Romans 16 Commentary
Like credits at the end of a movie, we have a list of Paul’s wider family. We have a healthy cast of women mentioned by the apostle who were actively involved in ministry. They occupied the same space as their brothers. Paul wants the church to treat them with equal respect. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28. Paul lived this word.
Paul wasn’t the only one to suffer imprisonment. Andronicus and Junia once shared the same prison space as Paul. Verse 7.
We see a complete picture of God’s family. The great apostle has a family of believers around him. It is this family that provides for Paul. Even Paul needs a mother! Verse 13.
Many think of Paul as a rough piece of diamond. But his closeness to so many believers reveals a deep love for his family in Christ. He names them by name and has details of their work in the household of faith.
The Book of Romans is closed by chapter 16. The last 3 verses of the book summarize the core material of the book. The mystery of salvation is packaged in the fact that it is always God’s initiative through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ operates through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit operates through His Law.
The “Law of the Spirit” underlines the message. It operates in a world full of extreme wickedness. On close inspection, the Law of the Spirit is actually the person of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He resides in the believers, making it possible for them to manifest the fruit of righteousness – the fruit of the Spirit. You are not a believer without the Holy Spirit!
Chapters 8 and 9 are deep wells and truly amazing. They define life in the Spirit. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ! What a book!
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