Romans 16 closes Paul’s letter not with abstract theology but with names, memories, and a final word of praise. In this episode, we walk through Paul’s “yearbook” of friends and co-workers, tracing how ordinary men and women—slaves and officials, Jews and Gentiles, singles and couples—become living proof of the gospel’s power. Then, in the final doxology, we hear again the heart of Romans: the God who began this work is able to strengthen us and bring about the obedience of faith.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
- Why Romans 16 is like the signatures at the back of a high school yearbook—and what that analogy reveals about how truth and relationships belong together in the Christian life
- Phoebe as a recognized servant and “patron” of the church, and what her example teaches us about mature, trusted ministry that often goes unseen
- Priscilla and Aquila as a ministry couple: tentmakers, teachers, risk-takers, and hosts whose home kept becoming a church wherever God moved them
- The striking variety in Paul’s list—men and women, slaves and city officials, Jews and Gentiles, households and house churches—and what that says about the shape of genuine Christian community
- How Paul remembers different people: first converts, hard workers, relatives, fellow prisoners, those “tested and approved,” and a woman who became “a mother” to him in the Lord
- Why seemingly small phrases like “my beloved,” “worked hard in the Lord,” and “dear friend” matter—and how they invite us to value faithful, ordinary service
- Paul’s sober warning about those who cause division and deceive the naive, and his counsel to quietly refuse them influence while trusting that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”
- The closing doxology (Romans 16:25–27) as a summary of the whole letter: God Himself establishing us by the gospel, revealing a long-hidden mystery to the nations, and bringing about the obedience of faith to His glory forever
By the end of the episode, listeners will see Romans 16 not as an afterthought, but as a beautiful snapshot of a gospel-shaped family—and a reminder that our own relationships in Christ are meant to carry that same eternal weight. You’ll be invited to notice and honor the “Phoebes,” “Marys,” and “Rufuses’ mothers” in your life, to take division seriously without becoming anxious or combative, and to rest in the God who is able to steady your wobbly heart and write His obedience into your life, all to His wise and lasting glory.
Compare Romans 16, Paul’s conclusion of his letter to the Christians in Rome, to a high school yearbook. During the high school years, we are supposed to learn skills, knowledge, and an approach to life that will get us launched into adulthood. The book of Romans also records truths that should be foundational building blocks for life, the essentials upon which we ought to build our lives.
The high school yearbook is the history of the events, ideas, and accomplishments that took place during the year, but it also contains a collection of handwritten names, greetings, memories, and thoughts about life. We find at the end of the book of Romans some very personal words, too.
These first individuals Paul mentions represent two groups which emerge in the list of names. Phoebe represents the group of people whose origins are in Corinth where Paul is staying for three months and writing this letter. She was from the church in Cenchrea, which was the port of Corinth, located about nine miles east of the city. Priscilla and Aquila represent the people in Rome, to whom the letter is addressed.
One of the characteristics of the entire list of names is its variety. Contrary to the culture of the day, men and women are named together in their ministries, their friendship, and their impact on the world they live in. We find further variety in the combination of slaves and high government officials, couples and singles, Jews and Gentiles, and homeowners and itinerants.
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Series: Romans: Justification by Faith
Study: Romans Resources
Season 2, Episode 24
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