Romans 16

1 I commend [strongly recommend, introduce] to you our sister [fellow believer, Christian sibling] Phoebe, a [faithful, devoted] servant [deaconess, minister] of the church [assembly, community of believers] in [located at, belonging to] Cenchrea [a port city of Corinth, an early Christian community]. word study 2 Welcome her in the Lord [as becometh saints, in a manner worthy of holy ones] in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything [in whatsoever business, whatever matter] she may need from you. For she has been a great help [a succourer, patroness] to many people, including me. word study 3 Greet Prisca [a faithful Christian woman] and Aquila [my close associate], my fellow workers [co-laborers, helpers] in Christ Jesus [the Messiah, our Lord], word study 4 who have [laid down their own necks] risked their lives [souls, breath of life] for me [on my behalf, for my sake]. Not only I [alone, by myself] but all [every, the whole] the churches [assemblies, gatherings] of the Gentiles [nations, non-Jewish people] are [deeply, sincerely] grateful [thankful, giving thanks] to them [in appreciation, with gratitude]. word study 5 Greet also the church [assembly, community of believers] that meets at their house [home, dwelling place]. Greet my beloved [dearly loved, cherished] Epenetus, who was the first convert [firstfruits, initial harvest] to Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] in the province [region, area] of Asia [Achaia, a region in ancient Greece]. word study 6 Greet Mary [a devoted servant], who has worked [labored much, bestowed much effort] very hard [with great diligence, much labor] for you [toward your benefit, on your behalf]. word study 7 Greet Andronicus [my kinsmen, a relative] and Junia [a Christian woman, my fellow Jew], my fellow countrymen [from my own nation] and fellow prisoners [who shared my captivity]. They are outstanding [notable, of note] among the apostles [messengers of Jesus Christ], and they were in Christ [enjoined to Jesus, united with Him] before I was [before my conversion, earlier in faith]. word study 8 Greet [salute, give my love to] Ampliatus [Amplias, my dear friend], my [most] beloved [cherished, dearly loved] in [through, because of my relationship with] the Lord [God, Master]. word study 9 Greet Urbanus [our helper, co-worker], our fellow worker [laborer, partner] in Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], and my beloved [dearly loved, cherished] Stachys. word study 10 Greet Apelles [a trustworthy man, approved], who is [tested and] approved [in faith, character] in Christ [the Anointed One, Jesus]. Greet those [believers, saints] who belong to [are part of, from] the household [family, home] of Aristobulus [a Christian friend]. word study 11 Greet Herodion [my kinsman, a fellow Jew], my fellow countryman [a relative, someone from the same nation]. Greet those [who belong to] from the household of Narcissus [a Roman, possibly a Christian] who are [existing, living] in [under the authority of, among] the Lord [God, the supreme Master]. word study 12 Greet Tryphena [a luxurious or dainty woman] and Tryphosa [one who luxuriates or lives in luxury], women who have worked hard [labored, toiled] in the Lord [God, the supreme Master]. Greet my beloved [cherished, dearly loved] Persis, who has worked very hard [labored much, toiled diligently] in the Lord [God, the supreme Master]. word study 13 Greet Rufus [the chosen one, an outstanding Christian], chosen [select, favorite] in the Lord [God, the supreme authority], and his mother [who nurtured him, a maternal figure], who has been a mother [a caregiver, one who shows maternal love] to me as well [like a family member, a spiritual parent]. word study 14 Greet [salute, pay respects to] Asyncritus [a Christian leader], Phlegon [meaning blazing or fiery], Hermes [the messenger, a Christian], Patrobas [meaning father’s life], Hermas [a fellow believer], and the brothers [brethren, fellow believers] with [together, in companionship] them. word study 15 Greet Philologus [a lover of words] and Julia [a Christian woman], Nereus [a follower of Jesus] and his sister [a biological or spiritual sibling], and Olympas [a believer in Rome] and all [every single one] the saints [holy ones, set apart for God] with [in close association, together] them. word study 16 Greet [salute, pay respects to] one another [mutually, in a reciprocal manner] with a holy [set apart, sacred] kiss [a symbol of love and respect]. All the churches [assemblies, gatherings] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] send [extend, offer] you greetings [love, affection]. word study 17 Now I urge [plead with, comfort] you, brothers [fellow believers], to watch out [be aware, consider carefully] for those who create [cause, produce] divisions [dissensions, disagreements] and obstacles [stumbling blocks, offenses] that are contrary [opposed, against] to the teaching [doctrine, instruction] you have learned [received, understood]. Turn away [deviate, shun] from them [avoid, keep away from]. word study 18 For such people [those who are like this, of this kind] are not serving our Lord Christ [Jesus, the Messiah], but their own appetites [desires, belly, stomach]. By smooth talk [fair speech, flattering words] and flattery [praise, admiration] they deceive [beguile, completely trick] the hearts [seat of thoughts, feelings, emotions] of the naive [innocent, harmless, simple]. word study 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience [to God’s commands, faithfulness], so I rejoice [am glad, delight] over you. But I want you to be wise [discerning, skilled] about what is good [beneficial, righteous] and innocent [pure, guileless] about what is evil [harmful, wicked]. word study 20 The God [of all comfort and peace] of peace will soon [quickly, in a short time] crush [bruise, break, tread down] Satan [the adversary, accuser] under your feet [in a position of victory and authority]. The grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] be with you [in fellowship, guiding and empowering you]. word study 21 Timothy [my dear fellow, a trusted companion], my fellow worker [co-laborer, one who shares the workload], sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen [kinsmen, relatives, those who share my heritage]. word study 22 I, Tertius [the scribe, who wrote this epistle], who wrote down [recorded, penned] this letter [epistle, written message], greet [pay respects to, salute] you [directly, personally] in [with, among] the Lord [God, Master, having authority]. word study 23 Gaius [my host and friend], who has hosted me and all [the whole, entire] the church [assembly, community of believers], sends you greetings [his love]. Erastus [the city treasurer, manager], the city [municipal] treasurer [steward, overseer], sends you greetings [his best wishes], as does our [fellow, Christian] brother [believer, sibling in faith] Quartus. word study 25 Now to Him who is able [powerful, capable] to strengthen [establish, make you strong] you by my gospel and by the proclamation [preaching, message] of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation [unveiling, disclosure] of the mystery [secret, truth] concealed [kept secret, hidden] for ages [eternity, times] past word study 26 but now revealed [made manifest, made clear] and made known [declared, disclosed] through the writings [scriptures, prophetic writings] of the prophets by the command [order, commandment] of the eternal God [everlasting God, age-during God], in order to lead [guide, direct] all nations [peoples, Gentiles] to the obedience [submission, compliance] that comes from faith [trust, belief] — word study 27 to the only wise God [Sovereign, All-knowing] be glory [honor, praise] forever [for all eternity, to the ages] through Jesus Christ [the Messiah]! Amen. word study