Romans 16:1-16

Paul Greets the Saints in Rome

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1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

2Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.

7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.

10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.

15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.

16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Paul asks the Romans to welcome Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, and help with whatever she needs. She has helped many people, including him. His commendation asks for practical support as well as a warm greeting.

Prisca and Aquila are fellow workers who risked their lives for Paul. A church meets in their house, and the Gentile churches share his gratitude for them. Epenetus is remembered as the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Mary has worked very hard for the Roman believers.

Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before Paul and shared imprisonment with him. He describes them as outstanding among the apostles. Others receive brief words of affection or recognition: Apelles is approved in Christ; Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis have worked hard in the Lord. Rufus' mother has been a mother to Paul as well.

There are more names, households and groups of believers than a short reading can explore. Paul does not supply complete biographies. What he does tell us reveals a church life sustained by faithful labor, hospitality, courage and personal care. The gospel has joined these people to Christ and to each other.

He asks them to greet one another with a holy kiss and passes on greetings from the churches of Christ. The letter's great truths belong among actual people whose names and needs matter. Phoebe's arrival will give the Romans an immediate opportunity to express that fellowship through welcome and help.

Questions

1 Who is Phoebe?

AnswerShe is commended as a servant of the church in Cenchrea and a great help to many. Paul asks the Roman believers to receive and assist her, giving her ministry public recognition.

2 What did Prisca and Aquila do?

AnswerThey were Paul's fellow workers and risked their lives for him. Their house also hosted a church, joining personal courage with practical hospitality.

3 What does the list of names show?

AnswerIt shows a diverse network of women, men, households, workers, and fellow servants. The Roman church's life is carried by people whose individual stories matter to Paul.

4 How does Paul end the greeting?

AnswerHe tells them to greet one another with a holy kiss and says the churches of Christ greet them. Belonging is expressed through embodied welcome and connection across distance.

What This Means for Us

Near the end of Paul's letter, names come into view. People who might disappear inside a large church or mission become visible as workers, helpers, hosts, relatives, and friends.

Phoebe's commendation is also a practical request: receive her, help her, and recognize what she has done. Honor is more useful when it supplies actual support.

Make a habit of remembering the people whose work holds your community together. Thank them specifically, and ask what practical help would make their service sustainable.

Prayer

God of every servant, thank You for the people whose names and work strengthen Your church. Make our household generous with welcome, attentive to hidden labor, and willing to honor service with practical help. Amen.

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