1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 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.
In his epistles, Paul often sent personal greetings to people he knew, and this chapter contains more than the usual number. Phoebe though, was not in Rome. She was apparently one of the group which would deliver this letter to the churches in Rome, or did she travel alone? No other person is included in Paul’s commendation. Cenchrea (cf Acts 18:18) was the principal port of Corinth, which is thought to have been Paul’s location when he dictated the book of Romans.
Commentators offer various thoughts as to what is meant by Phoebe being a servant (diakonon) of the church. Liberal scholars say she was a pastor of the church in support of female clergy members. Others think she was one of the aged women which were encouraged to teach the younger ones (Titus 2:3-5). It is also popular to quote the Apostolic Constitutions, which speak of the church ordaining deaconesses “for the ministries toward the women.” However, that document is dated some 3 full centuries after Paul, during the Roman Catholic Church era. It is doubtful that it describes the practice of the churches in the time of the Apostle Paul.
Verse two however, gives a fair description of this sister’s actual praiseworthy work among the saints. She hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also, says the Apostle, so assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you. This refers to personal work in helping to supply the needs of other Christians – primarily food, clothing and shelter. Clearly, Phoebe was a diligent, capable person given to hospitality, and gifted with discerning the needs of others and distributing to their necessities. Paul commended this very quality a few chapters earlier in Romans 12:13. Phoebe was clearly a woman of faith, courage and prayer, for not just any person would be willing to take this journey to Rome.
The unfortunate rise of feminist movements in modern societies has affected the churches of Christ regarding the roles of women. The pattern of the New Testament is that men are called to take positions of authority in the church, while women are called to administer in the home (1Cor 14:34-35; 1Tim 2:12-15; Eph 5:24). There is also a place for women to minister in the church unto women and children, but to act in positions of leadership in the church is not allowed by the Scriptures. See my notes on 1Cor 11.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 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. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Paul first met this couple in Corinth, where they had taken up residence after the emperor Claudius had evicted all Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2). Through a simple business connection (they were all tentmakers) they became very good friends, and the Apostle Paul was probably the one who introduced them to Christianity. After helping to start the church in Corinth, they followed him to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19) and helped in the evangelization of that city too. They probably returned to Rome sometime after the death of Claudius. It seems that wherever they went, a new church began in their house (1Cor 16:19). Interestingly, Priscilla is sometimes named before Aquila, which indicates that she was an especially outgoing, engaging lady. This Jewish couple was, without doubt, very useful in early evangelism and was known in many churches of the Gentiles.
Epaenetus was apparently one of the first converts to Christianity in Achaia, along with the household of Stephanas (1Cor 16:15). Or maybe Epaenetus was part of that household? Achaia (or Asia) was a prominent province in the Roman Empire where Christianity first began to flourish after spreading out from Israel.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
Paul made many acquaintances in his travels and must have had a very good memory! The lives of these men and women are unknown. Maybe they are roughly grouped by churches, for the time of church meeting places had not yet come. Priscilla and Aquila had a church in their house (v5), while others are named as having brethren or saints which are with them (v14, v15), indicating perhaps, that these met together. Those of Aristobulus and Narcissus (v10, v11) might refer to their house church congregations, instead of to their family members.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
The holy kiss is a formal greeting of Christian love in the brotherhood of saints. It is one of the Seven Ordinances recognized by many Anabaptist churches (see my note for 1Cor 11:1). Both Peter and Paul reminded the churches to greet one another with a kiss of charity (1Cor 16:20; 1Thes 5:26; 1Pet 5:14; 2Cor 13:12). Each of the ordinances are physical acts that have a deeper, spiritual meaning. Diversity of practice does not detract from its significance, nor has the need for unity and love in the church diminished over the years! The Apostles reminded the churches often in their epistles to continue constant in unfeigned love for the brethren. Greeting one another with an holy kiss is a token of that commitment.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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.
The Apostle does not speak of heathen men, but of those who are supposedly serving Christ. From the very beginning there were factions and divisions in the churches that were caused by erroneous ideas and arguments that were not according to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). Paul admonishes the brethren to be on the alert for such men and to mark them as troublemakers and busybodies (2Thes 3:6). Avoid them, for their real goal and allegiance is to please their own flesh and mind (Mat 7:15). They have not yielded themselves unto the lordship of Jesus Christ, but serve their own belly – meaning that they are living according to their own desires and goals instead of Christ.
These people are often knowledgeable and very persuasive. Beware of the them, the Apostle warns, for with flattering words and well-presented arguments they will certainly deceive the hearts of the simple (Col 2:8). Reject a heretic after the first and second admonition (Titus 3:10), do not even receive him into your house, the Apostle John wrote (2John 1:10).
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The church at Rome had earned a good reputation among the churches of Christ. Their obedience to the faith (see Rom 16:26) was an example to all. Paul would not, however, let them simply bask in this commendation. He desired them to increase even more in that which is good and wise, and the warnings in these verses are to that end.
Some have taken the picture of God bruising Satan under the feet of the saints in Rome as a reference to a particular persecution or trial that they were then experiencing. I take it rather to be a general blessing/desire of the Apostle for the church in his final words of encouragement. Satan was severely bruised by Christ when He rose victorious from the grave and a final eternal bruising will take place at the end of the Age. We are filled with hope and anticipation for that great event!
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
These men were with Paul at the time of this writing and they send greetings to the church at Rome also. All but Tertius and Quartus are mentioned in the book of Acts: Lucius of Cyrene in Acts 13:1, Jason in Acts 17:5, Sosipater and Gaius in Acts 20:4, Timotheus in Acts 16:1, and Erastus in Acts 19:22. Timothy was Paul’s closest earthly friend and servant in the ministry. Gaius is thought by some to be the Justus of Acts 18:7.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish 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, 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: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring benedictions in the Bible. See also Hebrews 13:20-21 and Jude 1:24-25. The mystery of Christ has been revealed to all nations, for the purpose of promoting the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5).