American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Romans 16
1
I commend to you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Reference
2
That you receive her in the Lord, as becomes saints, and that you assist her in whatever business she has need of you: for she has been a succorer of many, and of myself also.
Reference
3
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 18:26
1 Corinthians 16:19
2 Timothy 4:19
1 Corinthians 16:16
References Christ
Romans 16:9
4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 John 3:16
5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Reference
Love
Philemon 1:2
Parallel theme
Colossians 4:15
1 Corinthians 16:19
1 Corinthians 16:15
Matthew 18:20
7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Romans 16:21
Romans 16:11
Colossians 4:10
References Christ
Philemon 1:23
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 1:22
8
Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
10
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 8:2
1 Corinthians 11:19
1 Timothy 3:10
2 Corinthians 2:9
2 Corinthians 8:22
Philippians 2:22
2 Timothy 4:19
References Christ
Romans 14:18
1 Peter 1:7
11
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
People
12
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord.
Reference
People
14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers which are with them.
People
15
Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
Reference
People
Holy
Romans 16:2
16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Reference
Holy
1 Corinthians 16:20
2 Corinthians 13:12
1 Thessalonians 5:26
Parallel theme
Acts 20:37
References Christ
1 Peter 5:14
17
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Reference
18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 7:15
Philippians 3:19
1 Timothy 6:5
2 Thessalonians 2:10
Proverbs 22:3
References Christ
Matthew 24:24
References Lord
Micah 3:5
Word
Colossians 2:4
2 Peter 2:3
Jude 1:16
19
For your obedience is come abroad to all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Reference
20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Reference
Grace
1 Thessalonians 5:28
Revelation 22:21
Parallel theme
Luke 10:19
Genesis 3:15
Romans 8:37
Peace
Romans 15:33
References Christ
Revelation 12:10
References God
1 John 3:8
References Lord
Zechariah 10:5
Malachi 4:3
21
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
Reference
People
22
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, salute you in the Lord.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Galatians 6:11
23
Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.
Reference
People
24
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25
Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 2:7
Ephesians 1:9
2 Corinthians 4:3
Acts 20:32
Matthew 13:17
References Christ
Acts 9:20
1 Corinthians 1:23
References Jesus
Romans 2:16
2 Thessalonians 2:14
Ephesians 3:9
26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Reference
Creation
Colossians 1:26
2 Timothy 1:10
Eternal Life
Isaiah 40:28
1 Timothy 1:17
1 John 5:20
Faith
Romans 1:5
Galatians 3:8
Word
Romans 15:18
Romans 15:4
Romans 1:2
Summary of Romans 16
Romans 16 closes the letter by moving from Paul's large teaching about salvation, faith, grace, Christian living, and unity to a very personal list of people who were part of the early Christian network, showing that the Gospel was spreading through real relationships, homes, families, travelers, workers, and faithful servants.
Paul begins by recommending Phoebe, a respected Christian woman from Cenchreae, and asks the Roman believers to welcome and help her, which suggests that she was trusted to carry Paul's letter from the eastern part of the Roman Empire to the church in Rome.
He then sends greetings to many individuals, including Priscilla and Aquila, Andronicus and Junia, Mary, Rufus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, and many others, recognizing their hard work, courage, hospitality, friendship, and faithfulness.
The long list shows that the Roman church was not simply one large group but was likely made up of several smaller house churches, with believers from different ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds worshiping together as one Christian family.
Paul then warns the believers to watch out for people who create division and confusion, telling them to remain wise about what is good and careful about evil, because protecting Christian unity requires both love and spiritual discernment.
The chapter ends with greetings from Paul's companions and a final praise to God, reminding readers that the Gospel is God's revealed plan to bring people from every nation into faith and obedience through Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Romans 16 gives us one of the most valuable pictures of the personal network behind the early Christian movement, because Paul names more than two dozen people connected with the church in Rome and his wider missionary work.
The chapter begins with Phoebe, who came from Cenchreae, the eastern harbor of Corinth.
Paul describes her as a servant of the church and someone who had helped many people, including himself, and his strong recommendation suggests that she was a trusted Christian leader and supporter.
Paul's request that the Roman believers receive her and assist her also makes it very likely that she was the person who carried the letter of Romans to Rome, although the text does not directly state this.
The greetings to Priscilla and Aquila are especially important because they appear several times in the New Testament as Jewish Christians who worked alongside Paul.
They had lived in Corinth, later worked in Ephesus, and were associated with Rome, showing how Christian workers and families moved throughout the Roman Empire.
Their home hosted a Christian congregation, demonstrating the importance of house churches in the first century.
The Roman church was probably not one large congregation meeting in a dedicated building, because Christians generally gathered in private homes, often in groups small enough for shared meals, teaching, prayer, and personal relationships.
The names Paul lists also provide clues about the social diversity of the Roman church.
Some names were common among wealthy Romans, while others were especially common among slaves and freed people, suggesting that Christianity crossed normal social boundaries.
The names of Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, and other women also show that women were active members of the early Christian network and were remembered for their work and service.
Paul's reference to Andronicus and Junia is particularly significant because he calls them his relatives and fellow prisoners and says they were well known among the apostles, indicating that they were respected early followers of Christ.
Paul's warning about people who create divisions is also important because the early Christian movement was not free from false teaching, disagreements, and competing ideas.
Traveling teachers and public speakers were common throughout the Roman world, so Christian communities needed to carefully evaluate what they were being taught.
The greeting from Tertius, who wrote down Paul's words, gives us a rare glimpse into the production of ancient letters.
Paul likely dictated the letter while Tertius acted as his writing assistant or secretary, recording Paul's message and adding his own personal greeting.
Paul also mentions Gaius, who provided hospitality, showing once again how important Christian homes were to the movement.
He mentions Erastus, described as the city treasurer, although we cannot be completely certain that this is the same Erastus connected with an archaeological inscription found at Corinth.
The final section returns to one of Paul's greatest themes: the Gospel is not merely a message for one ethnic group but is God's plan to bring all nations to faith and obedience.
The central message of Romans 16 is that the Gospel creates a worldwide family of people who serve God together, with every person playing a different but valuable role.
Paul's list of names reminds us that Christianity was spread not only through famous apostles but also through ordinary people who opened their homes, helped missionaries, supported churches, suffered for their faith, served others, and faithfully worked behind the scenes.
The chapter also shows that Christian leadership and service were not limited to one type of person, because women and men from different social backgrounds were actively involved in the life of the church.
At the same time, Paul warns that unity must be protected, because false teaching and selfish behavior can divide a Christian community.
The final message is one of confidence and hope: God is able to strengthen His people through the Gospel, reveal His saving plan to the nations, defeat evil, and bring everything toward His wise and eternal purpose.
Romans therefore ends where the entire letter ultimately leads—not with human achievement, but with God's grace, God's wisdom, God's power, and God's glory through Jesus Christ.
Paul begins by recommending Phoebe, a respected Christian woman from Cenchreae, and asks the Roman believers to welcome and help her, which suggests that she was trusted to carry Paul's letter from the eastern part of the Roman Empire to the church in Rome.
He then sends greetings to many individuals, including Priscilla and Aquila, Andronicus and Junia, Mary, Rufus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, and many others, recognizing their hard work, courage, hospitality, friendship, and faithfulness.
The long list shows that the Roman church was not simply one large group but was likely made up of several smaller house churches, with believers from different ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds worshiping together as one Christian family.
Paul then warns the believers to watch out for people who create division and confusion, telling them to remain wise about what is good and careful about evil, because protecting Christian unity requires both love and spiritual discernment.
The chapter ends with greetings from Paul's companions and a final praise to God, reminding readers that the Gospel is God's revealed plan to bring people from every nation into faith and obedience through Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Romans 16 gives us one of the most valuable pictures of the personal network behind the early Christian movement, because Paul names more than two dozen people connected with the church in Rome and his wider missionary work.
The chapter begins with Phoebe, who came from Cenchreae, the eastern harbor of Corinth.
Paul describes her as a servant of the church and someone who had helped many people, including himself, and his strong recommendation suggests that she was a trusted Christian leader and supporter.
Paul's request that the Roman believers receive her and assist her also makes it very likely that she was the person who carried the letter of Romans to Rome, although the text does not directly state this.
The greetings to Priscilla and Aquila are especially important because they appear several times in the New Testament as Jewish Christians who worked alongside Paul.
They had lived in Corinth, later worked in Ephesus, and were associated with Rome, showing how Christian workers and families moved throughout the Roman Empire.
Their home hosted a Christian congregation, demonstrating the importance of house churches in the first century.
The Roman church was probably not one large congregation meeting in a dedicated building, because Christians generally gathered in private homes, often in groups small enough for shared meals, teaching, prayer, and personal relationships.
The names Paul lists also provide clues about the social diversity of the Roman church.
Some names were common among wealthy Romans, while others were especially common among slaves and freed people, suggesting that Christianity crossed normal social boundaries.
The names of Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, and other women also show that women were active members of the early Christian network and were remembered for their work and service.
Paul's reference to Andronicus and Junia is particularly significant because he calls them his relatives and fellow prisoners and says they were well known among the apostles, indicating that they were respected early followers of Christ.
Paul's warning about people who create divisions is also important because the early Christian movement was not free from false teaching, disagreements, and competing ideas.
Traveling teachers and public speakers were common throughout the Roman world, so Christian communities needed to carefully evaluate what they were being taught.
The greeting from Tertius, who wrote down Paul's words, gives us a rare glimpse into the production of ancient letters.
Paul likely dictated the letter while Tertius acted as his writing assistant or secretary, recording Paul's message and adding his own personal greeting.
Paul also mentions Gaius, who provided hospitality, showing once again how important Christian homes were to the movement.
He mentions Erastus, described as the city treasurer, although we cannot be completely certain that this is the same Erastus connected with an archaeological inscription found at Corinth.
The final section returns to one of Paul's greatest themes: the Gospel is not merely a message for one ethnic group but is God's plan to bring all nations to faith and obedience.
The central message of Romans 16 is that the Gospel creates a worldwide family of people who serve God together, with every person playing a different but valuable role.
Paul's list of names reminds us that Christianity was spread not only through famous apostles but also through ordinary people who opened their homes, helped missionaries, supported churches, suffered for their faith, served others, and faithfully worked behind the scenes.
The chapter also shows that Christian leadership and service were not limited to one type of person, because women and men from different social backgrounds were actively involved in the life of the church.
At the same time, Paul warns that unity must be protected, because false teaching and selfish behavior can divide a Christian community.
The final message is one of confidence and hope: God is able to strengthen His people through the Gospel, reveal His saving plan to the nations, defeat evil, and bring everything toward His wise and eternal purpose.
Romans therefore ends where the entire letter ultimately leads—not with human achievement, but with God's grace, God's wisdom, God's power, and God's glory through Jesus Christ.