"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet (Salute) my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Asia unto Christ." (verses 3 - 5) In the following verses there is noted the great outpouring of love and affection for a host of beloved friends and fellow believers. Paul, without a doubt, could have included many more. Greet or 'say hello' as we express a salutation. Priscilla and Aquila were a wife and husband team, whom Paul designated as helpers who had risked their lives on occasion. They were fellow tent-makers (Acts 18: 1 - 3) with Paul. Evidently Paul knew this couple very well (Acts 13:2). They had laid down their own necks or faced martyrdom (the metaphor here is putting the neck on the block under the threatening axe) for the apostle (possibly a reference to Acts 19: 23 - 41). Paul thanks God for all the churches of the Gentiles. Then he sends greetings to all the church members of the household of Priscilla and Aquila. Before the advent of church buildings, the saints met in people's dwellings. Paul also sent greeting to Epaenetus one of his first converts (first-fruits of his labor) in Asia.
"Greet Mary who bestowed much labor on us. Greet (Salute) Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet (Salute) Urbanus, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Greet (Salute) Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet (Salute) them who are of the household of Aristobulus." (verse 6 - 10) Paul's mind goes back to others whom he has known through the years. Mary had been such a diligent laborer in Rome that Paul points her out. Andronicus and Junias were kinsmen and fellow-prisoners; they had spent time in jail for the cause of Christ. Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys and Apelles were among Paul's acquaintances. Paul's long experience as a gospel missionary throughout Asia Minor resulted in his having led to Christ and worked with a great many people who had since migrated to Rome for various reasons. Then he remembers all the members of the church meeting in Aristobulus' household (possibly some slaves were included).
"Greet (Salute) Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them that are of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet (Salute) Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet (Salute) the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet (Salute) Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet (Salute) Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren who are with them. Greet (Salute) Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them." (verses 11 - 15) Paul wants special greetings to be given to Herodion, a relative; Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and Olympas. The paths of all these had crossed Paul's path somewhere as he ministered for the Lord. He must have had fond memories of these dedicated workers. The mother of Rufus must have been like a mother to Paul. Most of these Christians we know very little about, but they will have their rewards in heaven for their labor for the Lord and in behalf of the Apostle Paul. It is significant to note that of the twenty-six people mentioned here, nine are women. Even though the society was male-dominated, the Christian women were active in the churches. To say the least, the church at Rome was diverse in race, rank, and gender, and in spite of its diverseness, it experienced a profound unity which transcended its differences.
"Greet (Salute) one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet (salute) you." (verse 16) Now Paul says, "Say hello" to my other friends; in fact, kiss they with a 'holy kiss.' This seemed to be 'a kiss on the check' of those whom Paul loved dearly. 'The peck on the check' is practiced in many countries of Asia and the Middle East even to this day. The 'holy kiss' was a token of Christian love. Paul concludes this section by saying that all the churches that belong to Christ greet you folks at Rome.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own body (belly), and by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the innocent (simple). For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad, therefore, on your behalf; but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." (verses 17 - 19) As a faithful minister and friend, Paul gives out a caution to the members of the church at Rome. He pleads for vigilance. It is the nature of love to warn against harm to those whom it loves. Love is ready to forgive all evil, but it does not condone or ignore evil, especially in the church. So Paul writes, mark or 'keep an eye out' or 'consider' those who cause divisions or 'dissention' and offenses or 'stumbling blocks' contrary to what they have been taught by Paul or other faithful ministers. Avoid them or 'turn away from' these trouble-makers; he would say, "Don't approach them with a holy kiss, rather stand aloof, and even turn away." The apostle ordered the church members to avoid a confrontation with the heretics. When Paul wrote to Titus (3:9) he had the same admonition, "but avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 2:23), "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they breed (gender) strifes." "Although the early churches were formally set in order, in the sense that pastors, bishops (overseers), and deacons were named and installed, there was no organizational structure that tied each local church to others separated by geography. The problem of church discipline and heresy was a local church matter...The order to the Romans was 'avoid them.' This could be done either by dismissing the trouble makers from the fellowship or by withdrawing from the heretics. Titus 3:10 and Matthew 18: 15 - 17 seem clearly to say that the heretic is to be dismissed from the church, not the other way around" (Yeager, Volume XII, p. 270). With regard for the 'good,' recognize it, love it, and follow it. With regard to the 'evil,' he wants them to be guileless, so completely that they will shy away from any experience with it.
These heretics or trouble-makers are egotists. They do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bodies (bellies or materialism); several versions translate this word 'appetites' (TEV, NIV, Phillips, RSV, Jerusalem Bible, and NEB). They speak 'good words' and make 'fair speeches,' but they deceive those who are simple (unsophisticated). Their motives are ulterior or covert. The victims are naive, like a child in their thinking; they are simple minded, and unintelligent. Paul wrote to the Philippians (3:18, 19), "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their appetite (belly), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."
Then Paul states that he has heard of their obedience; the word has come to him while he is abroad. He rejoices that they are obedient; Paul still wants to warn them of false teachers. He wants the Christians of Rome to be 'on the lookout' for charlatans and deceivers. Paul echoes what Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye, therefore, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (verse 20) Soon the God of peace shall overcome Satan, and he will be bruised under your feet. The word bruise comes from a word meaning 'to thresh by trampling with the feet,' or 'to break or fragment.' In this struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, truth and error, it will come to an end with Satan being 'put down,' and God and His saints are going to be victorious (See Psalm 2: 1 - 12). Paul could have had in mind Psalm 110: 1 which reads, "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." It is Jehovah God Who bruises Satan and establishes peace in contrast with conflict, discord, and division. Satan has already been defeated (at the Cross), but he has not yet conceded his defeat.
Paul gives another short benediction stating that the Roman Christians needed God's grace to direct and strengthen them. They need His wisdom to recognize false leaders. They need His grace to give them comfort and patience when they are attacked by Satan's emissaries while he is still in power over this world.
"Timothy, my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, greet (salute) you. I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet (salute) you in the Lord." Gaius, mine host, and of the whole church, greeteth (saluteth) you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city, greeteth (saluteth) you, and Quartus, a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (verses 21 - 24) While Paul was writing this epistle, he was in the company of dedicated Christians such as Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, a relative. They, too, expressed a desire to let the Christians at Rome know they send their greetings. Tertius, Paul's amanuensis or secretary (scribe), sent greetings also. A writer on occasions had someone to write for him and a scribe is conscripted.
Gaius, who was Paul's host, sent greetings. It is a possibility Gaius' house was used for church services. Erastus, the city steward or city business manager, who was a Christian, and Quartus, a brother, also sent their greetings. There is some question as to whether the benediction of verse 24 was in the original epistle.
"Now to him that is of power to establish (stablish) you according to my gospel, and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret
since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the
obedience of faith: to God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen."
(verses 25 - 27) First of all, Paul praises Jehovah God for the gospel that establishes men in the
faith. Establish or stablish means to 'make firm and stable,' 'to make fast.' Then Paul refers to
a mystery. Just what is the revelation of the mystery that has been kept secret for so long to
which Paul refers? This mystery now made known was that "the Gentiles should be fellowheirs
and of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ by the gospel" (Yeager, Volume
XII, p. 280). Ephesians 3:4 - 6 says the mystery of Christ "which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his
promise in Christ by the gospel..." It is now God's will that this mystery be made manifest or
'visible or known what has hitherto been unknown or unseen.' There came down this
commandment or 'mandate' from a superior authority (God). This mystery has now been
brought to light. Paul is so emotionally overcome by the grandeur of the wisdom of God the
Father and His eternal plan that his heart races ahead of his dictation as Tertius writes with pen
and ink.