Romans - Week 39

Watch for Deceivers

READ

Romans 16:17-18

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

Some think that only a doctrinal difference justifies removing a person from the local church fellowship. Paul also warns about those who cause divisions. They “upset people’s faith.” This can be done through legalism related to salvation, Christian maturity, or cultural differences. These would be extra requirements added to the Scriptures. Paul says those who add these are “serving their own personal interests.”

REFLECT

When you think believers should heed certain rules, are these based on the Scripture or your opinions?

RESPOND

Read Proverbs 6:16-19. This passage lists serious sins, and the last one applies to believers who cause divisions. Talk with your disciple about how you can do more to bring harmony in your church fellowship rather than disunity.

Be Wise in Doing Right

READ

Romans 16:19-20

19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Paul reminds the believers to whom he is writing that their obedience to the Lord is well known. Note that this made him exceedingly happy. He was concerned his followers would do right and stay innocent of any wrong. In the midst of spiritual warfare, Paul reminded his readers, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan.” In spite of those who would teach trying to merit something before God, Paul referred to the grace of the Lord Jesus and asked that this grace be with them.

REFLECT

Do you also have the testimony that you are obedient to the Lord? This would certainly please whoever helped you to learn about Jesus and trust Him as Savior.

RESPOND

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 to see what Paul considered his crown of rejoicing. Is this also true for you and your disciple?

Timothy and Tertius

READ

Romans 16:21-22

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

Those to whom Paul was writing would be pleased to know Timothy also sent greetings to them. Tertius adds his greetings and refers to himself as “the one writing this letter for Paul.” It was customary in those times for a letter to be dictated to someone. Tertius was the one to whom Paul dictated the letter to the Romans. Tertius described himself as “one of the Lord’s followers.” This is the only time his name is found in the New Testament.

REFLECT

Can you think of a one-line description of yourself as Tertius did for himself?

RESPOND

You and your disciple should do this exercise: compose a one-line description of yourselves that you would want others to know in the future.

The Plan Revealed

READ

Romans 16:23-25

23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

Gaius was the host for the apostle Paul as well as for the whole church. Erastus and Quartus also sent their greetings. Some manuscripts differ about whether verse 24 should be inserted after verse 23. It reads, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” It was common for Paul to break into a doxology, and it may have been that a copyist added it here. In verse 25 Paul refers to a “secret” message about Jesus Christ that was not revealed in the Old Testament but was in the New Testament.

REFLECT

What would have been your response if you had the privilege to host the apostle Paul? As a believer, you have even a higher privilege because Jesus lives in you (see Colossians 1:27)

RESPOND

With your disciple, think about how you would address manuscript problems with others having questions about the Scriptures. Verse 24, as mentioned above, could be pointed out that it is found elsewhere in Paul’s writing so it is not contrary to things he said. You could also point out that in the various differences pointed out by others, no significant doctrine is involved.

The Message for the Gentiles

READ

Romans 16:26-27

26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Paul now explains what he referred to in verse 25 about something not revealed in the Old Testament. The prophets here referred to are New Testament prophets and what they revealed about the Gentiles. It was that both Gentiles and Jews would be in the same body—the body of Christ. Paul talks about this in Ephesians 3, but here just reminds the Gentiles that this was so they also might believe and obey Jesus. To this thought, Paul gives another praise to God as he closes his letter to the Romans.

REFLECT     

Have you thought about the fact that believers from every ethnic group are in the same body of Christ that you are?

RESPOND

Read Ephesians 3:1-7 to learn more about the “secret” or “mystery” to which Paul refers in Romans. Spend time with your disciple discussing some of the highlights you have taken away from your learning more about the book of Romans.