Content of the sixteenth chapter: The Apostle presents to us for imitation a number of pious people and directs us to remain faithful.
The Apostle Commends Phoebe, Greets Various Christians, and Admonishes All to be Faithful I commend unto you Phehe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto
Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amelias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they
222 Commentary on Romans that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, hut their own helly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet 1 would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen (16:1-20).
I commend unto you Phebe our sister (16:1). This letter was sent through Phebe, was written by the hand of Tertius, and was dictated by the Apostle in Corinth. Cenchrea was a port or harbor of the Corinthians.
As becometh saints (16:2). By "saints" we are to understand, not those who are to be received, but those who are to receive. For not only should the saints receive the saints, but {all men should receive them) whoever they may be. But this especially becomes and behooves the saints. So Christ says in Matthew 5:46: "If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"
Here we might ask how the Apostle could enumerate their names, though as yet he had not been in Rome nor had seen them, but longed to see them, as he tells us in 1:11; 15:23. In reply
I suggest that he had heard of them by way of report. So he writes in 1:8: "Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."
Of course, it seems strange how well he describes their (Christian) works, which rather he first should have learned (while in Rome).
However, I judge, they all were people from Achaia and Corinth whom here the Aposde recommends, so that they (the Christians at Rome) might become acquainted with them and salute them (receive them as brethren) . He here apparently follows the Hebrew custom according to which all names (of the members) were recorded in the synagogues according to their tribes.
The Apostle Sends Greetings From Friends, a Farewell Benediction and a Cordial Doxology Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Commentary on Romans 223
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, hut now is made manifest, and hy the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of tlie everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; to God only wise, be glory through ]esus Christ for ever. Amen (16:21-27).
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and tlie preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (16:25). By "mystery" the Apostle here understands the mystery of Christ's incarnation (and, redemption).
The Gospel is nothing else than the proclamation of Christ. So he himself writes in 1:1-4: "Separated unto the gospel of God . . . concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."
Which was kept secret since the world began (16:25). The words "Which was kept secret since the world began" may be understood in the sense that it was "kept secret from all eternity."
By the scriptures of the prophets (is) made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (16:26). The question here might be asked how the Gospel was kept secret and yet was known to the prophets. (We answer that both are true), it is not merely made manifest now, but it was known already to the prophets.
...t not only for its biblial perspective. It serves as a valuable introduction to the study of Martin Luther's own spiritual pilgrimage and the roots of the Reformation.
The Introduction to this commentary was used by the Spirit of God to impress the truth of Christ's salvation upon the heart of John Wesley at the memorable meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, on May 24, 1738.
This practical, easy-to-read and stimulating commentary, complete with explanatory notes and headings by Theodore Mueller, will acquaint the reader with the fundamentals of Luther's evangelical teachings.
". . . Beyond question, Luther's Romans is one of the great books of Christian history and well deserves the devotional reading by believers." —Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse
"A must for the preacher's library because of its historical influence." —Baptist Bible College Bulletin "A worthy contribution to present-day understanding of our spiritual ancestry." — Christian Herald
Martin Luther .483-1546) was born in Germany and is ; protest, The Ninety-five Theses, which he _ door of the castle church of Wittenberg (Oct.
31, 1517). The great reformer clearly stated his belief in sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).
Among the many books written by Luther are: Commentary on Romans, Commentary on Galatians, and Commentary - on First and Second
ISBN D-AE5L4-3:Ln-D Peter and Jude, published by Kregel Publi90000 cations.