Notes on Romans 16

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.
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.
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.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
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.
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.
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.
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. <<Written to the Romans from Corinthus, [and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.]>>

This is mostly a roll call of the saints at Rome. Each local church body is made up of many people who are not in positions of authority, not involved in visible ministries, and not particularly noted for special talent and ability. Without them, though, without their presence, prayers, and support, the church body could not exist in the same form. Although the ideal situation is that all of a church's members be actively involved in its ministry, that is rarely if ever the case. A small minority of people do most of the work and contribute most of the tithes and offerings. Nonetheless, so long as the others come, they are a resource that can be drawn on, for future need if not at present. Without the support of the "silent majority" in each congregation, the pastor cannot function as he should, and the programs of the church will wither away.

Just as there are members in all churches who are not actively involved in ministry, there are almost always others whose primary function seems to be to cause trouble. These are the kinds who start malicious gossip, resist any hint of change, criticize those in positions of authority, and, in some cases, spread false doctrine. A church that tolerates the work of such people is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. It's not just a matter of exercising church discipline to purge active, gross in from the body, but to call to task those who try to destroy the unity of the body. Many churches are reluctant to confront such people, especially if they have followers in the congregation. My own church takes the position that confronting all instances of sin and disorder would mean we would have no time for anything else. That's true so far as it goes, but the pastor and deacons in a church do have a responsibility to confront serious division and conflict in the body before it proceeds too far. If they don't, the church may well end up with a split body; its ministry will suffer, regardless, if the unity of the body is not preserved.

The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul says here, serves to strengthen a local church. In so many churches now, including too many fundamental ones, the Gospel is not preached. Instead, the pastor delivers messages designed to tickle the ears of the congregation, rather than challenge them. Funny stories, book reviews, and pious platitudes don't save souls, and don't help believers grow and mature. If the messages and music in a worship service are designed to entertain, appealing to the emotions rather than the spirit, the worship isn't directed to God, but to human pride. The Gospel is made known, this passage says, through the scripture, by God's commandment. Any other effort or method for reaching believers and the lost is godless and powerless. It is small wonder that so many churches are in such a poor state.

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Notes on Romans 16