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Paul’s Reason for Writing

14 I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. 15 Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. 19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit.[b] In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.[c]

20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

“Those who have never been told about him will see,
    and those who have never heard of him will understand.”[d]

22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

Paul’s Travel Plans

23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers[e] there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia[f] have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation[g] I am taking to Jerusalem. 32 Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.[h]

Paul Greets His Friends

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia,[i] my fellow Jews,[j] who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.[k] Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters[l] who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers[m] who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Paul’s Final Instructions

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus[n] be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.[o]

25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets[p] foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.[q]

Footnotes

  1. 15:14 Greek brothers; also in 15:30.
  2. 15:19a Other manuscripts read the Spirit; still others read the Holy Spirit.
  3. 15:19b Illyricum was a region northeast of Italy.
  4. 15:21 Isa 52:15 (Greek version).
  5. 15:25 Greek God’s holy people; also in 15:26, 31.
  6. 15:26 Macedonia and Achaia were the northern and southern regions of Greece.
  7. 15:31 Greek the ministry; other manuscripts read the gift.
  8. 15:33 Some manuscripts do not include Amen. One very early manuscript places 16:25-27 here.
  9. 16:7a Junia is a feminine name. Some late manuscripts accent the word so it reads Junias, a masculine name; still others read Julia (feminine).
  10. 16:7b Or compatriots; also in 16:21.
  11. 16:11 Or compatriot.
  12. 16:14 Greek brothers; also in 16:17.
  13. 16:15 Greek all of God’s holy people.
  14. 16:20 Some manuscripts read Lord Jesus Christ.
  15. 16:23 Some manuscripts add verse 24, May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Still others add this sentence after verse 27.
  16. 16:26 Greek the prophetic writings.
  17. 16:25-27 Various manuscripts place the doxology (shown here as 16:25-27) after 14:23 or after 15:33 or after 16:23.

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,(A) filled with all knowledge,(B) and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points[a] because of the grace given me by God(C) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,(D) serving as a priest of the gospel of God.(E) God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,(F) sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus(G) regarding what pertains to God.(H) 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me(I) by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,(J) and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem(K) all the way around to Illyricum.[b](L) 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,(M) so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,(N) 21 but, as it is written,

Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.[c](O)

Paul’s Travel Plans

22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.(P) 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,[d] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you(Q) 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[e] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,(R) once I have first enjoyed your company(S) for a while. 25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem(T) to serve the saints,(U) 26 because Macedonia(V) and Achaia(W) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,(X) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds[f] to them,[g](Y) I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing[h] of Christ.

30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,(Z) to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.(AA) 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,(AB) that my ministry to[i] Jerusalem(AC) may be acceptable to the saints,(AD) 32 and that, by God’s will,(AE) I may come to you with joy(AF) and be refreshed together with you.

33 May the God of peace be with all of you.(AG) Amen.

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

16 I commend to you(AH) our sister Phoebe, who is a servant[j] of the church in Cenchreae.(AI) So you should welcome her in the Lord(AJ) in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

Give my greetings to Prisca[k] and Aquila,(AK) my coworkers in(AL) Christ Jesus,(AM) who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. Greet also the church that meets in their home.(AN) Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert[l](AO) to Christ from Asia.[m](AP) Greet Mary,[n] who has worked very hard for you.[o] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews[p](AQ) and fellow prisoners.(AR) They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles,[q] and they were also in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.(AS) 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.[r] Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus,(AT) chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.(AU) 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(AV) All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Warning against Divisive People

17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.(AW) Avoid them,(AX) 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ(AY) but their own appetites.[s](AZ) They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.(BA)

Paul’s Gracious Conclusion

19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone.(BB) Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.(BC) 20 The God of peace(BD) will soon crush Satan(BE) under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(BF)

21 Timothy,(BG) my coworker, and Lucius,(BH) Jason,(BI) and Sosipater,(BJ) my fellow countrymen, greet you.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,(BK) greet you in the Lord.[t]

23 Gaius,(BL) who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus,(BM) the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.[u]

Glory to God

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you(BN) according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,(BO) according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent(BP) for long ages(BQ) 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,(BR) according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith(BS) among all the Gentiles— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever![v](BT) Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 15:15 Other mss add brothers
  2. 15:19 A Roman province northwest of Greece on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea
  3. 15:21 Is 52:15
  4. 15:23 Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts
  5. 15:24 Other mss add I will come to you.
  6. 15:28 Lit delivered this fruit
  7. 15:28 Or and placed my seal of approval on this fruit for them
  8. 15:29 Other mss add of the gospel
  9. 15:31 Lit that my service for
  10. 16:1 Others interpret this term in a technical sense: deacon, or deaconess, or minister, or courier
  11. 16:3 Traditionally, Priscilla, as in Ac 18:2,18,26
  12. 16:5 Lit the firstfruits
  13. 16:5 Other mss read Achaia
  14. 16:6 Or Maria
  15. 16:6 Other mss read us
  16. 16:7 Or family members
  17. 16:7 Or They are noteworthy among the apostles
  18. 16:11 Or family member
  19. 16:18 Lit belly
  20. 16:22 Or letter in the Lord, greet you
  21. 16:23 Some mss include v. 24: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
  22. 16:25–27 Other mss have these vv. at the end of chap. 14 or 15.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness,(A) filled with knowledge(B) and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me(C) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.(D) He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God,(E) so that the Gentiles might become an offering(F) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus(G) in my service to God.(H) 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles(I) to obey God(J) by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,(K) through the power of the Spirit of God.(L) So from Jerusalem(M) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(N) 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel(O) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.(P) 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[a](Q)

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.(R)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,(S) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(T) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(U) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(V) in the service(W) of the Lord’s people(X) there. 26 For Macedonia(Y) and Achaia(Z) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(AA) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(AB) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(AC) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(AD) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,(AE) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(AF) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(AG) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(AH) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(AI) there, 32 so that I may come to you(AJ) with joy, by God’s will,(AK) and in your company be refreshed.(AL) 33 The God of peace(AM) be with you all. Amen.

Personal Greetings

16 I commend(AN) to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[b][c] of the church in Cenchreae.(AO) I ask you to receive her in the Lord(AP) in a way worthy of his people(AQ) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Greet Priscilla[d] and Aquila,(AR) my co-workers(AS) in Christ Jesus.(AT) They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Greet also the church that meets at their house.(AU)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert(AV) to Christ in the province of Asia.(AW)

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews(AX) who have been in prison with me.(AY) They are outstanding among[e] the apostles, and they were in Christ(AZ) before I was.

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ,(BA) and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.(BB)

Greet those who belong to the household(BC) of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.(BD)

Greet those in the household(BE) of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus,(BF) chosen(BG) in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people(BH) who are with them.(BI)

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(BJ)

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(BK) Keep away from them.(BL) 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,(BM) but their own appetites.(BN) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive(BO) the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard(BP) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(BQ)

20 The God of peace(BR) will soon crush(BS) Satan(BT) under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(BU)

21 Timothy,(BV) my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius,(BW) Jason(BX) and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.(BY)

22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius,(BZ) whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.

Erastus,(CA) who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [f]

25 Now to him who is able(CB) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,(CC) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery(CD) hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings(CE) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[g] faith(CF) 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.(CG)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)
  2. Romans 16:1 Or servant
  3. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  4. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  5. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by
  6. Romans 16:24 Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
  7. Romans 16:26 Or that is

14 My brothers and sisters, I am ultimately confident that you are full of goodness, knowledge, and the ability to help and instruct one another. 15 I have written to you with unflinching honesty on many topics because I do not want you to ever lose sight of the tremendous grace God has given me. 16 His grace makes me who I am, a minister of the Anointed One, Jesus, called to serve the nations.

Though Paul’s churches are made up of Jews and non-Jews, Paul’s special calling is to be God’s emissary to the nations beyond Israel, known as the Gentiles.

The good news of God is the focus of my priestly work. In effect, these nations have become an offering to God, totally acceptable, indeed made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit. 17 So in Jesus, the Anointed One, I have reason to celebrate the things I do for God. 18 I don’t want to be presumptuous, so I will restrict myself to what the Anointed has accomplished through my words and actions, which has culminated in the obedience of the nations. 19 My words and actions have been rooted in Spirit-empowered signs and miracles. The upshot is this: I have been able to preach the good news of the Anointed One in city after city from Jerusalem all the way around the Mediterranean to Illyricum. 20 I have dreamed of preaching the gospel in places where no one has ever heard of the Anointed so that I do not build on a foundation laid by anyone else. 21 But as the Scriptures say,

They will see Him even though they’ve never been told about Him;
    they will understand even though they never heard of Him.[a]

22 Because of many issues, I have not been able to visit you in the city of Rome. 23 But my time to serve those here is coming to an end, there’s no room left for me in this region, and I have longed to come to you for many years. So I plan to visit you 24 on my journey to Spain. I am hoping that I will not only see you face-to-face, but that you will assist me in the journey west after I have enjoyed our time together. 25 But right now I must make the journey to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. 26 Those in Macedonia and Achaia decided it was a good idea to share their funds to help the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 I must tell you that they were thrilled to be able to help. They realize that they are indebted to the believers in Jerusalem. If the nations share in the Jews’ spiritual goods, then it’s only right that they minister back to them in material goods. 28 When this work is complete and the funds we’ve collected are delivered, I will make my way to Spain through your grand city of Rome and enjoy some of your hospitality. 29 I’m sure that when I come to you I will come as a blessing and as one fully blessed by the Anointed One.

30 My brothers and sisters, I urgently plead with you by the name of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, and by the love of the Spirit to join together with me in your prayers to God for my success in these next endeavors. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from those who deny and persecute the faith in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem will meet the approval of all the saints there. 32 If that happens, then my journey to you will be filled with joy; and, if God wills, I can rest and be refreshed in your presence. 33 I pray the God of all peace will be with you all. Amen.

Before Paul treks west to Rome, he must complete an important mission he started years earlier. He must carry to Jerusalem an offering for the poor collected from the outsider churches. Paul, the emissary, hopes not only that the offering will alleviate the human need and suffering brought on by years of famine, but that it will also build a bridge between his mainly non-Jewish churches and the Jewish mother church in Jerusalem. But when he arrives in Jerusalem, Paul’s enemies trump up charges against him that ultimately land him in jail. So Paul makes it to Rome, but not as he planned. Several years later, after a lengthy confinement in Caesarea and a perilous journey at sea, he is led into Rome as a prisoner of the empire.

16 I commend to you our beloved sister Phoebe; she serves the church in Cenchrea as a faithful deacon. It is important that you welcome her in the Lord in a manner befitting your saintly status. Join in her work, and assist her in any way she needs you. She has spent her energy and resources helping others, and I am blessed to have her as my benefactor as well.

Give my best to Prisca and Aquila; they are not only my colleagues in my profession of tent making, but more importantly they are my fellow servants of Jesus the Anointed. They put their lives on the line to keep me safe. Not only do I owe them my thanks, so do all the churches of the non-Jews. Send my regards to the church that meets in their house.

Send greetings to Epaenetus. I love him dearly and celebrate his journey to faith because he was the first to believe in the Anointed One in all of Asia.

Salute Mary for me; she has worked hard for all of you.

Give my regards to Andronicus and Junias, who are part of my own family and served time in prison with me. They are well known among the emissaries[b] and have been in the Anointed longer than I.

Give my best to Ampliatus whom I love in the Lord, and greet Urbanus (our fellow worker in service to the Anointed One) and my beloved Stachys.

10 Send greetings to Apelles, a tried and true believer in the Anointed, and to the entire family of Aristobulus.

11 Do not forget to greet Herodion, another of my relatives, and everyone in the family of Narcissus who belong to the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, faithful laborers in the Lord, and our beloved Persis, who also has accomplished a great deal in the Lord.

13 Give my best to Rufus, clearly one of the Lord’s chosen, and also his mother. She’s like a mother to me.

14 My regards also go to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the brothers and sisters who are along with them.

15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and let me not forget Olympas and all the saints who journey with them.

16 Greet each other with a holy kiss. All of the churches of the Anointed under my care send their greetings to all of you.

17 I am pleading with all of you, brothers and sisters, to keep up your guard against anyone who is causing conflicts and enticing others with teachings contrary to what you have already learned. If there are people like that in your churches, stay away from them. 18 These kinds of people are not truly serving our Lord Jesus the Anointed; they have devoted their lives to satisfying their own appetites. With smooth talking and a well-rehearsed blessing, they lead a lot of unsuspecting people down the wrong path. 19 The stories about the way you are living in obedience to God have traveled to all the churches. So celebrate your faithfulness to God that is being displayed in your lives—seek wisdom about the good life, and remain innocent when it comes to evil. 20 If you do this, the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet soon. May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King, be ever present with you.

21 Timothy, my coworker in the spreading of the gospel, also sends his greeting to all of you, as do my kinsmen, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater.

22 I, Tertius, the one who wrote this letter for Paul, greet you in the name of the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host here as well as patron for the whole church, sends his[c] best to all of you. Erastus, the city administrator, sends his greetings along with brother Quartus. [24 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, touch you all. Amen.][d]

25 So to the One who is able to strengthen you to live consistently with my good news and the preaching of Jesus, the Anointed, with the revelation of the ancient mystery that has been kept secret since the earliest days, 26 this mystery is revealed through the prophetic voices passed down in the Scriptures, as they have been commanded by the Eternal God. In this time, this mystery is being made known to the nations so that all may be led to faith-filled obedience.

27 To the one true and wise God, we offer glory for all times through Jesus, the Anointed One. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 15:21 Isaiah 52:15
  2. 16:7 Literally, apostles
  3. 16:23 Some early manuscripts read “their.”
  4. 16:24 Some early manuscripts omit this verse.