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{{short description|Sixteenth chapter of the biblical Book of Romans}}
{{New Testament chapter short description}}
{{Bible chapter|letname=Romans 16|previouslink= Romans 15 |previousletter= chapter 15 |nextlink= 1 Corinthians 1 |nextletter= 1 Corinthians 1 |book= [[Epistle to the Romans]] |biblepart=[[New Testament]] | booknum= 6 |category= [[Pauline epistles]] | filename= P118-Rom-16 1-16 4-7-16 11-12-III.jpg|size=200px | name=Papyrus 118, verso, 3rd century |caption=<div style="width: 250px; text-align: center; line-height: 1em">[[Epistle to the Romans]] 16:1,4–7, 11–12 in [[Papyrus 118]] (''verso'' side), written in the 3rd century.</div>}}
{{Bible chapter|letname=Romans 16|previouslink= Romans 15 |previousletter= chapter 15 |nextlink= 1 Corinthians 1 |nextletter= 1 Corinthians 1 |book= [[Epistle to the Romans]] |biblepart=[[New Testament]] | booknum= 6 |category= [[Pauline epistles]] | filename= P118-Rom-16 1-16 4-7-16 11-12-III.jpg|size=200px | name=Papyrus 118, verso, 3rd century |caption=[[Epistle to the Romans]] 16:1,4–7, 11–12 in [[Papyrus 118]] (''verso'' side), written in the 3rd century.}}

'''Romans 16''' is the sixteenth (and the last) [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|chapter]] of the [[Epistle to the Romans]] in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]]. It is authored by [[Paul the Apostle]], while Paul was in [[Corinth]] in the mid 50s AD,{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1084}} with the help of a secretary ([[amanuensis]]), [[Tertius of Iconium|Tertius]], who adds his own greeting in [[#Verse 22|Romans 16:22]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Donaldson | first= Terence L. |chapter = 63. Introduction to the Pauline Corpus | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 1077 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ | isbn = 978-0199277186}}</ref> Chapter 16 contains Paul's personal recommendation, personal greetings, final admonition, grace, greetings from companions, identification of writer/amanuensis and blessing.{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1107}} The [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|chapter]] is divided into 27 verses.
'''Romans 16''' is the sixteenth (and the last) [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|chapter]] of the [[Epistle to the Romans]] in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]]. It is authored by [[Paul the Apostle]], while Paul was in [[Corinth]] in the mid-50s AD,{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1084}} with the help of a secretary ([[amanuensis]]), [[Tertius of Iconium|Tertius]], who adds his own greeting in [[#Verse 22|Romans 16:22]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Donaldson | first= Terence L. |chapter = 63. Introduction to the Pauline Corpus | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 1077 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ | isbn = 978-0199277186}}</ref> Chapter 16 contains Paul's personal recommendation, personal greetings, final admonition, grace, greetings from companions, identification of writer/amanuensis and blessing.{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1107}} The [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|chapter]] is divided into 27 verses.


==Textual witnesses==
==Textual witnesses==
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{{main|Phoebe (biblical figure)}}
{{main|Phoebe (biblical figure)}}


:''{{sup|1}}I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea, {{sup|2}}that you welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.''<ref>{{bibleref2|Romans|16:1–2|MEV}} [[Modern English Version|MEV]]</ref>
{{quote|{{sup|1}}I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea, {{sup|2}}that you welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.|Romans 16:1–2, [[Modern English Version]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:1–2|MEV}} [[Modern English Version|MEV]]</ref>}}

"[[Phoebe (biblical figure)|Phoebe]]": is described as a "servant" ({{lang-gr|διακονον}}, diakonon) of the church in the New King James Version, as a "[[deacon]]" in the [[New International Version]] and the [[New Revised Standard Version]], a "[[deaconess]]" in the [[Revised Standard Version]] and the [[Jerusalem Bible]], and a "leader" in the [[Contemporary English Version]]. According to the contemporary idiom in [[The Message (Bible)|The Message]], she was "a key representative of the church at [[Cenchreae]]" (or Cenchrea).<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016:1-3&version=MSG Romans 16:1-3 The Message]</ref> The Jerusalem Bible suggests she was "probably the bearer of the letter" <ref>Footnote in Jerusalem Bible at Romans 16:1, Darton, Longman & Todd, 1966</ref> and verse 2 suggests she also had other "business" <ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016:1-3&version=GNV Romans 16:1-3 Geneva Bible]</ref> to deal with in Rome.
"[[Phoebe (biblical figure)|Phoebe]]" is described as a "servant" ({{lang-grc|διακονον|diakonon|label=none}}) of the church in the New King James Version, as a "[[deacon]]" in the [[New International Version]] and the [[New Revised Standard Version]], a "[[deaconess]]" in the [[Revised Standard Version]] and the [[Jerusalem Bible]], and a "leader" in the [[Contemporary English Version]]. According to the contemporary idiom in [[The Message (Bible)|The Message]], she was "a key representative of the church at [[Cenchreae]]" (or Cenchrea).<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016:1-3&version=MSG Romans 16:1-3 The Message]</ref> The Jerusalem Bible suggests she was "probably the bearer of the letter" <ref>Footnote in Jerusalem Bible at Romans 16:1, Darton, Longman & Todd, 1966</ref> and verse 2 suggests she also had other "business"<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016:1-3&version=GNV Romans 16:1-3 Geneva Bible]</ref> to deal with in Rome.


=={{Anchor|Verse 3–4}}Priscilla and Aquila (16:3–4)==
=={{Anchor|Verse 3–4}}Priscilla and Aquila (16:3–4)==
{{main|Priscilla and Aquila}}
{{main|Priscilla and Aquila}}


:''{{sup|3}}Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, {{sup|4}}who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.''<ref>{{bibleref2|Romans|16:3–4|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
{{quote|{{sup|3}}Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, {{sup|4}}who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.|Romans 16:3–4, [[New King James Version]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:3–4|NKJV}} [[New King James Version|NKJV]]</ref>}}

"Priscilla": is a diminutive and affectionate name for Prisca. She and her husband, Aquila, were expelled from Rome as Jews under Claudius, and had been converted at Corinth by Paul ([[Acts 18:1]]).<ref name=meyer>Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm (1880). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/romans/16.htm ''Commentary on the New Testament.'' Romans 16]. Translation by Peter Christie from Meyer's sixth edition. Accessed February 14, 2019.</ref> Priscilla was remarkably mentioned first, perhaps inferring that she was 'the more active and conspicuous of the two'<ref name=ellicott/> as also in [[Acts 18:18]] and [[2 Timothy 4:19]]; except in [[1 Corinthians 16:19]], where they send greetings, the husband naturally gets a precedence.<ref name=expositor>[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/romans/16.htm Expositor's Greek Testament. Romans 16]. Accessed 24 April 2019.</ref>
"Priscilla" is a diminutive and affectionate name for 'Prisca'. She and her husband, Aquila, were expelled from Rome as Jews under Claudius, and had been converted at Corinth by Paul ([[Acts 18:1]]).<ref name=meyer>Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm (1880). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/romans/16.htm ''Commentary on the New Testament.'' Romans 16]. Translation by Peter Christie from Meyer's sixth edition. Accessed February 14, 2019.</ref> Priscilla was remarkably mentioned first, perhaps inferring that she was "the more active and conspicuous of the two"<ref name=ellicott/> as also in [[Acts 18:18]] and [[2 Timothy 4:19]]; except in [[1 Corinthians 16:19]], where they send greetings, her husband takes precedence.<ref name=expositor>[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/romans/16.htm Expositor's Greek Testament. Romans 16]. Accessed 24 April 2019.</ref>


Afterwards this married couple appear in Paul's company at Ephesus ([[Acts 18:18]]; [[Acts 18:26]]; [[1 Corinthians 16:19]]). When this Epistle was written they were at Rome, but later they seem to have returned to Ephesus ([[2 Timothy 4:19]]).<ref name=ellicott/>
Afterwards this married couple appear in Paul's company at Ephesus ([[Acts 18:18]]; [[Acts 18:26]]; [[1 Corinthians 16:19]]). When this Epistle was written they were at Rome, but later they seem to have returned to Ephesus ([[2 Timothy 4:19]]).<ref name=ellicott/>
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{{main|Andronicus of Pannonia|Junia (New Testament person)}}
{{main|Andronicus of Pannonia|Junia (New Testament person)}}


:''Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:7|KJV}} KJV</ref>
{{quote|Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.|Romans 16:7, [[King James Version]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:7|KJV}} [[King James Version|KJV]]</ref>}}

*"Andronicus": was a kinsman of Paul and a fellow prisoner at some time, particularly well-known among the apostles; who had become a follower of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] before [[Conversion of Paul|Paul's]] Damascus road conversion, and whom Paul commended together with Junia as being remarkable Christian workers and "apostles" alongside Silas, Timothy, and others given that title in the early Church.<ref>Stagg, Evelyn and Frank Stagg. ''Woman in the World of Jesus.'' Westminster Press, 1978. {{ISBN|0-664-24195-6}}</ref>
*"Junia": Despite the existence of a view in the past that this was a man named Junias ({{lang|grc|Ἰουνιᾶς}} or {{lang|grc|Ἰουνίας}}, the latter being the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī), the consensus among most modern New Testament scholars is that this person was a woman named Junia ({{lang|grc|Ἰουνία}}),<ref name=Wolters>[[Al Wolters]], "[http://www.michaelsheiser.com/TheNakedBible/Iounian%20as%20a%20mans%20name%20in%20Rom%20167.pdf ΙΟΥΝΙΑΝ (Romans 16:7) and the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī]," ''[[Journal of Biblical Literature|JBL]]'' 127 (2008), 397.</ref> whom [[Paul the Apostle]] may have considered as an [[apostle]].<ref name=Epp>Epp, Eldon. ''Junia, the First Woman Apostle.'' Augsburg Fortress, 2005. {{ISBN|0-8006-3771-2}}</ref> Craig Hill states that no example has been found for the masculine form "Junias", while the feminine form of "Junia" is "very well attested", so the rendering to "Junias" in some Bible versions is a "scandalous mistranslation".{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1107}}
*"Andronicus" was a kinsman of Paul and a fellow prisoner at some time, particularly well known among the apostles, who had become a follower of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] before Paul's [[Conversion of Paul|conversion on the road to Damascus]], and whom Paul commended together with Junia as being remarkable Christian workers and "apostles" alongside Silas, Timothy, and others given that title in the early Church.<ref>Stagg, Evelyn and Frank Stagg. ''Woman in the World of Jesus.'' Westminster Press, 1978. {{ISBN|0-664-24195-6}}</ref>
*"Junia": Despite the existence of a view in the past that this was a man named Junias ({{lang|grc|Ἰουνιᾶς}} or {{lang|grc|Ἰουνίας}}, the latter being the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī), the consensus among most modern New Testament scholars is that this person was a woman named Junia ({{lang|grc|Ἰουνία}}),<ref name=Wolters>[[Al Wolters]], "[http://www.michaelsheiser.com/TheNakedBible/Iounian%20as%20a%20mans%20name%20in%20Rom%20167.pdf ΙΟΥΝΙΑΝ (Romans 16:7) and the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī]," ''[[Journal of Biblical Literature|JBL]]'' 127 (2008), 397.</ref> whom [[Paul the Apostle]] may have considered as an [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostle]].<ref name=Epp>Epp, Eldon. ''Junia, the First Woman Apostle.'' Augsburg Fortress, 2005. {{ISBN|0-8006-3771-2}}</ref> Craig Hill states that no example has been found for the masculine form 'Junias', while the feminine form of 'Junia' is "very well attested", so the rendering to 'Junias' in some Bible versions is a "scandalous mistranslation".{{sfn|Hill|2007|p=1107}}


=={{Anchor|Verse 22}}Tertius (16:22)==
=={{Anchor|Verse 22}}Tertius (16:22)==
{{main|Tertius of Iconium}}
{{main|Tertius of Iconium}}


:''I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:22|KJV}} KJV</ref>
{{quote|I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.|Romans 16:22, King James Version<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:22|KJV}} KJV</ref>}}
"Tertius": He was an [[amanuensis]] of the apostle, who wrote this letter, either from the apostle's notes, or from his mouth.<ref name=gill/> This name is a Latin one, and perhaps the person might be a Roman, for the names Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, etc. were common with the Romans, although it could be argued that this man was the same with [[Silas]], which Hebrew word is the same as ''Tertius''.<ref name=gill/> Silas is known as a companion of apostle Paul, also is numbered among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of [[Konya|Iconium]] (See [[Luke 10|Luke]] {{bibleverse-nb|Luke|10:1|KJV}}).<ref name=gill/> The phrase "in the Lord" could be connected with "wrote this epistle" and make the sense that Tertius wrote this epistle for the Lord's sake (not by inspiration, but being only scribe to the apostle). However, that phrase is better connected with the word "salute" and the sense is that his salutation was meant to wish the people well in the Lord, so that "they might have much communion with him".<ref name=gill>[[John Gill (theologian)|Gill, John]]. [http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/romans-16-22.html ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'' – Romans 16:22]</ref>


"Tertius" was an [[amanuensis]] of the apostle, who wrote this letter, either from the apostle's notes, or from dictation.<ref name=gill/> His name is a Latin one, and perhaps the person might be a Roman, for the names Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, etc. were common with the Romans, although it could be argued that this man was the same with [[Silas]], which Hebrew word is the same as ''Tertius''.<ref name=gill/> Silas is known as a companion of apostle Paul, also is numbered among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of [[Konya|Iconium]] (see [[Luke 10]]:1).<ref name=gill/> The phrase "in the Lord" could be connected with "wrote this epistle" and make the sense that Tertius wrote this epistle for the Lord's sake (not by inspiration, but being only scribe to the apostle). However, that phrase is better connected with the word "salute" and the sense is that his salutation was meant to wish the people well in the Lord, so that "they might have much communion with him".<ref name=gill>[[John Gill (theologian)|Gill, John]]. [http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/romans-16-22.html ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'' – Romans 16:22]</ref>
=={{Anchor|Verse 23}}Verse 23: Gaius, Erastus and Quartus==

=={{Anchor|Verse 23}}Gaius, Erastus and Quartus (16:23)==
{{main|Gaius (biblical figure)|Erastus of Corinth|Quartus}}
{{main|Gaius (biblical figure)|Erastus of Corinth|Quartus}}


:''Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.''<ref>{{bibleref2|Romans|16:23|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
{{quote|Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.|Romans 16:23, New King James Version<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:23|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>}}

*"[[Erastus of Corinth|Erastus]]" (Greek: {{lang|el|Ἔραστος}}, ''Erastos''): also known as "Erastus of Paneas", was a [[Steward (office)|steward]] ({{lang-el|οἰκονόμος}}, ''oikonomos'') in [[Corinth]], a political office of high civic status. The word is defined as "the manager of household or of household affairs" or, in this context, "treasurer";<ref>{{cite web|title=οἰκονόμος|url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3623|work=Blue Letter Bible -Lexicon|access-date=18 May 2012|trans-title=Steward}}</ref> The [[King James Version]] uses the translation "chamberlain", while the [[New International Version]] uses "director of public works". An inscription mentioning an Erastus was found in 1929 near a paved area northeast of the theater of Corinth, dated to the mid-first century and reads "Erastus in return for his [[aedile]]ship paved it at his own expense."<ref>{{cite web|title=PH209961|url=http://epigraphy.packhum.org/inscriptions/main?url=oi%3Fikey%3D209961%26bookid%3D223%26region%3D2%26subregion%3D1|work=Searchable Greek Inscriptions|publisher=The Packard Humanities Institute|access-date=18 May 2012}} Inscription: {{lang-la|ERASTVS. PRO. AED. S. P. STRAVIT}}, abbreviated for ''ERASTUS PRO AEDILITATE SUA PECUNIA STRAVIT''.</ref> Some New Testament scholars have identified this aedile Erastus with the Erastus mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans but this is disputed by others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=GILL|first=David|date=1989|title=David W.J. Gill, “Erastus The Aedile.” Tyndale Bulletin 40.2 (1989): 298.|journal=Tyndale Bulletin 40.2|pages=298}}</ref>
*"[[Erastus of Corinth|Erastus]]" (Greek: {{lang-grc|Ἔραστος|Erastos|label=none}}): also known as "Erastus of Paneas", was a [[Steward (office)|steward]] ({{lang-grc|οἰκονόμος|oikonomos|label=none}}) in [[Corinth]], a political office of high civic status. The word is defined as "the manager of household or of household affairs" or, in this context, "treasurer";<ref>{{cite web|title=οἰκονόμος|url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3623|work=Blue Letter Bible -Lexicon|access-date=18 May 2012|trans-title=Steward}}</ref> the [[King James Version]] uses the translation "chamberlain", while the [[New International Version]] uses "director of public works". An inscription mentioning an Erastus was found in 1929 near a paved area northeast of the theater of Corinth, dated to the mid-first century and reads "Erastus in return for his [[aedile]]ship paved it at his own expense."<ref>{{cite web|title=PH209961|url=http://epigraphy.packhum.org/inscriptions/main?url=oi%3Fikey%3D209961%26bookid%3D223%26region%3D2%26subregion%3D1|work=Searchable Greek Inscriptions|publisher=The Packard Humanities Institute|access-date=18 May 2012}} Inscription: {{lang-la|ERASTVS. PRO. AED. S. P. STRAVIT}}, abbreviated for ''ERASTUS PRO AEDILITATE SUA PECUNIA STRAVIT''.</ref> Some New Testament scholars have identified this aedile Erastus with the Erastus mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans but this is disputed by others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=GILL|first=David|date=1989|title=David W.J. Gill, “Erastus The Aedile.” Tyndale Bulletin 40.2 (1989): 298.|journal=Tyndale Bulletin 40.2|pages=298}}</ref>
*"[[Quartus]]": the description "a brother" is interpreted by most scholars as "a fellow believer", rather than 'a brother of [[Erastus of Corinth|Erastus]]'.<ref>[[John Murray (theologian)|John Murray]], ''Epistle to the Romans, Volume II'', p. 239.</ref> According to church tradition, he is known as "Quartus of Berytus", a [[Bishop]] of [[Beirut]] (around AD 50) and one of the seventy disciples.<ref>{{citation|last=Smith |first=William |title=Smith's Bible Dictionary |year=1967 | publisher=Revell |location=Westwood |oclc=6053170|contribution= Quartus |contribution-url= http://www.christnotes.org/dictionary.php?dict=sbd&id=3545}}</ref><ref>Goodrich, J. (2011). Erastus of Corinth (Romans 16.23): Responding to Recent Proposals on his Rank, Status, and Faith. ''New Testament Studies'', 57(4), 583-593. doi:10.1017/S0028688511000063</ref>
*"[[Quartus]]": the description "a brother" is interpreted by most scholars as "a fellow believer", rather than 'a brother of [[Erastus of Corinth|Erastus]]'.<ref>[[John Murray (theologian)|John Murray]], ''Epistle to the Romans, Volume II'', p. 239.</ref> According to church tradition, he is known as "Quartus of Berytus", a [[bishop]] of [[Beirut]] (around AD 50) and one of the seventy disciples.<ref>{{citation|last=Smith |first=William |title=Smith's Bible Dictionary |year=1967 | publisher=Revell |location=Westwood |oclc=6053170|contribution= Quartus |contribution-url= http://www.christnotes.org/dictionary.php?dict=sbd&id=3545}}</ref><ref>Goodrich, J. (2011). Erastus of Corinth (Romans 16.23): Responding to Recent Proposals on his Rank, Status, and Faith. ''New Testament Studies'', 57(4), 583-593. doi:10.1017/S0028688511000063</ref>

=={{Anchor|Verse 27}}Doxology (16:27)==

{{quote|To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.|Romans 16:27, King James Version<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:27|KJV}} KJV</ref>}}

Paul's doxology in the conclusion of the epistle, aside from effectively summing up some of the key themes, gives a high note of ascription of glory to "the only wise God".{{sfn|Moo|1994|p=1160}}

== Controversy ==
There are many scholars says that Epistle to the Romans original letter ended with [[Romans 14|14:23]] because, they believe that this doxology (along with much of chapters 15 and 16) were added later to summarize the contents of the letter and to provide a less abrupt ending.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SW-Admin |title=Romans 16:25-27 |url=https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/romans-1625-27/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Sermon Writer |language=en-US}}</ref>Some of them said the end of the original is in chapter [[Romans 15|15]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 16 in Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Dispensable Tagalong or Valuable Envelope? |url=https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/chapter-16-pauls-letter-romans/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=CBE International |language=en-US}}</ref>There are Romans [[Manuscript|manuscripts]] end in chapter 15 and other manuscripts place chapter 16 between chapters 14 and 15.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-28 |title=Q&A 1151 — Romans 16 original? |url=https://www.douglasjacoby.com/q-a-1151-romans-16-original/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Douglas Jacoby |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Verse 16:24 ===
Many translations exclude this verse altogether, skipping from verse 23 to verse 25, because most of the older manuscripts, discovered some time after chapter and verse numbers were applied to Romans, do not have them, it is generally omitted from the final translation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What does Romans 16:24 mean? |url=https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/16/Romans-16-24.html |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=BibleRef.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Protestantism|Protestants]] usually omit verse 16:24 but the [[Anglicanism|Anglican Church]] accepts it as canonical.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wayne |first=Luke |date=2018-10-31 |title=Was Romans 16:24 removed from modern Bibles? |url=https://carm.org/king-james-onlyism/was-romans-1624-removed-from-modern-bibles/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry |language=en-US}}</ref>


Arland J. Hultgren said:
=={{Anchor|Verse 27}}Verse 27: Doxology==


{{quote|They are missing altogether in some Greek witnesses; alternatively, they appear at the end of chapter 14 in some [[Old Greek language|Greek]] texts; and they appear after chapter 15 in others. (There are even more variations than these!) So many textual variations makes these verses highly suspect, causing one to question whether they were part of the version that came from the hand of Tertius, Paul’s amanuensis (Romans 16:22).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-21 |title=Commentary on Romans 16:25-27 |url=https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-advent-2/commentary-on-romans-1625-27-3 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Working Preacher from Luther Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
:''To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|16:27|KJV}} KJV</ref>
Paul's doxology in the conclusion of the epistle, aside from effectively summing up some of the key themes, gives a high note of ascription of glory to ''the only wise God''.{{sfn|Moo|1994|p=1160}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cenchrea]]
* [[Cenchrea]]
* [[Herodion of Patras]]
* [[Rufus (biblical figure)|Rufus]]
* [[Rufus (biblical figure)|Rufus]]
* Related [[Bible]] parts: [[Mark 15]], [[Acts 18]]
* Related [[Bible]] parts: [[Mark 15]], [[Acts 18]]

Revision as of 10:02, 20 July 2024

Romans 16
Epistle to the Romans 16:1,4–7, 11–12 in Papyrus 118 (verso side), written in the 3rd century.
BookEpistle to the Romans
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part6

Romans 16 is the sixteenth (and the last) chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while Paul was in Corinth in the mid-50s AD,[1] with the help of a secretary (amanuensis), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.[2] Chapter 16 contains Paul's personal recommendation, personal greetings, final admonition, grace, greetings from companions, identification of writer/amanuensis and blessing.[3] The chapter is divided into 27 verses.

Textual witnesses

The original text was written in Koine Greek. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Phoebe (16:1–2)

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea, 2that you welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.

— Romans 16:1–2, Modern English Version[4]

"Phoebe" is described as a "servant" (διακονον, diakonon) of the church in the New King James Version, as a "deacon" in the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version, a "deaconess" in the Revised Standard Version and the Jerusalem Bible, and a "leader" in the Contemporary English Version. According to the contemporary idiom in The Message, she was "a key representative of the church at Cenchreae" (or Cenchrea).[5] The Jerusalem Bible suggests she was "probably the bearer of the letter" [6] and verse 2 suggests she also had other "business"[7] to deal with in Rome.

Priscilla and Aquila (16:3–4)

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

— Romans 16:3–4, New King James Version[8]

"Priscilla" is a diminutive and affectionate name for 'Prisca'. She and her husband, Aquila, were expelled from Rome as Jews under Claudius, and had been converted at Corinth by Paul (Acts 18:1).[9] Priscilla was remarkably mentioned first, perhaps inferring that she was "the more active and conspicuous of the two"[10] as also in Acts 18:18 and 2 Timothy 4:19; except in 1 Corinthians 16:19, where they send greetings, her husband takes precedence.[11]

Afterwards this married couple appear in Paul's company at Ephesus (Acts 18:18; Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19). When this Epistle was written they were at Rome, but later they seem to have returned to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19).[10]

"Aquila" was a Jew of Pontus. There is another Jew named Aquila from Pontus (Sinope), living more than a century later, who made a translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) into Greek, critically compared with the LXX in the Hexapla of Origen.[10]

Andronicus and Junia (16:7)

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

— Romans 16:7, King James Version[12]
  • "Andronicus" was a kinsman of Paul and a fellow prisoner at some time, particularly well known among the apostles, who had become a follower of Jesus Christ before Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and whom Paul commended together with Junia as being remarkable Christian workers and "apostles" alongside Silas, Timothy, and others given that title in the early Church.[13]
  • "Junia": Despite the existence of a view in the past that this was a man named Junias (Ἰουνιᾶς or Ἰουνίας, the latter being the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī), the consensus among most modern New Testament scholars is that this person was a woman named Junia (Ἰουνία),[14] whom Paul the Apostle may have considered as an apostle.[15] Craig Hill states that no example has been found for the masculine form 'Junias', while the feminine form of 'Junia' is "very well attested", so the rendering to 'Junias' in some Bible versions is a "scandalous mistranslation".[3]

Tertius (16:22)

I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

— Romans 16:22, King James Version[16]

"Tertius" was an amanuensis of the apostle, who wrote this letter, either from the apostle's notes, or from dictation.[17] His name is a Latin one, and perhaps the person might be a Roman, for the names Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, etc. were common with the Romans, although it could be argued that this man was the same with Silas, which Hebrew word is the same as Tertius.[17] Silas is known as a companion of apostle Paul, also is numbered among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Iconium (see Luke 10:1).[17] The phrase "in the Lord" could be connected with "wrote this epistle" and make the sense that Tertius wrote this epistle for the Lord's sake (not by inspiration, but being only scribe to the apostle). However, that phrase is better connected with the word "salute" and the sense is that his salutation was meant to wish the people well in the Lord, so that "they might have much communion with him".[17]

Gaius, Erastus and Quartus (16:23)

Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.

— Romans 16:23, New King James Version[18]
  • "Erastus" (Greek: Ἔραστος, Erastos): also known as "Erastus of Paneas", was a steward (οἰκονόμος, oikonomos) in Corinth, a political office of high civic status. The word is defined as "the manager of household or of household affairs" or, in this context, "treasurer";[19] the King James Version uses the translation "chamberlain", while the New International Version uses "director of public works". An inscription mentioning an Erastus was found in 1929 near a paved area northeast of the theater of Corinth, dated to the mid-first century and reads "Erastus in return for his aedileship paved it at his own expense."[20] Some New Testament scholars have identified this aedile Erastus with the Erastus mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans but this is disputed by others.[21]
  • "Quartus": the description "a brother" is interpreted by most scholars as "a fellow believer", rather than 'a brother of Erastus'.[22] According to church tradition, he is known as "Quartus of Berytus", a bishop of Beirut (around AD 50) and one of the seventy disciples.[23][24]

Doxology (16:27)

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

— Romans 16:27, King James Version[25]

Paul's doxology in the conclusion of the epistle, aside from effectively summing up some of the key themes, gives a high note of ascription of glory to "the only wise God".[26]

Controversy

There are many scholars says that Epistle to the Romans original letter ended with 14:23 because, they believe that this doxology (along with much of chapters 15 and 16) were added later to summarize the contents of the letter and to provide a less abrupt ending.[27]Some of them said the end of the original is in chapter 15[28]There are Romans manuscripts end in chapter 15 and other manuscripts place chapter 16 between chapters 14 and 15.[29]

Verse 16:24

Many translations exclude this verse altogether, skipping from verse 23 to verse 25, because most of the older manuscripts, discovered some time after chapter and verse numbers were applied to Romans, do not have them, it is generally omitted from the final translation.[30] Protestants usually omit verse 16:24 but the Anglican Church accepts it as canonical.[31]

Arland J. Hultgren said:

They are missing altogether in some Greek witnesses; alternatively, they appear at the end of chapter 14 in some Greek texts; and they appear after chapter 15 in others. (There are even more variations than these!) So many textual variations makes these verses highly suspect, causing one to question whether they were part of the version that came from the hand of Tertius, Paul’s amanuensis (Romans 16:22).[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hill 2007, p. 1084.
  2. ^ Donaldson, Terence L. (2007). "63. Introduction to the Pauline Corpus". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 1077. ISBN 978-0199277186.
  3. ^ a b Hill 2007, p. 1107.
  4. ^ Romans 16:1–2 MEV
  5. ^ Romans 16:1-3 The Message
  6. ^ Footnote in Jerusalem Bible at Romans 16:1, Darton, Longman & Todd, 1966
  7. ^ Romans 16:1-3 Geneva Bible
  8. ^ Romans 16:3–4 NKJV
  9. ^ Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm (1880). Commentary on the New Testament. Romans 16. Translation by Peter Christie from Meyer's sixth edition. Accessed February 14, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Ellicott, C. J. (Ed.) 1905). Ellicott's Bible Commentary for English Readers. Romans 16. London : Cassell and Company, Limited, [1905-1906] Online version: (OCoLC) 929526708. Accessed 28 April 2019.
  11. ^ Expositor's Greek Testament. Romans 16. Accessed 24 April 2019.
  12. ^ Romans 16:7 KJV
  13. ^ Stagg, Evelyn and Frank Stagg. Woman in the World of Jesus. Westminster Press, 1978. ISBN 0-664-24195-6
  14. ^ Al Wolters, "ΙΟΥΝΙΑΝ (Romans 16:7) and the Hebrew name Yĕḥunnī," JBL 127 (2008), 397.
  15. ^ Epp, Eldon. Junia, the First Woman Apostle. Augsburg Fortress, 2005. ISBN 0-8006-3771-2
  16. ^ Romans 16:22 KJV
  17. ^ a b c d Gill, John. Exposition of the Entire Bible – Romans 16:22
  18. ^ Romans 16:23 NKJV
  19. ^ "οἰκονόμος" [Steward]. Blue Letter Bible -Lexicon. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  20. ^ "PH209961". Searchable Greek Inscriptions. The Packard Humanities Institute. Retrieved 18 May 2012. Inscription: Latin: ERASTVS. PRO. AED. S. P. STRAVIT, abbreviated for ERASTUS PRO AEDILITATE SUA PECUNIA STRAVIT.
  21. ^ GILL, David (1989). "David W.J. Gill, "Erastus The Aedile." Tyndale Bulletin 40.2 (1989): 298". Tyndale Bulletin 40.2: 298.
  22. ^ John Murray, Epistle to the Romans, Volume II, p. 239.
  23. ^ Smith, William (1967), "Quartus", Smith's Bible Dictionary, Westwood: Revell, OCLC 6053170
  24. ^ Goodrich, J. (2011). Erastus of Corinth (Romans 16.23): Responding to Recent Proposals on his Rank, Status, and Faith. New Testament Studies, 57(4), 583-593. doi:10.1017/S0028688511000063
  25. ^ Romans 16:27 KJV
  26. ^ Moo 1994, p. 1160.
  27. ^ SW-Admin. "Romans 16:25-27". Sermon Writer. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  28. ^ "Chapter 16 in Paul's Letter to the Romans: Dispensable Tagalong or Valuable Envelope?". CBE International. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  29. ^ "Q&A 1151 — Romans 16 original?". Douglas Jacoby. 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  30. ^ "What does Romans 16:24 mean?". BibleRef.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  31. ^ Wayne, Luke (2018-10-31). "Was Romans 16:24 removed from modern Bibles?". Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  32. ^ "Commentary on Romans 16:25-27". Working Preacher from Luther Seminary. 2014-12-21. Retrieved 2024-05-17.

Sources