Romanos 16

1 Os recomiendo a nuestra hermana Febe, diaconisa de la iglesia en Cencrea;

2 que la recibáis en el Señor de una manera digna de los santos, y que la ayudéis en cualquier asunto en que ella necesite de vosotros, porque ella también ha ayudado a muchos y aun a mí mismo.

3 Saludad a Priscila y a Aquila, mis colaboradores en Cristo Jesús,

4 los cuales expusieron su vida por mí, a quienes no sólo yo doy gracias, sino también todas las iglesias de los gentiles.

5 Saludad también a la iglesia que está en su casa. Saludad a mi querido hermano Epeneto, que es el primer convertido a Cristo en Asia.

6 Saludad a María, que ha trabajado mucho por vosotros.

7 Saludad a Andrónico y a Junias, mis parientes y compañeros de prisión, que se destacan entre los apóstoles y quienes también vinieron a Cristo antes que yo.

8 Saludad a Amplias, mi querido hermano en el Señor.

9 Saludad a Urbano, nuestro colaborador en Cristo, y a mi querido hermano Estaquis.

10 Saludad a Apeles, el aprobado en Cristo. Saludad a los de la casa de Aristóbulo.

11 Saludad a Herodión, mi pariente. Saludad a los de la casa de Narciso, que son del Señor.

12 Saludad a Trifena y a Trifosa, obreras del Señor. Saludad a la querida hermana Pérsida, que ha trabajado mucho en el Señor.

13 Saludad a Rufo, escogido en el Señor, también a su madre y mía.

14 Saludad a Asíncrito, a Flegonte, a Hermes, a Patrobas, a Hermas y a los hermanos con ellos.

15 Saludad a Filólogo y a Julia, a Nereo y a su hermana, y a Olimpas y a todos los santos que están con ellos.

16 Saludaos los unos a los otros con un beso santo. Todas las iglesias de Cristo os saludan.

17 Y os ruego, hermanos, que vigiléis a los que causan disensiones y tropiezos contra las enseñanzas que vosotros aprendisteis, y que os apartéis de ellos.

18 Porque los tales son esclavos, no de Cristo nuestro Señor, sino de sus propios apetitos, y por medio de palabras suaves y lisonjeras engañan los corazones de los ingenuos.

19 Porque la noticia de vuestra obediencia se ha extendido a todos; por tanto, me regocijo por vosotros, pero quiero que seáis sabios para lo bueno e inocentes para lo malo.

20 Y el Dios de paz aplastará pronto a Satanás debajo de vuestros pies. La gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo sea con vosotros.

21 Timoteo, mi colaborador, os saluda, y también Lucio, Jasón y Sosípater, mis parientes.

22 Yo, Tercio, que escribo esta carta, os saludo en el Señor.

23 Gayo, hospedador mío y de toda la iglesia, os saluda. Erasto, el tesorero de la ciudad, os saluda, y el hermano Cuarto.

24 La gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo sea con todos vosotros. Amén.

25 Y a aquel que es poderoso para afirmaros conforme a mi evangelio y a la predicación de Jesucristo, según la revelación del misterio que ha sido mantenido en secreto durante siglos sin fin,

26 pero que ahora ha sido manifestado, y por las Escrituras de los profetas, conforme al mandamiento del Dios eterno, se ha dado a conocer a todas las naciones para guiarlas a la obediencia de la fe,

27 al único y sabio Dios, por medio de Jesucristo, sea la gloria para siempre. Amén.

Romanos 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

The apostle recommends Phebe to the church at Rome, and greets several friends there. (1-16) Cautions the church against such as made divisions. (17-20) Christian salutations. (21-24) The epistle concludes with ascribing glory to God. (25-27)

Verses 1-16 Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know not what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselves hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close, a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ.

Verses 17-20 How earnest, how endearing are these exhortations! Whatever differs from the sound doctrine of the Scriptures, opens a door to divisions and offences. If truth be forsaken, unity and peace will not last long. Many call Christ, Master and Lord, who are far from serving him. But they serve their carnal, sensual, worldly interests. They corrupt the head by deceiving the heart; perverting the judgments by winding themselves into the affections. We have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon those who are softened by convictions. A pliable temper is good when under good guidance, otherwise it may be easily led astray. Be so wise as not to be deceived, yet so simple as not to be deceivers. The blessing the apostle expects from God, is victory over Satan. This includes all designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?

Verses 21-24 The apostle adds affectionate remembrances from persons with him, known to the Roman Christians. It is a great comfort to see the holiness and usefulness of our kindred. Not many mighty, not many noble are called, but some are. It is lawful for believers to bear civil offices; and it were to be wished that all offices in Christian states, and in the church, were bestowed upon prudent and steady Christians.

Verses 25-27 That which establishes souls, is, the plain preaching of Jesus Christ. Our redemption and salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, are, without controversy, a great mystery of godliness. And yet, blessed be God, there is as much of this mystery made plain as will bring us to heaven, if we do not wilfully neglect so great salvation. Life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel, and the Sun of Righteousness is risen on the world. The Scriptures of the prophets, what they left in writing, is not only made plain in itself, but by it this mystery is made known to all nations. Christ is salvation to all nations. And the gospel is revealed, not to be talked of and disputed about, but to be submitted to. The obedience of faith is that obedience which is paid to the word of faith, and which comes by the grace of faith. All the glory that passes from fallen man to God, so as to be accepted of him, must go through the Lord Jesus, in whom alone our persons and doings are, or can be, pleasing to God. Of his righteousness we must make mention, even of his only; who, as he is the Mediator of all our prayers, so he is, and will be, to eternity, the Mediator of all our praises. Remembering that we are called to the obedience of faith, and that every degree of wisdom is from the only wise God, we should, by word and deed, render glory to him through Jesus Christ; that so the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with us for ever.