Romans 16
Romans 16 | |
---|---|
Epistle to the Romans 16:1,4-7,11-12 in Papyrus 118 (verso side), written in the 3rd century. | |
Book | Epistle to the Romans |
Bible part | New Testament |
Order in the Bible part | 6 |
Category | Pauline epistles |
Romans 16 is the sixteenth (and the last) chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle while he was in Corinth during the winter of AD 57-58,[1] but written by an amanuensis, Tertius, who adds his own greeting in verse 22. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians in order to give them a substantial resume of his theology.[2]
Text
- The original text is written in Koine Greek.
- Some most ancient manuscripts containing this chapter are:
- Papyrus 118 (3rd century; extant: verses 1,4-7,11-12)
- Codex Vaticanus (AD 325-350)
- Codex Sinaiticus (AD 330-360)
- Codex Alexandrinus (ca. AD 400-440)
- Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (ca. AD 450; complete)
- Papyrus 61 (7th century; extant: verses 23-27)
- This chapter is divided into 27 verses.
Structure
The New King James Version organises this chapter as follows:
- Romans 16:1-2 = Sister Phoebe Commended
- Romans 16:3-16 = Greeting Roman Saints
- Romans 16:17-20 = Avoid Divisive Persons
- Romans 16:21-24 = Greeting from Paul’s Friends
- Romans 16:25-27 = Benediction
Phoebe
- I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant (Greek: διακονον, diakonon) of the church in Cenchreae (or Cenchrea) [3]
Phoebe is described as a servant of the church in the New King James Version, as a deacon in the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version, a deaconess in the Revised Standard Version and the Jerusalem Bible, and a leader in the Contemporary English Version. According to the contemporary idiom in The Message, she was "a key representative of the church at Cenchrea".[4] The Jerusalem Bible suggests she was "probably the bearer of the letter" [5] and verse 2 suggests she also had other "business" [6] to deal with in Rome.
Tertius
- 'I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.[7]
Tertius - This name is a Latin one, and perhaps the person might be a Roman, for the names Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, etc. were common with the Romans; unless it may be thought, as it is by some, that this man was the same with Silas, who was a constant companion of the apostle; and the Hebrew word is the same as Tertius; he also is numbered among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Iconium; (See Luke 10:1). Whosoever he was, it is certain he was an amanuensis of the apostle, who wrote this letter, either from the apostle's notes, or from his mouth.[8]
Some connect this phrase, "in the Lord", with the other, "wrote this epistle", and make the sense to be that he wrote this epistle for the Lord's sake, for his honour and glory; which he might do, though he wrote it not by inspiration, being only scribe to the apostle; but it is better connected with the word "salute", and the sense is, that his salutation was not a mere form, nor only concerned their temporal good, but their spiritual welfare; that he wished them well in the Lord, that they might have much communion with him, and larger measures of grace from him.[8]
Final verse
- To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.[9]
See also
- Cenchrea
- Priscilla and Aquila
- Other related Bible parts: Acts 18
References
- ↑ Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House. 1962.
- ↑ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
- ↑ Romans 16:1
- ↑ The Message
- ↑ Footnote in Jerusalem Bible at Romans 16:1, Darton, Longman & Todd, 1966
- ↑ Geneva Bible
- ↑ Romans 16:22
- 1 2 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - Romans 16:22
- ↑ Romans 16:27