Blog 16 - United Together

 

United Together

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Romans 16

This is it! The final blog… before we start I just want to say thank you for reading these blogs and any support you gave me throughout. To those who helped me in writing and promoting these blogs, special thanks to you guys, couldn’t have done this without you.

In the final chapter of Romans, Paul greets a diverse group of individuals, such as Jews and Gentiles, men and women, people from various social standings. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle where each piece looks different and might seem random on its own. But when the pieces come together, God’s greater picture starts to emerge. Each person, no matter how small their role may seem, plays a vital part in building the church and advancing the gospel. As we’ve seen in the previous chapters, fellowship and unity are essential to God’s plan for His glory and purpose.

Greetings and Gratitude (v1-16 & 21-24)

In Romans 16, Paul takes time to personally greet a long list of 26 people by name, and 2 unnamed saints and who contributed to his ministry. As well as several Churches that were meeting in homes. This is highlighting the importance of fellowship and teamwork in spreading the gospel.   The first person he mentions is Phoebe (v. 1-2), a trusted member of the church in Cenchrea. She carried Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome—a significant responsibility. Paul acknowledges her importance and encourages the church to welcome and support her, emphasizing her role as a helper to many, including himself.

Next, Paul greets Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3-5), a married couple who were known for their dedication and courage. We learn more about them in Acts 18, where they worked alongside Paul in ministry. At this point, they were hosting a church in their home in Rome. Paul expresses deep gratitude, noting that they risked their lives for him and the sake of the gospel.

As Paul continues his greetings, he highlights a variety of people who contributed to the ministry:        

• Epaenetus (v. 5), the first believer in Asia, whose conversion sparked a movement of faith
•  Andronicus and Junia (v. 7), who were imprisoned with Paul, demonstrating their commitment to spreading the gospel.
• Mary, Tryphena, and Tryphosa (v. 6, 12) described as hard workers in the Lord’s service.

In verses 21-24, Paul continues his greetings, this time acknowledging those who were with him as he wrote the letter:

• Timothy, Paul’s spiritual son and trusted co-worker.
• Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, fellow Jews and companions in ministry.
• Tertius, the scribe who wrote down Paul’s words, takes a moment to greet the church himself in verse 22.
• Gaius, who hosted Paul and a house church, exemplifying hospitality.
• Erastus, the city treasurer, and Quartus, a fellow believer, remind us that God uses people from all walks of life to accomplish His purposes.

This long list includes men and women, Jews and Gentiles, and people from different social and economic backgrounds. It’s a beautiful picture of the diversity within the body of Christ. Paul’s greetings show that every person matters, whether they were on the frontlines or quietly supporting from behind the scenes. Paul’s example challenges us to recognize and appreciate the contributions of those around us. In a world that often highlights individual achievements, these verses remind us that ministry is a team effort.

Pursue Unity not Self Interest (v17-20)

In team sports, when things fall apart, it’s often because players are more focused on their own glory than the success of the team. Coaches quickly weed out those who prioritize personal gain over the team’s mission. Paul gives the church a similar warning: avoid people who put their own interests above the needs of God’s ministry. These individuals may appear to be part of the team but will ultimately cause divisions and spread false teachings.

Paul addresses this issue again in Philippians 3:17-21, describing such people as having “their god as their belly,” focused on earthly things rather than God’s truth. We see this today in the rise of the prosperity gospel, with messages like “Be your best self.” While it sounds appealing, it often shifts the focus away from Christ and toward personal gain. Pastors such as Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, and Kenneth Copeland have been criticized for promoting messages that enrich themselves but spiritually impoverish their followers. As Paul warns in Romans 16:18, they use “smooth words and flattering speech” to deceive.

Paul gives two clear instructions: identify these false teachers and avoid them. Spot their motives and steer clear. Obedience to God requires us to stay grounded in truth and united with believers who faithfully teach the gospel. Verse 20 reminds us that these false teachers are ultimately working against God but will be defeated, just as Satan will be.

As Warren Wiersbe puts it: “Christians are established by truth.” That’s why Paul wrote Romans—to ground believers in the gospel so they could share it with others. Our role is to continue God’s mission by spreading the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which brings reconciliation with God.

Stay vigilant in discerning truth. Surround yourself with believers who encourage unity and faithfulness to the gospel. Keep pursuing God’s mission, knowing that the truth of Christ is the foundation that will never fail.

The Closing Benediction to Romans:

²⁵ Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— ²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Going Deeper Questions

1. Who are the “quiet heroes” in your life—those who serve faithfully without seeking recognition? How can you encourage and support them?
2. How can the diversity in the body of Christ help strengthen the church today? What role do you feel God is calling you to play, whether upfront or behind the scenes?
3. What practical steps can you take to “identify and avoid” false teaching in your life? How can staying grounded in Scripture help protect you from deception?
4. What are some ways you can actively pursue unity in your church or community? How can putting others' needs above your own reflect Christ’s character?
5. How does understanding God’s sovereignty and the mystery of the gospel motivate you to share your faith? How can you trust God more in the mission He has called you to?