Romans 16:10-18

 

Rom 16:10 (KJV)
Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

It is believed that Apelles was approved in Christ by being tried for his faith. He also greets those who are of the house of Aristobulus. He is believed to have been a slave.

Rom 16:11 (KJV)
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

The name Herodion might possibly be a link to the household of Herod. It is believed that Narcissus was also a slave in Rome. Educated slaves in Rome were valuable and were used by wealthy people to educate and train their children. They even disciplined the children without fear of themselves facing torture.

Rom 16:12 (KJV)
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

Tryphena and Tryphosa were possibly twin sisters since their names were taken from the same root word which was common in ancient times. Persis was a woman who labored much in the Lord for the Gospel.

Rom 16:13 (KJV)
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Rufus must have been very close to Paul as he refers to the mother of Rufus as his mother also which would mean that she was very dear to Paul. (Mark 15:21 KJV) And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. It is a possibility that the Rufus mentioned in Romans is the same one who was the son of Simon of Cyrene. Cyrene was a town in Northeast Libya. It was a Greek colony founded in 630 BC and in Roman times it was a civilized area.

Rom 16:14 (KJV)
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

Paul greets these Christians known only to the Lord for their part in the ministry of the Gospel.

Rom 16:15 (KJV)
Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

Paul also mentions these Christian workers and all the Saints who were with them also.

Rom 16:16 (KJV)
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

The greeting with a kiss is still practiced in many parts of the world. Notice that Paul states it should be a holy kiss and not a sensual one. The kiss was practiced as a token of Christian love. (Psa 2:12 KJV) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. We see that principle in Psalm 2 concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. We spiritually kiss Him as a token of Christian love.

Rom 16:17 (KJV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Divisions - Dissension
Offences - Scandals

Paul here gives us a major principle in keeping the churches pure in doctrine. Notice he does not say, mark their doctrine! He tells us to mark them which cause divisions and offences. Those who cause dissension and scandals in the church must be avoided. The word “avoid” carries with it the meaning of “turn away.” This is hardly done today as so many unlearned Christians instantly claim that you are judging someone if you turn away from them. The truth is that God wants us turn away from these people because they are injurious to proper Biblical teachings and they can spiritually injure a Christian into disobeying the Lord. It is not wrong to name names, since we need to know who are the ones who are causing the divisions in the churches so we will not support them. (2 Th 3:6 KJV) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Rom 16:18 (KJV)
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

These people who come into churches and bring false doctrines are never serving the Lord Jesus Christ but are serving themselves and their own agendas. They use good words (kind words) and fair speeches (praise) and by using these two methods, they deceive the hearts of the simple. The word “simple carries with it the meaning of “innocent or lack of evil.” This means that those who are weaker in the faith, will not really know that they are being deceived and that is why these people must be removed from the assembly of believers. It would be for the protection of the weaker brethren. (Prov 27:12 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.