The Gospel’s Impact in Rome and Corinth
Lesson 28 Notes: Romans 16
“To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (Romans 16:27)
When you look at Christians around you, what do you see? Perhaps you see groups divided by denomination, ethnicity, or social agendas. If you look more closely, can you also glimpse Christ’s sacrificial love for the world expressed in a smile, a kind word, and the gospel? Every believer receives new life in Christ. However, daily tasks, pressing burdens, and unexpected difficulties might obscure that new life from our view. We can lose sight of God’s wisdom and Christ’s beauty progressively growing in others. Insecurity often tempts people, Christian and non-Christian, to look for flaws, failings, and weaknesses in the people around them. What if everyone could see believers as God sees them—in Christ?
Paul saw his fellow believers as new creations in Christ. He greeted them with love and gratitude for their gospel partnership. He highlighted the gifts God had given them and the work God had done in and through their lives. He exalted God as the wise and glorious source of the miraculously transformative gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul saw himself as united in Christ with all believers, no matter their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. People matter. Godly relationships reflect the transformative power of the gospel.
Paul opened his letter by telling believers in Rome how he constantly prayed for them.1 Though he had never visited Rome, Paul knew there were no strangers in Christ nor boundaries to separate His people. Before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul persecuted Christ’s Church. But immediately after Paul’s conversion, Jesus sent Ananias to greet, pray for, and help Paul as a brother in Christ.2 As Paul closed his letter, he extended that same warmth to the believers in Rome. God inspired Romans 16, making it as important as Paul’s doctrinal and devotional passages.3
God’s Loving People – Romans 16:1-16
Paul expressed deep love for fellow believers and offered appreciation for their roles in advancing the gospel. We can learn much from Paul’s godly relationships in Corinth and Rome.
Paul began his personal greetings by giving Phoebe, “our sister,” his commendation. He urged the believers in Rome to receive, honor, and help her as an accepted servant of Christ.4 Although her name is associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, Phoebe had become a Christian. Paul’s description seems to indicate that she served the church at Cenchreae, a port of Corinth, as a deacon. She may have been a wealthy widow or businesswoman, like Lydia.5 Paul trusted Phoebe to deliver his letter to the believers in Rome. Phoebe carried a wonderful treasure—the inspired Word of God! In safeguarding Paul’s letter, Phoebe continues to serve the Church today.
In verses 3-16, Paul sent his warm greetings to beloved members of Christ’s Church.
Priscilla and Aquila (16:3-5a) – From Acts 18, we learn that Aquila was a Jewish tentmaker from the Black Sea province of Pontus. He and his wife, Priscilla (Prisca), lived in Rome until Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from the capital. The couple resettled in Corinth, where they met Paul, a fellow tentmaker. When Paul left Corinth for Syria, he took them with him. We next encounter Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, where they hosted a house church.6 God used this faithful couple to explain the gospel to another influential evangelist, Apollos. Priscilla and Aquila seem to have worked as a team, thus paired together with Priscilla noted first.
When Paul wrote this letter, Priscilla and Aquila had returned to Rome. Paul called them “co-workers in Christ Jesus” who had “risked their lives” for him. Possibly they protected Paul when idol makers in Ephesus rioted.7 Paul said that “all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.” It seems that Priscilla and Aquila welcomed diverse believers to worship in their home in Rome. Paul also greeted these believers.
Epenetus (16:5b) – Paul called Epenetus his “dear friend” and “the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” The Roman province of Asia is modern-day western Turkey. Perhaps Epenetus came to faith through Paul’s evangelism there. His faith endeared him to Paul’s heart.
Mary (16:6) – Because Mary was a common name, this Mary is likely unique from the other New Testament women with the same name. Aquila and Priscilla may have told Paul how hard Mary had worked for the church in Rome. Perhaps she labored in starting or growing the church. Paul honored her for using her gifts to help others.8 God recognizes and rewards those who help His people.
Andronicus and Junia (16:7) – Paul greeted Andronicus and Junia, Jewish believers who many scholars believe were husband and wife. They had endured prison for their faith in Christ. “Outstanding among the apostles” probably means that the apostles thought highly of them. If Paul meant that Andronicus and Junia were themselves apostles, he might have been speaking of them generally as messengers for Jesus Christ.9 Paul highlighted that they believed in Christ during the Church’s early days, even before he did.10
Ampliatus (16:8) – Paul esteemed Ampliatus as a “dear friend in the Lord.” In the cemetery of Domitilla, an early Christian catacomb, a tomb honors a person named “Ampliatus.” The single name suggests this man was likely enslaved, but the tomb’s elaborate style points to significant status in the Church. We cannot be certain this was the same Ampliatus, but it illustrates a powerful reality: Unlike any institution before or since, in Christ’s Church Jews and Gentiles, the oppressed and the privileged, and male and female live, worship, and die together as family. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul declared, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”11 The Church’s gospel mission to proclaim humanity’s dignity as God’s image-bearers remains an unfinished task in this world where violence, prejudice, marginalization, and human exploitation persist.
Urbanus, Stachys, and Apelles (16:9-10a) – Paul called Urbanus his “co-worker in Christ” and Stachys his “dear friend.” Urbanus means “city-dweller,” and Stachys means “ear of corn,” which may point to a rural background. Their names tell us they had different experiences, but Paul’s greeting demonstrated love, honor, and loyalty among the church’s diverse members.
Apelles means “called.” Paul honored him because his “fidelity to Christ has stood the test.” Apelles had been called, tested, and proven faithful in Christ. His life bears witness of Christ’s power to make His servants, the members of His body, able to stand.12 Jesus never abandons His bride, the Church, when tests and trials come.
The Households of Aristobulus and Narcissus (16:10b-11) – Paul did not greet Aristobulus or Narcissus personally but instead greeted their households. Roman households included enslaved people as well as family. Herod the Great’s grandson, Aristobulus, had lived in Rome. When Aristobulus died, the emperor would have inherited his slaves, who would have continued to be known as “the household of Aristobulus.” Paul may have been greeting these servants associated with Aristobulus. Paul’s mention of Herodian, a Jew and a name connected to Herod, adds strength to this theory.
History mentions a wealthy freedman named Narcissus who exerted great influence over Emperor Claudius. However, when Nero became emperor, he executed Narcissus. The household of Narcissus may have been this man’s family and servants. Whether they were rich or poor, Paul had the members of these households in his heart.
Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis (16:12) – The names Tryphena and Tryphosa come from the same word, which means “to live delicately or daintily.” The women were probably sisters. Paul praised “Delicate” and “Dainty” for their ongoing, hard work in the Lord. Paul added that his “dear friend” Persis, a name that has Persian origin, “has worked very hard in the Lord.” Paul highly valued and honored the work of women in the Church.
Rufus and His Mother (16:13) – Mark’s gospel, likely written especially for the Gentile believers in Rome, mentions Rufus and his brother Alexander as sons of Simon from Cyrene—the man who carried Jesus’s cross.13 It seems quite possible the Rufus whom Paul greeted was the son of the man forced to carry Christ’s cross. Simon would have told his wife and sons about Jesus and all that he witnessed during that Passover in Jerusalem. Could Simon have been one of the Jews from Cyrene who first preached the gospel to the Gentiles?14 Whatever the case, Paul dearly loved Rufus and his mother. Paul said Rufus was “chosen in the Lord,” and his mother “has been a mother to me.”
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas (16:14) – We know nothing about these dear believers except that Paul warmly greeted them. Perhaps they lived or worked together in a common trade or household. Were they enslaved, free, rich, or poor? Paul mentioned “other brothers and sisters with them,” so this group may have been a house church. God knew the details of their lives and loved them. They were people for whom Christ died.
Philologus, Julia, Nereus, Olympas, and the Lord’s People with Them (16:15) – Perhaps this group comprised another house church. History records that a Christian named Nereus was the chief officer in the household of the Romans aristocrats, Flavius Clemens and his wife, Domitilla. Through Nereus, the gospel of God’s grace entered this prominent household. In AD 95, Domitilla’s uncle, Emperor Domitian, executed Flavius and exiled Domitilla because of their faith in Christ. Church tradition records Nereus as one of the countless faithful believers who died under Domitian’s bloodthirsty rule.
A Holy Kiss (16:16) – “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” More than simply greeting others politely, according to cultural custom, Paul exhorted believers to overflow with love for others from the fullness of their love for Christ. Because Christ loved them first,15 they could love Him and other believers.16 One Spirit unites believers,17 making them one body. Believers who belong to Jesus belong to one another.18
Christ’s Beloved Bride
Like Phoebe and Paul’s other dear friends, every person in Christ’s body, the Church, honors Jesus and advances God’s redemptive plan through eternally significant tasks.1 But believers, who together make up the Church invisible, are not only servants. The Church is also the beloved bride of Christ, for whom He died.2 The Church was the joy God set before Christ at the cross.3 The Church will one day be united with Christ for eternity at the wedding supper of the Lamb.4 The good news of salvation by grace through faith transforms God’s enemies into Christ’s beloved.
Paul’s overwhelming expression of love for fellow believers reflected Christ’s own love for His Church. Paul saw and accepted each believer as a treasured new creation in Christ.5 He expressed gratitude for the unique contributions of the diverse believers in Rome and Corinth. All of God’s redeemed people comprise the Church. No believer is more valuable than any other because all belong to Christ.6 Rather than seek special treatment or position, Paul applied his own teaching. He loved sincerely and honored other believers above himself.7
When we don’t view believers as Christ’s beloved bride and united members of His body, we may compete with others for position and influence within our churches. Lack of love for others may lead us to dishonor, disregard, or divide those for whom Christ died. When we cannot view Christians as Jesus does, we miss the blessing of God’s transformational work in and through their lives. We miss the wonder of believers working side by side in service to God and others.
The truth about the Church invites believers to rejoice in their unity with Christ and one another as His beloved bride. Christ’s loving work through His Church welcomes unbelievers to become a part of His body through faith. Believers who love Christ will love, help, and honor those He loves. They will seek, foster, and celebrate Christ’s life in the people His blood has redeemed. And, like Paul, they will protect Christ’s bride, every member of the Church, from deception, harm, and division—all for God’s glory. How can you openly express love for Christ’s bride?
1. Valuable tasks: Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 2:10
2. Christ loved the Church: Ephesians 5:25
3. Joy set before Christ: Hebrews 12:2
4. Lamb’s wedding supper: Revelation 19:6-9
5. Accepted in Christ: Romans 14:3; 15:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17
6. Equal value: Galatians 3:26-29
7. Paul’s teaching: Romans 12:9-10
God’s Wise Plan – Romans 16:17-27
After his greetings, Paul offered a strong warning that expressed his love for the Church and his confidence in God’s mighty power. Paul wanted nothing to harm the people he cherished—the Church for whom Jesus died. True love naturally seeks the spiritual safety of others, who flourish by God’s grace.
Paul urgently warned about people who “cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.” Unfortunately, when Paul finally reached Rome, he encountered false teaching and division. From prison, he wrote to the Philippians about the problems in Rome.19 Some teachers displayed good will and supported Paul because he was imprisoned for the gospel. But others preached about Christ out of envy and rivalry. Their selfish ambition led them to stir up trouble for Paul while he was in prison. These people were “not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.”
Paul did not tell believers to harm or debate false teachers. He simply warns believers then and now to “watch out for” them and “keep away from them.” When Paul said, “Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil,” he echoed what Jesus told His disciples.20 To avoid division and deception, believers can dwell on Jesus Christ, God’s promises, and the gospel’s unifying hope.21 Believers overcome evil with good.22
Victory Promised (16:20a) – Satan, “the father of lies,” incites those who try to divide and deceive God’s people.23 In the beginning, when Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lies and disobeyed God, sin corrupted them and their descendants. Before Adam and Eve felt sin’s full consequences, God promised to send the Redeemer to defeat Satan. God promised that the Lord Jesus Christ, the woman’s offspring, would crush Satan’s head.24 Jesus kept this promise at the cross. As believers place their faith in Jesus and live for Him, God crushes Satan under their feet. Satan remains the fierce enemy of God and His people, but Jesus is the ultimate victor.
Blessing Proclaimed (16:20b) – Paul normally ended his letters with a benediction, pronouncing God’s blessing on the letter’s recipients. In Romans, Paul announced one blessing after another. Two previous benedictions spoke of hope, joy, peace, and trust in God.25 Paul added to those here: “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” In Romans, Paul exalted God’s gracious gift of righteousness to unrighteous people through Christ. We will never exhaust the profound blessings of God’s limitless grace in Jesus. God’s boundless grace sets Christianity apart from every other religion.
Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome while he was in Corinth. The letter’s final greetings reveal that the church in Corinth partnered with Paul and his team to support the church in Rome. Gaius, a Roman nobleman and Christian, opened his home to Paul. It appears that members of the churches in Corinth and surrounding areas gathered in Gaius’s home to hear Paul dictate the letter. The believers with Paul greeted their fellow believers in the distant Roman capital.
Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (16:21) – The first of these final greetings were from Paul’s ministry team: “Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.” Paul met young Timothy in Lystra during his second missionary journey. Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a godly Jewish mother.26 Typically, after establishing a Gentile church, Paul moved on to preach the gospel somewhere else. Timothy often stayed behind, entrusted to strengthen the young churches.27 Paul trusted Timothy because of his genuine love for Christ’s bride, the Church.28
Paul ministered alongside believers from many areas and churches. Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater probably joined Paul in Corinth to help him take a financial gift from Gentile believers to Jerusalem. Although Luke the physician accompanied Paul at times, Lucius is a distinct and unrelated name. Perhaps he was a leader from the church in Antioch or another believer who shared Paul’s mission. Jason was the name of Paul’s host in Thessalonica.29 Sosipater was most likely the Berean believer Sopater, a version of the same name.30 If so, Sopater persevered with Paul through Greece on the way to Jerusalem.
Tertius (16:22) – Paul seems to have dictated many of his letters to a secretary, adding a handwritten greeting at the end.31 On this occasion, Tertius captured Paul’s words. Tertius’s name means “three,” a common name for a third son. Tertius added a greeting of his own: “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” Tertius united with believers in Rome through their common identity in Christ.
Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus (16:23) – Paul traveled with someone named Gaius from Derbe.32 However, the Gaius of Romans 16 is most likely not the same person. This Gaius appears to be a wealthy host of “the whole church” in Corinth. Paul baptized Gaius, making him one of the earliest believers in Corinth.33 Acts speaks of an early believer and prominent Corinthian named Titius Justus, who welcomed Paul after the synagogue forced the apostle out.34 Because Roman citizens had three names, Gaius may be Gaius Titius Justus. He seems to have supported Paul and the local church while people around him resolutely rejected the gospel.
Erastus served his community through public office. Archaeologists have uncovered an inscription near a first-century sidewalk in Corinth: “Erastus in return for his aedileship laid [this pavement] at his own expense.” Officials regularly paid for public projects. Erastus seems to have held multiple positions. In Romans 16, Paul called him “the city’s director of public works” or treasurer. An aedile could have been a director, but Erastus would not have served as treasurer at the same time. Through these various offices, Erastus may have broadly influenced Corinth for many years.
Quartus’s name means “fourth.” Quartus may have been a servant or an enslaved person, but he mattered to God and Paul.
In the early Church, all were brothers and sisters in Christ—each one important. They determined to live together for the glory of God, strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Paul ended his letter to the Romans with a doxology—worshipful praise to God: “To him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ.” Some manuscripts of Romans place this doxology at the end of chapter 14 or even 15 rather than at the end of chapter 16. In those manuscripts, the greetings from verses 21-23 end the chapter and verse 20’s benediction is repeated as verse 24. The repeated benediction in verse 24 does not appear in modern translations. The doxology of verses 25-27 fits here, at the conclusion of this powerful letter, prompting every believing heart to worship God.
No human discovery or insight matches the gospel’s transformational power. The gospel’s origin and power come from God, declaring what God has done. Paul said the gospel is the message proclaimed about Jesus Christ, “in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God.” The gospel clearly explains God’s timeless plan to rescue sinners from His wrath through a Savior, His Son Jesus Christ. God makes His plan known so the world “might come to the obedience that comes from faith.” Obedience from faith in Christ unites every believer with Christ and one another. Godly relationships reflect the transformative power of the gospel. How can we conclude, except as Paul does? “To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
Take to Heart
Paul greeted believers in Rome as dear friends, trusted coworkers, and beloved members of Christ’s Church. Throughout his letter, Paul explained the new life and righteousness that Jews and Gentiles shared through faith in Christ. In Romans 16, Paul demonstrated what gospel-transformed relationships could look like. Jesus unites believers in Himself across culture’s widest divides—slaves and masters, rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles, men and women. Christ’s love and God’s righteousness given by grace through faith guarantee the value and beauty of each believer.
What could threaten the unity Jesus makes possible for believers? People cause divisions in the Church through selfish ambition and false teaching. Paul strongly cautioned believers to avoid anyone who divides Christ’s body. One day, Jesus will restore all creation, but today He restores relationships—between God and people and between believers. Satan opposes God’s restoration plan, which was revealed in Jesus Christ and is proclaimed by Christ’s Church. As God draws people from every nation to believe in and obey Him, He will crush Satan under their feet and receive all glory forever through Jesus Christ!
Do you ever feel unseen, unloved, or misunderstood? Maybe you feel like no one knows your name or appreciates your contributions. God sees you and loves you. God’s purpose has always been to live in loving fellowship with people. All are invited to enjoy relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not yet chosen to live in fellowship with God and His people forever through faith in Christ, will you do so today? Ask your Group Leader about the BSF resource called Finding Hope.
If you are a believer, how does the quality of your Christian relationships reflect your loving union with Christ? Paul showed us what it looks like to build others up in love and Christlikeness. If you are struggling to love others sincerely, begin by asking God to help you see people as He does. Every person bears God’s image, and every believer is your dearly loved brother or sister in Christ. While we seek relationships based on common interests or shared life experiences, Paul showed us that faith in Jesus and passion to spread the gospel provide a solid foundation for Christian relationships. Build on that foundation with prayer for others. Ask God to bless fellow believers, work in their circumstances, and meet their needs. Like Paul, do you appreciate those who serve your church well? As you carry their burdens and celebrate their victories, you display Christ’s love for His bride.
Through His prophets, God announced His predetermined plan to establish peace, which is now revealed through Jesus’s atoning death in our place. At the cross, Jesus triumphed over Satan. When believers choose to obey God and love others, they anticipate Satan’s final defeat. God receives glory as believers live for Him, no matter the consequences. God has established Christ’s Church by the gospel. How could Christian unity and fellowship strengthen you to withstand Satan’s opposition? Where do you, your family, or your church need to embrace good and shun evil? Will you ask God to help you see loving obedience as a way to overcome evil? The God of peace will crush Satan under the Church’s feet as believers live by the truth of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
1. Paul’s prayers: Romans 1:8-10
2. Paul’s conversion: Acts 9:1-19
3. God’s inspired Word: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
4. Accept Christ’s servant: Romans 14:4
5. Lydia: Acts 16:12-15
6. Home church: 1 Corinthians 16:19
7. Riot in Ephesus: Acts 19:23-41
8. Gift of helping: 1 Corinthians 12:28
9. Apostles beyond the Twelve: Acts 14:14
10. Before Paul’s conversion: Acts 8:1; 9:1-30
11. One in Christ Jesus: Galatians 3:28
12. Christ’s servants stand: Romans 14:4
13. Rufus and Simon: Mark 15:21
14. Jews preach the gospel: Acts 11:20
15. Christ loved first: 1 John 4:19
16. Love others: 1 John 3:10-18; 4:7-12
17. One Spirit: Ephesians 4:3-6
18. Belonging: Romans 12:5
19. Paul’s report on Rome: Philippians 1:15-17
20. Jesus warned His disciples: Matthew 10:16
21. Dwell on Christ: Romans 15:5-6; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:16
22. Overcome evil: Romans 12:21
23. Father of lies: John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
24. Satan’s defeat promised: Genesis 3:15
25. Benedictions: Romans 15:13, 33
26. Timothy and family: Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15
27. Strengthen young churches: 1 Timothy 1:3
28. Paul trusted Timothy: Philippians 2:20-22
29. Lucius and Jason: Acts 13:1; 17:1-7
30. Accompanied by Sopater: Acts 20:4
31. Handwritten greeting: 1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:17
32. Gaius from Derbe: Acts 20:4
33. Gaius baptized: 1 Corinthians 1:14
34. Titius Justus: Acts 18:7
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