Romans 16

Romans 16:2

Readily receive her into your religious fellowship, and 12 L assist her in transacting her civil affairs at Rome; for she has generously and hospitably entertained, sheltered, and provided for, many poor Christians and destitute strangers. 3, 4. They very much assisted and encouraged me in my ministerial labours at Corinth; and, when I was in danger, they exposed their very lives in order to save me

Romans 16:5

Their religious family, by the blessing of God on their good example, diligent instructions, and prudent regulations, is like a church of Christ for its stated worship of God, purity of manners, and beautiful order.—Epenetus was the first converted to Christ in all the regions of Achaia, and an honourable pledge and earnest of that great harvest of souls which have been since gathered unto the Lord. 7—9, 13. In Christ, or in the Lord, denotes being united to, beloved by, and believing in, him, and holding fellowship with him

Romans 16:10

Apelles hath been tried, proved, and justly accounted a judicious, faithful, and zealous, disciple and servant of, and sufferer for, Christ

Romans 16:16

A kiss attended with the utmost chastity, sincerity, and spiritual affection, as becometh saints, who love one another with a pure heart fervently

Romans 16:17

In order to cultivate and maintain true Christian love among yourselves, carefully watch against, and avoid, all those teachers, or others, who attempt to form parties among you, and to introduce pernicious opinions and practices, contrary to the pure truths of the gospel which ye have been taught by the inspired servants of Christ

Romans 16:18

For whoever are of such a spirit and temper, and carry on such designs, are not the true servants of our Lord Jesus, the only Prophet, Priest, and King, of his church; nor do they sincerely aim at promoting his interests and glory in the world, but seek to avoid persecution, gain the favour of worldly men, and gratify their own sensual appetites:—to compass which vile ends, they, by high pretensions of kindness for you, or zeal for God’s truths and honours, attempt to impose on the good temper and credulity of weak and incautious, though well-meaning, persons, to turn them aside from the ways of the Lord

Romans 16:19

I am indeed glad that your ready reception of the gospel, and obedience of faith, are become so exemplary and famous in the churches; and that hitherto no seducers have been able to draw you away from the simplicity which is in Christ: but considering your own weakness and depravity of nature, and the subtlety of Satan and his instruments, it is absolutely necessary for you to be very prudent and watchful, able to make a difference between good and evil, truth and error; and so inoffensive, plain-hearted, and sincere, that ye may neither deceive nor injure others, nor be deceived nor injured by them;—quite unacquainted with all envious, spiteful, and mischievous arts. 20, 24. And, for your comfort and encouragement, remember that your gracious and reconciled God, who is the author of all true peace, and delights in your being at peace among yourselves, will stand by you, and in a little time subdue Satan and his emissaries, and defeat their malicious power and subtlety, by his providence and grace, and render you at last fully victorious and eternally triumphant over them.—And, for this end, my fervent, my repeated, prayer to God for you is, that the free favour of your and my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in all its special fruits and effects, and all communications of grace from him, may be continually and abundantly with you, to guide and strengthen, sanctify and comfort, defend and save, you, and carry you through all temptations and dangers, till ye arrive, with triumph, at his heavenly kingdom

Romans 16:25-27

Now to that great, gracious, and almighty, God, who is able to defeat all the attempts of your spiritual enemies, and to preserve you from falling into sins or error, and to settle, strengthen, and confirm, you in faith, comfort, and holiness, according to, and by means of, the glad but incomprehensible tidings of salvation to sinful men, which Jesus Christ himself preached while on earth, and which I, having them revealed to me by the inspiration of his Spirit, labour to publish in the world, even those glorious doctrines, which were long entirely hid from the Gentiles, and but obscurely hinted to the Jews, in types, shadows, and dark prophecies;—but are now, under the gospel dispensation, evidently and openly manifested to both Jews and Gentiles, in the ministrations of his servants, and the accomplishment and explication of the Old Testament figures and predictions, according to his special and unchangeable purpose, appointment, and command,—in order that, through the influences of his Spirit attending the same, they might be persuaded, and enabled, to believe in Christ, and, by virtue derived from him, perform all holy obedience to him,—even to that God who alone is originally, essentially, infallibly, wise in himself and in all his dispensations, particularly in his contrivance and execution of the gospel scheme of salvation, and who is the only author and fountain of all the wisdom that is to be found in any creature whatsoever—be all adoration, thanksgiving, honour, and blessing, through Jesus Christ, as the only Mediator, by whom our praises and prayers are to be offered, and are acceptable to him, for evermore

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVI.—The Christian religion delightfully promotes friendship and good manners. It teaches us to pay civil respect, in a decent manner, to persons of all ranks, and gratefully to return favours shown to us in the best way we can. It gives an holy turn to a genteel behaviour, and makes men sincere in wishing the temporal, and especially the eternal, prosperity of their friends.—With deep concern should all Christians labour to excel in piety, fix themselves in church fellowship, and, in their respective stations, study to be serviceable to the whole mystical body of Christ. Amiable are those families which resemble a church of Christ in their worship, order, and conversation. And it is a great honour to be first, or eminent in the faith and profession of the gospel. With exact care ought all to judge for themselves in matters of religion, according to the doctrine which they have received from Christ and his apostles; and to avoid such as cause divisions and offences by broaching errors, or forming parties in the church. Whatever be the plausible pretences, fair shews, or flattering speeches of such, they always secretly carry on some selfish and carnal design. There is great need therefore in this evil world to have such knowledge of the truth that we may not be imposed on; and such honesty as to act up to our knowledge, imposing upon none. For Satan earnestly promotes pernicious principles and practices, to the disturbance and