Romans 16:17-27

PAUL’S FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Romans 16:17-27

Jesus had told the disciples that false teachers would come (Mat_24:11; Mar_13:22-23). Just as false prophets had contradicted the true prophets in Old Testament times (for example, see Jer_23:16-40; Jer_28:1-17), telling people only what they wanted to hear, so false teachers were twisting Christ’s teachings and the words of his apostles. These teachers were belittling the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Some claimed that Jesus couldn’t be God; others claimed that he couldn’t have been a real man. These teachers allowed and even encouraged all kinds of wrong and immoral acts, especially sexual sin. This was a problem throughout the early church and Paul often warned the churches about it.

Rom 16:17  And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Rom 16:18  Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

I wondered shy anyone would want to be a false teacher at this time. I was reading the notes on these verses and found that they would ask for money when the completed their talks. They would also achieve a certain amount of fame which lead to more money.

Rom 16:19  But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. Rom 16:20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

To his Roman friends he reassured them that he knew they were following the scriptures. This was also a small warning that when you hear preaching and it does not follow scriptures that is may be false.

Rom 16:21  Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. Rom 16:22  I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord's followers. Rom 16:23  Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

Rom 16:24  [May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

Doxology

Rom 16:25  Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed His plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

Rom 16:26  But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey Him.

Rom 16:27  All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

6:25-27 Paul had explained his gospel at length in this letter to the Romans (see Rom_2:16). Paul’s Good News was the proclamation of Jesus Christ and his plan for the Gentiles. Paul knew that the gospel and Christ himself would make these believers strong in the faith. The plan had been kept secret from the beginning of time. The prophets who wrote various books of the Old Testament were not fully aware of the meaning of their own words; but they wrote, at God’s command, much about the fulfillment of the mystery—the coming of the Messiah, the salvation of the Gentiles, and the return of the Jews (see Rom_11:25). Now, after the coming of Christ and the growth of the church, what they wrote is being understood (Rom_1:2). (See also Luk_24:44-45; 1Pe_1:10-12.)

Paul exclaims that it is wonderful to be alive when the mystery, God’s secret—his way of saving the Gentiles—is becoming known throughout the world! All the Old Testament prophecies are coming true, and God is using Paul as his instrument to tell this Good News. For that we must give God the glory forever through Jesus Christ.