Blessings in Abundance
Opening Prayer
Lord, give me the grace to perceive both the genuine and the spurious and the wisdom to know how to choose.
Read Romans 16:17–27
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24]
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.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Rom. 15:13).
Intriguing glimpses into the affairs of some early Christians continue here. Previously, we read of Phoebe, who is described both as a deacon or servant of the church and as a “benefactor” (2). In Roman society, benefactors were those who used private wealth for public purposes. This suggests that she was a wealthy, independent woman, able to travel to Rome on business. Even if she were among the Christians not considered “influential,” (1 Cor. 1:26), she and others like her certainly played their part. Further examples here are Gaius, an early convert in Corinth, baptized by Paul himself (1 Cor. 1:14), who hosts the church there, and Erastus, the “director of public works” (or possibly the treasurer) (23). Such affluent believers are bringing about a massive boost to the church. If we have been given advantages, we should use them in all earnestness for the progress of the faith and within the family of faith to which we belong.
Paul’s primary concern in these verses is to impart final warnings and blessings. He urges the people to beware of divisive individuals who promote teachings that conflict with those the apostles have laid down (17). Even in the church there are people who seek power and whose motivations are self-serving (18). Paul commends the right kind of innocence—that which is deficient with regard to evil but sufficient regarding good. (19). Evil has no future (20).
There is spiritual power in sending greetings (16,21,23). Even Tertius, who acted as Paul’s scribe, gets in on the act (22)! It is good to communicate friendship, awareness and good will, especially between churches. Best of all, though, is the impartation of an apostolic blessing. Paul does so in 15:13 and 15:33. He does so yet again here in verse 20. May hope, peace, joy and grace be ours.
Apply
Those of us with some means are admonished to use it all for God’s work. Consider 1 Timothy 6:17–19.
Closing prayer
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ.
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