RSV ~ Romans 16 Notes

Rom 16:1-27 | ISB Notes

Some scholars question the authenticity of chapter 16 and consider it a later addition to Romans. This is because the oldest surviving manuscript of Romans places the final doxology (16:25-27) after 15:33 and because shorter editions of the letter are reported to have circulated in Christian antiquity (missing chaps. 15 and 16). Scholars of this opinion regard Romans 16 as an independent letter of recommendation for Phoebe (16:1) or a letter originally sent to the Church at Ephesus. Textual criticism gives little support to the hypothesis and at present accepts the authenticity of Romans 16 as an integral part of the epistle. If shorter editions of Romans did exist, they were probably abridgments of the book adapted for liturgical use.

Rom 16:1 | ISB Notes

our sister Phoebe: Possibly the carrier of Paul’s letter.

deaconess: The Greek diakonos can refer to an ordained minister of the Church (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8) or to a “servant” or “assistant” more generally (Rom 13:4; 15:8). Deaconesses in the early Church assisted with the baptism of women and similar tasks.

• According to the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, deaconesses are counted among the laity, not among the ordained clergy (can. 19).

Rom 16:3-23 | ISB Notes

Paul addresses 26 Roman Christians by name, the longest list of greetings in the NT. The etymology of the names reveals a diverse background of believers, including Greeks, Latins, and Jews.

Rom 16:3 | ISB Notes

Prisca and Aquila: A Christian couple who worked closely with Paul (Acts 18:2; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19).

Rom 16:5 | ISB Notes

the church in their house: The earliest Christians met together in private homes to pray and worship (Acts 2:46; 12:12; 1 Cor 16:19). This reflects the similar practice of Jews before separate synagogue buildings were in widespread use.

Rom 16:7 | ISB Notes

Junias: The Greek is feminine, suggesting to many that Junias is a woman and possibly the wife of Andronicus. It could also be a shortened form of the Latin name Junianus and thus refer to a man.

among the apostles: This can be understood to mean that (1) Andronicus and Junias were apostles in the broader sense of the word (messenger, Phil 2:25; 2 Cor 8:23), or that (2) they were esteemed by the original apostles. Either way, they were Jews who became Christians before Paul.

Rom 16:13 | ISB Notes

Rufus: Possibly mentioned in Mk 15:21 as the son of Simon of Cyrene. Note that Paul and the evangelist Mark were both writing to Roman Christians.

See introduction to Mark: Destination.

Rom 16:16 | ISB Notes

a holy kiss: An expression of fraternal love in the primitive Church (1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14).

Rom 16:18 | ISB Notes

their own appetites: These troublemakers may be (1) some of the “strong” Christians in Rome who were more willing to define the kingdom of God by foods than by harmony with others (14:17; 15:1), or (2)those who practiced some form of Christianity in a vain and self-serving way (Phil 3:19).

Rom 16:20 | ISB Notes

crush Satan under your feet: Paul desires the Roman Christians to understand the true difference between “good” and “evil” (16:19) and so share in Christ’s victory over the devil (1 Jn 3:8).

• Paul is alluding to the first biblical prophecy, Gen 3:15, which promises that a Redeemer will trample the satanic serpent underfoot. Paul extends this prophecy about the Messiah to the entire messianic people.

Rom 16:21 | ISB Notes

Timothy: A longtime companion of Paul (Acts 16:14) and the recipient of two NT letters, 1 and 2 Timothy.

Jason and Sosipater: Possibly those mentioned in Acts 17:5 and Acts 20:4.

Rom 16:22 | ISB Notes

Tertius, the writer: Tertius was the secretary who wrote the letter at the dictation of Paul.

Rom 16:23 | ISB Notes

Gaius: One of the first baptized Christians in Corinth (1 Cor 1:14). He graciously opened his home to Paul and other visitors.

Erastus: Although a common name, probably the figure in Acts 19:22 and 2 Tim 4:20.

Rom 16:25 | ISB Notes

the mystery: Jesus Christ fulfilled the plan of God hidden away in the Scriptures (16:26; 1:2).

See word study: Mystery at Eph 3:3.

Rom 16:26 | ISB Notes

the obedience of faith: The expression stands at the beginning (1:5) and end of the letter (CCC 143, 2087). See note on Rom 1:5.