Romans Part 50 – Romans 16:17-24
Verse 17-18
• “Now I beseech you, brethren,” – Most will emphasize this statement in Romans 12:1 but you almost never hear Romans 16:17 preached on.
• “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which he have learned” – It takes “learned” individuals within the church to be able to do this. We need more people in the pews that know right doctrine to hold teachers and preachers accountable to the doctrine
• “and avoid them” – Avoid those who are purposely apposed to right doctrine.
• This is found throughout Paul’s epistles – 1Tim 1:3, 4:13, 2Tim 2:15-18, 1Cor 15:33.
• “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ” – If you are contrary to the doctrine from Gods word then you cannot serve Jesus Christ because you’re contrary to him – 2Tim 3:16-17 – Specifically in this dispensation the doctrine that Jesus Christ gave to Paul – Eph 3:1-2, Gal 1:11-12
• Compare Gen 17:10-14, Exo 12:48, Luke 2:21 to Gal 2:1-5, 5:1-4.
• Wrong doctrine subverts hearers and their voice needs to be stopped, this is why we need to mark them – Titus 1:9-11.
• “but their own belly” – Meaning their own flesh/desires – Phil 3:17-19
• “and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” - You have to know the truth to not be deceived by lies – Col 2:4-10.
Verse 19-24
• “For your obedience is come abroad to all men” – The Romans had a reputation of faith in Christ Jesus – Romans 1:8
• “I would have you wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil” – The will of God is good – 1Tim 2:3-4, Eph 5:17, 1Cor 14:20. I would also say not so much simple in knowledge of what is wrong but in experience. 2Cor 2:11, Eph 5:6-7.
• “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” – Bruise = to crush. Shortly = Speedily, swiftly. Meaning when God judges Satan, he will break him in pieces swiftly - Rom 9:28
• “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” – The second of 4 benedictions – 15:33, 16:20,24,27. 15:33 and 16:20 spoken by Paul just as he did in the opening verses - Rom 1:7.
• “Timotheus my work fellow” – 1Cor 4:15-17, 16:10, Phil 2:19-22, 1Tim 1:1-3
• “Lucius” – Some say this is Luke ,who did travel with Paul and was with him in Acts 20:5 which is around the time Paul would have wrote this epistle. However, there is a Lucius spoken of in Acts 13:1 and when Paul refers to Luke in other epistles he uses Luke, not Lucius – Col 4:14, 2Tim 4:11.
• “Jason” – Possibly the Jason mentioned in Acts 17:5-10.
• “Sosipater” – Possibly Sopater the Berean – Acts 20:4.
• “my kinsmen, salute you” – Either Paul’s or Tertius. With Amen at the end of verse 20, verses 21-24 could be the amanuensis own words.
• “vs 22” – Tertius was a amanuensis, Paul signed his letters – 2Thess 3:17, Col 4:18, 1Cor 16:21
• “Gaius” – Likely the one from Macedonia who Paul baptized – 1Cor 1:14, Acts 18:8, Act 19:29. Although there was a Gaius of Derbe who also traveled with Paul – Acts 20:4. But if this was written in Macedonia and Gaius was their host it would be the Gaius of Macedonia – Acts 20:1-3 and this likely being the same one Paul baptized since Corinth is in the region of Macedonia. There is also Gaius that 3rd John is written to, who is very likely a different Gaius, likely a Jew – 3John 1 & 5.
• “Erastus the chamberlain of the city” – Erastus who traveled with Paul is also said to have went to “Macedonia” and “Corinth” – Acts 19:22 & 2Tim 4:20. Also giving more evidence to which Gaius this is.
• “Quartus” – All we know about him is that he is “a brother”.
• “vs 24” – The 3rd of 4 benedictions, this one likely being written by Tertius.
