GREET ONE ANOTHER

Romans 16:1-16 / Keywords 16:16

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

Personal Greetings

16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.

Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

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

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

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Footnotes

a. Romans 16:1 Or servant

b. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.

c. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla

d. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by

 

1. This passage is filled with Paul’s greetings to the coworkers who served with him. There were many people who helped Paul’s gospel ministry from behind the scenes. Paul credits Phoebe as one who became a benefactor to many including himself.

 

2. He then commends Priscilla and Aquilla who risked their lives for Paul. There were some people who were imprisoned with Paul. Paul acknowledges his coworkers who also fought hard for the work of God. Paul knows that the work of God was not his own solo work. He knows that the Holy Spirit worked powerfully through him. At the same time, many coworkers in Christ risked their lives, time, energy, and youth to also carry out gospel work.

 

3. Christians are one body in Christ. One part can never accomplish anything on its own. We should acknowledge one another in Christ. We should acknowledge and greet them as dear coworkers and servants of God in Christ. There are no great and small parts in serving Christ. When we acknowledge and greet one another and respect each coworkers’ values, our love as a church grows instead of having divisions.

 

4. May we greet one another who serve the Lord today.

 

Prayer Lord, help us to greet one another.

One Word Greet one another