Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Paul's Final Remarks- Rom. 16:17-27


Today we end our long journey through the book of Romans and what a journey it has been! First, we looked at Paul’s bold introduction in which he claimed that the gospel of Jesus Christ is salvation for all who believe (and this is nothing to be shy about) (Rom. 1). Thereafter, Paul made the case that all require salvation because all (Jew, pious gentile, and worldly pagan alike) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 2-3). Everyone needs God’s righteousness and this only comes through faith in Jesus Christ and his completed work (not works, tradition, etc.) (Rom. 4-5). Paul then argued that the same grace that saves is what molds the believer more into Christ’s image as the righteousness imputed at salvation in justification is imparted to the saved in their sanctification (see Rom. 6-7). Ultimately, those in this process will be vindicated in the end (at their glorification) and can find great hope in the present in all the blessings that come with a relationship with Jesus (see Rom. 8). This applies both to Jews and Gentiles and applies to these respective groups in ways that are keeping with God’s faithfulness to the promises that were issued to each (see Rom. 9-11). In light of so great a salvation, believers were then encouraged to live lives of spiritual sacrifice unto the Lord (Rom. 12), in submission to authorities (Rom. 13), and in a way that fosters unity (Rom. 14). After betraying his plans for the future (Rom. 15), Paul set out to provide some final greetings (Rom. 16). It is at this point that we are given Paul’s final remarks in Romans 16:17-27. Therefore, to conclude our study of this amazing epistle, let us listen to three final remarks that the apostle gives as he says goodbye for now to the church in Rome and learn what we might take away as we say goodbye for now to the study of this book. 



I. REMARK #1: A Final Warning-(Look out!)-16:17-20

If final comments are any indication of what is important to a speaker after the body of a speech or in the conclusion of a book then it is safe to assume that Paul’s warning in verses 17-20 was not only necessary, but important to the health of the church and Rome and the success of her mission.  Paul’s final warning begins as follows “Now I urge you, brethren (lit. asking you earnestly) to keep your eye on (watch closely) those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned” (16:17a). Though the identity of these false teachers is unknown, one thing is certain, as in many groups, there were those in the ranks that were intent on bringing down the whole. The means by which these enemies of the cause were confronting the church in Rome was through “dissensions and hindrances.” Proverbs lists such attacks among “the seven [things] that are detestable to [the Lord],” calling “a man who stirs up dissension among brother” in the most emphatic position” (Proverbs 6:16, 19) (Mounce, Romans, 278). Such “hindrances” and “dissensions” not only threw the unity of the church in jeopardy, Paul reveals that such is “contrary to the teaching which you learned” (Rom. 16:17a). What teaching is Paul referencing here? I imagine the unifying teaching of the gospel of Christ that brings people of all backgrounds into one body through faith and repentance. Such unifying teachings can be found in Romans itself as it encourages a diverse population toward working together for the single mission of God. Any unnecessary hindrance and/or dissention, was not only practically inhibiting, it was theologically unsound.

Concerning those who would divide people unnecessarily or throw improper stumbling blocks in the way of the gospel mission, Paul says “turn away from them” (16:17b). Literally the text implies “purposefully avoid them” or “shun” them. Given in the present tense, Paul may be suggesting that this act of extending dissenters the cold shoulder may need to be a common and often-endorsed behavior. Whenever people like this present themselves, the church is instructed here to avoid them like the plague they are.

But why? Why are such people so destructive/dangerous. First, Paul says that “such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites” (16:18a). Literally, the word “appetites” translates the Greek word for “belly.” Paul warns against such men in Philippians 3:19 where, speaking of false teachers, Paul says “their god is their stomach.” Instead of being driven in their gut by their pursuit of Christ and his calling on their lives, such men/women were driven by their own desires/agendas—whatever satisfied their cravings (i.e. attention, power, prestige, etc.).  There are few things more dangerous to a church than people with insatiable appetites for self-glory.

Not only are these to be avoided for misdirecting glory, they were to be shunned because of their propensity to lead people astray. Paul continues “and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (16:18b). As often proves the case in Scripture, Paul makes sure the church remembers that Satan does not put his minions in garish costumes that scare, but in silver-tongued “good-ol boys and girls” that offer flattering and pious speech. “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments” (Col. 2:4). Paul wants to be certain that the church was aware that there are some who would by “deceptive eloquence would lead them into error” (Mounce, Romans, 279).

Unfortunately, this encouragement is just as applicable today as it was in the first century. Whether you call it “false teaching,” or “strange fire” (Macarthur) there is a very real need for the people of God to “watch out closely” for and “turn away” from the same kind of freshly pressed, good-looking, monsters that grace stages and TV stations. I’m talking about those who leverage their pulpits for fame and fortune rather than mission and kingdom. I’m talking about those who begin and end their programming with something they are selling. I’m talking about churches in which self-help has replaced the complete gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m talking about men and women whose most sophisticated arguments are constructed for the purposes of justifying fundraising efforts for their second or third private jets. I’m talking about people who promise miracles for the exchange of money. I’m talking about places in which strange and indiscernible tongues, violent convulsions, and worrisome antics are confused for the work of the Holy Spirit. Watch out for and turn away from such church lest you be devoured by a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15).

Another reason the church should be on special guard for these villains is there was (and is) so much to lose. Paul commends the church in Rome saying “For the report of your obedience has reached to all, therefore I am rejoicing over you” (16:19a). The obedience of those in the church in Rome was well known throughout the known world. What a thing to be known for! Not only did this give Paul great joy, it also put a large target on the back of this body of believers. This is probably why Paul immediately shifts from this commendation to a reiteration of the warning already given.

“but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil” (16:19b). Another translation reads “be well-versed in which is good” (TCNT). Paul wanted the church of Christ hold advanced degrees in truth and blackbelts in godliness while also being totally free of evil. Similar sentiments are shared by Jesus when, in his admonition to the disciples before sending them out, he says “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (16:19b). Remember, the church in Rome existed under extreme pressure to compromise and capitulate. Similarly, today, in a culture that continues to betray the spiritual forces that war against the church, it is vital that believers live lives of uncompromising holiness. “God never intended his children to become intimate with evil in order to communicate the gospel to those in its grasp” (Mounce, Romans, 279).

Paul ends his final warning with a promise—“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet…” (16:20). This prediction literally suggests that the church will smash Satan into pieces along with all vestiges of his power. Here, Paul uses an allusion to the beginning in order to provide hope for the ultimate end. By clearly referencing Genesis 3:15 (the protoevagelium), Paul reminds the church that while their present struggle for truth and holiness is real, so too is the promise of final victory. In the meantime Paul says “the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (16:20).

II. REMARK #2: A Final Greeting-(We all love you!)-16:21-24

The second remark that Paul makes as he closes his letter is a greeting. In verses 4-15, Paul himself greeted several Christians that he knew were living in Rome (or were heading in that direction). Here, Paul is extending the greetings of others who wanted to encourage the church. The first of these is Timothy and his company—“Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen” (16:21). It is not secret that Timothy held a special place in Paul’s heart and ministry. He joined Paul in Lystra on Paul’s second missionary journey and labored alongside the apostle for an extended period thereafter. Mounce argues that “no other man had quite the same personal attention from the aging apostle, who was nearing the close of his ministry” (Mounce, Romans, 280). Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater were other workers with Paul who, along with Timothy offered their greetings to the church in Rome.

Interestingly, the next person to extend a greeting is the secretary who composed the letter itself—“I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord” (16:22). Though the content of the letter is Paul’s, Tertius is the “amanuensis”—i.e. the trained scribe who physically copied down Paul’s dictation to the Roman Christians. These “secretaries” were often employed in Paul’s day to write correspondences down neatly when paper was both scarce and expensive (Moo, ZIBBC, 94).
Next in line to offer his greeting is Gaius and company—“Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother (the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen)” (16:23-24).  Gaius is probably one of the few people Paul is identified as having baptized (see 1 Cor. 1:14). Paul and many others have enjoyed his hospitality and he is extended an opportunity to greet Rome. Little is known about the other two men, other than what is mentioned.

So many wanted to greet this important church and offer their support. Paul, in essence passes around the microphone to those around him before closing his letter. However, he grabs the mic one more time to offer a final benediction.

III. REMARK #3: A Final Benediction-(Its all about Jesus!)-16:25-27

Paul’s benediction begins with the praises of a great and mighty God. Paul initially frames the Almighty as the great Establisher—“Not to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” (16:25a). This “gospel” that serves as the foundation of the church is the same gospel that Paul had made plain in the first 11 chapters of this letter—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ served as the focal point of the gospel as well as Paul’s preaching. Jesus is at the center of it all, the cornerstone of the foundation of the church.

Not only is God the great establisher through Christ, he is celebrated here as the great revealer—“according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but is now manifested” (16:25-26a). Prior to the first century, salvation through Jesus has been shrouded in prophecies and hidden in the eternal counsels of God. However, once Christ emerged, the mystery—God’s plan of salvation—is perfectly revealed to all.

Ephesians 1:9-“he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.”

Col. 1:26 –“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Of all the revelations that God has provided of Himself, none is greater, more perfect, and more complete than Jesus Christ.  After all, “the son is The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb. 1:3).  Paul says that this revelation of God (Jesus Christ) “has been manifested”—meaning that his work, now complete, suffers present and ongoing implications.
The revelation of God in Jesus Christ works to fulfill the scriptures of the prophets, indicating that in addition to an establisher and revealer, God is a fulfiller—and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God"  (16:26a). All that God promised to the saints of old was fulfilled in Christ, indicating that Bible is not so much two testaments as much as it is one grand story with Jesus at its center.

Not only does God establish, reveal, and fulfill all in Christ Jesus, he potentially leads all in faith—“has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith” (16:26b). Jesus not only connects two testaments together into one metanarrative, he establishes one people—the people of God, from two significant different backgrounds—Jew and Gentile. This is yet another theme of Romans (especially 9-11). In other words, the gospel message of which Paul is not ashamed (see 1:16) is a message for all nations that has entered the world through Christ and now suffers ramifications for the entire world (Jew and Gentile alike—see 1:17).

In a euphoric and passionate doxology, Paul breaks syntax and concludes his letter with “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen” (16:27). Even here, Paul places Jesus Christ as center focus for His advent is in keeping with God’s wise plan and His humiliation and resurrection returned to God the greatest glory imaginable. Paul hoped that his ministry in general and his letter to the Romans in particular would also be in keeping with God’s wisdom, centered on Christ, and result if God bring glorified. May it be so! (Amen!).

So What?

Though these may not be the final comments you would expect after such a lengthy and theologically charged letter, these are the ones that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to offer the church in Rome as it persevered in its brave new world. Look out for false teachers! We all love you! and it is all about Jesus (that is the gospel and the glory)!  What is so striking about these last remarks is how applicable they are in today’s context (our own brave new world). Are we not currently a church under assault both from without and from within by false doctrines and charlatans who seek to mislead the masses for their own personal gain? We must be a church that is vigilant in keeping a close eye on such, committed to truth and holiness over what sounds and feels good. Look out church! Are we not encouraged when we know that our brothers and sisters in Christ (and the great cloud of witnesses is cheering on the sidelines and encouraging us as we endure to the end!) We all love you church! Are we not also prone to add to or supplement the gospel with peripheral things, forgetting that gospel that saves and the glory that is promised is all found in Christ, the establisher, revealer, fulfiller, and leader of our faith who came, died, and was raised from the dead? It is all about Jesus church! May it be so and remain so as we endure this brave new world until the end!  

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