaning: “those who are such”, they are those whom
Paul reminds us to avoid. According to the context, they were those who
advocated wisdom, creeping into the church in Colosse. They taught them the
heresy of Gnostic, claiming that the spirit and the soul would be separated and
one’s soul would finally be saved and the flesh would be perished. Therefore,
men did not need to pay attention to the performance of the flesh in this age
and could indulge themselves without influencing his soul. This heresy had
features as follows:
1)
“Cause divisions”
among believers (v.17): they made believers stay in the old men and the works
of the old men so that they could not reach oneness in the new men (
2) “Offend” believers (v.17): they made believers
not walk orderly but minded things on the earth all day so that they might be
moved away from the hope of the gospel (
3) Make believers “contrary to
the doctrine which they learned” (v.17): philosophy and vain deceit, according
to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not
according to Christ (
4)
“Do
not serve our Lord Jesus Christ”, they not only did not magnify the Lord
themselves, but also not let believers walk in Christ according to Christ, or let
them hold the Head (Col. 1:18; 2:6, 8, 19).
5)
“But their own
belly”, they taught believers to indulge in the flesh and that they needed not
put to death their members upon the earth (Col. 3:5), and their purpose is to
satisfy the lusts of his flesh.
6) “And by smooth words and flattering speech
deceive the hearts of the simple”, they deceived believers by smooth words and
flattering speech so that those who had only superficial knowledge thought
their teachings were full of wisdom and richness (Col. 2:3-4, 9-10).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The god of those who advocate for the
doctrine of heresy is their belly. They mind earthly things and their end is
destruction (Phil. 3:19).
2) There is always a group of men “who do not
serve our Lord Christ at all” in the churches all through the ages, but often
make mischief “by smooth words and flattering speech” “to deceive the simple”
for the purpose of serving “their belly”. We should “avoid” such men (v.17),
not receive him into house, nor greet him so as not to partake in their wicked
works (2John 10-11).
3) We should have fellowship with all those who
are in Christ, and guard against those who are not in Christ. The difference
is: those who are in Christ are serving Christ; those who are not in Christ are
serving your belly.
YLT: “for your obedience did reach to all;
I rejoice, therefore, as regards you, and I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to
the good, and harmless as to the evil;”
Literal Meaning: “your obedience has
become known to all”, Paul praises their faith that is proclaimed in the whole
world in the outset of this epistle (
“I want you to be
wise in what is good”, “good” in the Bible
does not refer to common good things, but God Himself (see Matt. 19:17).
Therefore, “wise in what is good”. It means knowing God increasingly and
knowing His will and His principle and works.
“And simple
concerning evil”, “evil”, opposite to good, refers to
things and knowledge extraneous to God. “Simple” is ignorance. Therefore, “simple
concerning evil” means one is ignorant of things and
knowledge extraneous to God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We need not particularly study the knowledge
of heresy (simple concerning evil), but have to read the Scriptures carefully
and know the truth (wise in what is good). Then we will know what is true.
2) The right way of the growth of Christians is
to know God increasingly and forsake all that are extraneous to God gradually.
Rom. 16:20
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. ”
YLT: “and the God of the peace shall
bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ with you. Amen!”
Literal Meaning: “will crush
Satan under your feet shortly”, “shortly”: soon; “crush”: to conquer
completely; “your”, that of all saints in
Note that the paragraph from verse seventeen
to twentieth indicates that if we want to have normal church life we should
keep away from apostates who are controlled by Satan behind. Therefore, we
shall clearly know that the real enemy is Satan.
“The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you”, to crush Satan under your feet is the
removal in negative aspect. And the presence of Christ’s grace is the positive
provision.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Our God is a God of peace. He is not of
disorder but of peace (1Cor. 14:33).
2) Heresies divide men, but God assembles men.
“The God of peace” assembles those who are in division (v.17), thus bringing
about peace.
3) The first step of spiritual war is letting
the peace of Christ preside in our hearts.
4) Christians do not conquer the devil by
themselves, but the triumphant power of God.
5) The presence of the Lord will make us more
than conquer.
Rom. 16:21
“Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen,
greet you.”
YLT: “Salute you do Timotheus, my
fellow-workman, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kindred;”
Meaning
of Words: “Timothy”: dear
to God, God honors; “Lucius”: illuminative, born in the
morning; “Jason”: healer; “Sosipater”: of a safe
father;
Literal
Meaning: “Timothy, my fellow worker”, “Timothy” is the
son that Paul has borne by the gospel (1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2).
“And Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my
countrymen”, “Lucius” might be one of the prophets in the
church in
Rom. 16:22
“I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.”
YLT: “I Tertius salute you (who wrote the
letter) in the Lord;”
Meaning
of Words: “Tertius”: the
third;
Literal
Meaning: “Tertius,
who wrote this epistle”, this epistle was dictated by Paul and
written by Tertius. It was said that the epistle of the apostle Paul was often
dictated by others for his eyes were not good and Paul “wrote some words with
his own hands” in the end (see 1Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11;
Rom. 16:23
“Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the
treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. ”
YLT: “salute you doth Gaius, my host, and
of the whole assembly; salute you doth Erastus, the steward of the city, and
Quartus the brother,”
Meaning
of Words: “Gaius”: the lord; “Erastus”: beloved;
“Quartus”: the fourth;
Literal
Meaning: “Gaius”, he might be the one that was
baptized by Paul personally (1Cor. 1:14) and had accompanied Paul to visit
“Erastus, the
treasurer of the city,” “treasurer” was the one who governs the
finance of the whole city, so Erastus had a high social status. “Erastus”, he
might have accompanied Paul to
“And
Quartus, a brother”, someone guessed “Tertius” (v.22) and
“Quartus” were brothers in the flesh and were the third and the fourth
respectively.
Enlightenment
in the Word: all those who are
faithful in the Lord shall also gain trust before men in the world. Since
Erastus had good testimony and was regarded highly by the regional government.
Whatever you do, labor at it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men (Col.
3:23).
Rom. 16:24
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ”
YLT: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
with you all. Amen.”
Enlightenment
in the Word: there were
twenty-two times of greeting in this chapter, and seventeen of them were Paul’s
greetings to the saints in
Rom. 16:25
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept
secret since the world began”
YLT: “And to Him who is able to establish
you, according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to
the revelation of the secret, in the times of the ages having been kept
silent,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul concludes this glorious gospel of this
epistle by praise of glory. We can see from the praise that Paul has firm
assurance of what he preaches ---- “Him who is
able to establish you according to…”, for what he preaches are all from
revelation (Gal. 1:11-12).
2) There are three elements of establishing our
faith: a) the gospel ---- the
gracious provision of God; b) the word of Jesus Christ ---- the power in the
word of God; c) the mystery kept secret
since the world began ---- the will revealed by God.
Rom. 16:26
“but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all
nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to
the faith--”
YLT: “and now having been made manifest,
also, through prophetic writings, according to a command of the age-during God,
having been made known to all the nations for obedience of faith --”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
There are three
elements of obedience to the faith among all the
nations: a) the manifestation of God’s mystery ---- men should be sent to
preach the gospel so that the nations shall hear and believe the faith; 2) the commandment
of the everlasting God ---- one shall no longer rebellious or gainsaying; 3) by
the prophetic Scriptures made known to… ---- the Scriptures make men wise unto
salvation.
2)
Christians
should keep the commandment of the eternal God and open the words in the
Scriptures to unbelievers so that they may know the faith and believe and
follow the Lord.
YLT: “to the only wise God, through Jesus
Christ, to him glory to the ages. Amen.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul feels more and more glorious in his
praises, and his spirit becomes increasingly exultant
that he utters praise and blessings finally. All the right ministry of word
should be like this.
2)
God’s
gospel of the full salvation in God is to manifest “the manifold wisdom of Him”
(see Eph. 3:2-10). Therefore, when the apostle has finished the declaration of
the full salvation of God in Christ, he especially points that this God is an alone wise God. May glory unto
Him forever. Amen!
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Three
Features of Phoebe
A. “She is our sister” (v.1) ---- who has spiritual relationship with us
in life;
B. “She is a servant of the church” (v.1) ---- who has part with the service
in the church;
C. “She has been a helper of many” (v.2) ---- who is willing to help others;
Three
Basic Tasks of Common Believers
A. To response the calling of God to go to
serve in the place where the need is most urgent (v.1-3);
B. To have fellowship, service and pursuit with
other believers together (v.5-16);
C. To avoid false teachers and not receive
their doctrines (v.17-20).
In
Christ
A. Be fellow workers in Christ (v.3);
B. Be in Christ before… (v.7);
C. The beloved in Christ (v.8);
D. Our fellow worker
in Christ (v.9);
E. Be approved in Christ (v.10);
F. Who are in Christ (v.11);
G. Who labor in Christ (v.12);
The
Blessing of the Gospel
A. The gospel is the mystery kept secret since the
world began (v.25).
B. The mystery
of the gospel is now made manifest (v.25).
C. The everlasting God commands all nations to have the obedience to the faith (v.26).
D. The content of the gospel is to preach Jesus
Christ (v.25).
E. God establishes us through the gospel
(v.25).
F. The gospel makes glory unto the alone wise
God forever (v.27).
The
Effect and Nature of the Gospel
A. The gospel can make men stand firm (v.25).
B. The gospel preaches “Jesus Christ” by “men”
(v.25).
C. The gospel manifests the mysterious counsel
of God (v.25-26).
D. The gospel began from the past eternity and
prophets in the Old Testament until now (v.25-26).
E. The gospel is for people of all nations (the
whole mankind) (v.26).
F. The gospel gives glory to the alone wise God
through Jesus Christ (v.27).
See
the Praise in the End From the Book of Romans
A.
According to my gospel
(v.25) ---- according to my glad tidings (
B.
And
the preaching of Jesus Christ (v.25) ---- the word of Christ (
C.
According
to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began (v.25) ----
mystery (
D.
…is able to establish you
(v.25) ---- the Lord is able to make him stand. (
E.
Now
the mystery is made manifest (v.26) ---- now without law righteousness of God
is manifested (
F.
According
to the commandment of the everlasting God (v.) ---- it is of God will call
(Rom. 9:12, 15-16, 19);
G.
By
the prophetic Scriptures made known (v.) ---- God had promised afore by his
prophets in the holy scriptures (
H.
The
alone wise God (v.27) ---- O depth of riches both of wisdom and knowledge of
God (Rom. 11:33);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou