Paul commends Phoebe, a deaconess from Cenchrea, and sends greetings to numerous individuals in Rome, including Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus (the firstfruits of Achaia), and many other named coworkers. He warns against those causing divisions contrary to received doctrine, conveys greetings from his companions including Timothy and Tertius (the amanuensis), and concludes with a doxology to God who is able to establish believers according to the mystery now revealed.
Read Romans Chapter 16 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
IntroductionChapters 1:1-17
Greeting, desire to visit, gospel summary.
Sin's ProblemChapters 1:18-3:20
JustificationChapters 3:21-5:21
SanctificationChapters 6-8
Israel's FutureChapters 9-11
Christian LivingChapters 12-16
Transformed living, submission, love, unity.
Bible Bites
Paul Wrote Romans from Corinth
Paul wrote his longest epistle to the Romans from the city of Corinth around AD 57 during his third missionary journey. He had never visited Rome when he wrote this comprehensive theological treatise.
RomansThe scribe breaks the fourth wall
Paul dictated Romans to a scribe. Near the end, that scribe suddenly speaks up in his own voice: 'I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord' (Romans 16:22). A brief, human 'fourth-wall' moment slipped right into Scripture.
Romans 16:22Phoebe: Commended as a Deacon
Paul commends Phoebe as 'a deacon of the church in Cenchreae' and asks the Romans to welcome her. She likely carried Paul's letter to Rome, making her one of the first named female church leaders.
Romans 16:1-2