Romans 16 (WEB)
I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.
Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me.
Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers
who are with them.
Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
🔑 Key Points
1. The gospel lives in real people
Paul closes this monumental letter with a long list of names — Phoebe, Prisca, Aquila, Andronicus, Junias and many others. Sproul draws out that the gospel is not an abstract system; it takes flesh in a community of men and women who serve, sacrifice, and risk their lives for one another.
2. Remember the servants
Phoebe is commended as a servant and helper of many, including Paul himself, and Prisca and Aquila laid down their own necks for Paul's life. Sproul emphasizes that Scripture openly honors faithful, often unsung labor in the church — gratitude and remembrance are part of Christian discipleship.
3. Watch for the divisive
Midway through the greetings, Paul warns sharply about those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine learned, who by smooth words and flattering speech deceive simple hearts. Sproul urges discernment: grace and truth travel together, and the church must guard its simplicity toward evil.
4. The mystery now revealed
In the doxology, Sproul highlights the eternal purpose hidden since the world began but now made manifest through the prophetic writings and revealed to all nations for the obedience of faith. The God who ordained salvation from before time has brought it to light in Jesus Christ.
5. Establish your whole life in grace
The letter that began with grace (1:5) ends with grace: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.' Sproul beckons listeners to establish their whole lives in the grace of Jesus Christ — remembering, resting in, and living faithfully by the gospel takes a lifetime.
💬 Discussion Questions
Paul greeted more than two dozen people by name in this one chapter. Who are the Phoebe's and Prisca's in your life — the unsung servants you should name and thank this week?
Paul warns that false teachers come with 'smooth words and flattering speech.' Where do you need to grow in discernment without losing gentleness?
Sproul says learning the gospel can be simple, but remembering and resting in it takes a lifetime. What practical disciplines keep you resting in grace, not just knowing it?
Romans ends where it began — with grace. Whatever this week holds, rest your whole life on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
