The Apostle’s Greetings, Part 2

calendar_today January 30, 2022
menu_book Romans 16:1-16
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Romans 16:1-16
[1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, [2] that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

[3] Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. [5] Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. [6] Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. [8] Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. [10] Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. [11] Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. [12] Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. [13] Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. [14] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. [15] Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. [16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What do you find most surprising, interesting, or edifying in this list of names? Are there any that stand out to you?
2.   How does this passage reflect the diversity of the Roman church? Considering the rest of the letter, how might this diversity have given rise to tension and division?
3.   What does it say about God’s purposes that many of these people were likely slaves or former slaves? How does this relate to 1 Corinthians 1:26-29?
4.   Where do we see reference to multiple house churches? Where do we find evidence that Christianity had made its way into “Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22)?
5.   What language does Paul use to emphasize unity amid diversity? How can we lose sight of the one great unifier?
6.   How does Paul’s directive in v. 16 build on his example? What is the “holy kiss,” and what are the implications for us today?
7.   How does the final sentence keep both the universal and the local church in view?

References: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Mark 15:21; Philippians 4:22; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 5:14.

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