Romans 16
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 16
Recommendation of Phoebe.[a] 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deaconess[b] of the Church at Cenchreae. 2 Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and help her with whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor of many people, including myself.
List of Greetings. 3 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me, and I as well as all the Churches of the Gentiles am grateful to them. 5 Greet also the Church that assembles in their house.
Give my greetings to my beloved friend Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked extremely hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia,[c] my relatives who were in prison with me; they are eminent in the ranks of the apostles and were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles,[d] who has proved worthy in the service of Christ, and those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.[e]
11 Greetings to my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the household of Narcissus.[f] 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa[g] who labor diligently in the Lord’s service. Greet my dear friend Persis, who also works hard for the Lord. 13 Give my greetings to Rufus,[h] one chosen by the Lord, as well as to his mother who has also been a mother to me.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greetings to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, as well as all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Churches of Christ send you their greetings.
17 Beware of Dissenters. I urge you, brethren, to watch out for those who incite dissensions and obstacles in opposition to the teaching that you have learned. Take care to avoid them. 18 For such people are not servants of our Lord Jesus Christ but of their own appetites, and by smooth words and flattery they deceive the minds of the simple. 19 Your obedience has become known to all and has caused me to rejoice greatly over you. However, I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil; 20 then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Greetings from Paul’s Companions at Corinth. Timothy, my coworker, sends greetings to you, as do Lucius and Jason[i] and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who am writing down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Greetings also from Gaius,[j] my host and the host to the whole Church, and from Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus. [ 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.][k]
Glory to God through Jesus Christ[l]
25 Now to him who has the power to strengthen you
in accordance with the gospel that I preach
and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery
that was kept secret for long ages
26 but is now revealed,
and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the nations
according to the command of the eternal God
to bring them to the obedience of faith—
27 to God who alone is wise,
through Jesus Christ
be glory forever! Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 16:1 Relations between the Churches became closer thanks to the fraternal relations among their members. Many of the persons named here remain unknown to us. Phoebe, who exercises a ministry of assistance among poor and sick women in Cenchreae, the port of Corinth, is possibly the bearer of the Letter. Prisca and Aquila: since “Prisca” is a variant of “Priscilla,” it is obvious that these are the same two people who are placed at Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus by the Book of Acts and Paul’s Letters (see Acts 18:2, 18-19, 26; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). In the Greek, Roman, and Jewish names, we can assume differences of social condition. Thus, this list testifies to the internal diversity of communities assembled together in the Church of Christ and, at the same time, to the responsibilities held by members of each group, made up of lay people, men or women, celibate or married. In the midst of these salutations, a severe condemnation is lodged against all those who sow division and scandal. Paul is probably thinking of Judaizing preachers (see Gal 5:7-12; Phil 3:18f) or teachers of religion preoccupied with their profit.
- Romans 16:1 Phoebe, who is a deaconess: this verse seems to allow an office of a woman deacon although Scripture does not define the specific responsibilities of a woman deacon. See also 1 Tim 4:14.
- Romans 16:7 Junia: this name is usually taken to be masculine; others see it as feminine. In fact, some manuscripts have “Julia” in place of “Junia.”
- Romans 16:10 Ampliatus . . . Urbanus . . . Stachys . . . Apelles: these are all common names of slaves found in the imperial household.
- Romans 16:10 Aristobulus: some think this name refers to the grandson of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Agrippa I.
- Romans 16:11 Narcissus: sometimes identified with Tiberius Claudius Narcissus, a wealthy freedman of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
- Romans 16:12 Tryphaena and Tryphosa: may refer to twin sisters who were wont to bear names based on the same root. Persis: i.e., a Persian woman.
- Romans 16:13 Rufus: possibly the Rufus mentioned in Mk 15:21 as the son of Simon the Cyrenian, who helped Jesus carry his cross.
- Romans 16:21 Jason: possibly the person mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Sosipater: some think this is the son of Pyrrhus from Beroea who is called Sopater in Acts 20:4.
- Romans 16:23 Gaius: some think this is the Titus Justus in whose house Paul lodged while in Corinth (see Acts 18:7 and 1 Cor 1:14). Erastus, the city treasurer: this may be the same person referred to in Acts 19:22 and 2 Tim 4:20. He may also be the person mentioned in the following Latin inscription recently found on a block of stone at Corinth: “Erastus, commissioner of public works, bore no expense of this pavement.”
- Romans 16:24 This verse is found in some manuscripts (see v. 20).
- Romans 16:25 This fine liturgical hymn expresses the Church’s joy at living in a time when the mystery of salvation is being fulfilled. Mystery: Paul uses this word to set forth: (1) the Incarnation (see 1 Tim 3:16); (2) Christ’s saving Death on the Cross (see 1 Cor 2:1, 7); (3) the restoration of all things in Christ (see Eph 1:9); (4) the change wrought by Christ’s Resurrection (see 1 Cor 15:51); and (5) the inclusion of both Jew and Gentile in the Kingdom of God (see v. 25).
Romans 16
New King James Version
Sister Phoebe Commended
16 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in (A)Cenchrea, 2 (B)that you may receive her in the Lord (C)in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
Greeting Roman Saints
3 Greet (D)Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet (E)the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is (F)the firstfruits of [a]Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the (G)apostles, who also (H)were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my [b]countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, (I)chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 (J)Greet one another with a holy kiss. [c]The churches of Christ greet you.
Avoid Divisive Persons
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those (K)who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and (L)avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [d]Jesus Christ, but (M)their own belly, and (N)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For (O)your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be (P)wise in what is good, and [e]simple concerning evil. 20 And (Q)the God of peace (R)will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
(S)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Greetings from Paul’s Friends
21 (T)Timothy, my fellow worker, and (U)Lucius, (V)Jason, and (W)Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 (X)Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. (Y)Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 (Z)The[f] grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Benediction
25 [g]Now (AA)to Him who is able to establish you (AB)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (AC)according to the revelation of the mystery (AD)kept secret since the world began 26 but (AE)now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for (AF)obedience to the faith— 27 to (AG)God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 16:5 NU Asia
- Romans 16:11 Or relative
- Romans 16:16 NU All the churches
- Romans 16:18 NU, M omit Jesus
- Romans 16:19 innocent
- Romans 16:24 NU omits v. 24.
- Romans 16:25 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 after Rom. 14:23.
罗马书 16
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
举荐非比
16 我对你们举荐我们的姐妹非比,她是坚革哩教会中的女执事。 2 请你们为主接待她,合乎圣徒的体统。她在何事上要你们帮助,你们就帮助她,因她素来帮助许多人,也帮助了我。
几样的问安
3 问百基拉和亚居拉安。他们在基督耶稣里与我同工, 4 也为我的命将自己的颈项置之度外。不但我感谢他们,就是外邦的众教会也感谢他们。 5 又问在他们家中的教会安。问我所亲爱的以拜尼土安,他在亚细亚是归基督初结的果子。 6 又问马利亚安,她为你们多受劳苦。 7 又问我亲属与我一同坐监的安多尼古和犹尼亚安,他们在使徒中是有名望的,也是比我先在基督里。 8 又问我在主里面所亲爱的暗伯利安。 9 又问在基督里与我们同工的耳巴奴并我所亲爱的士大古安。 10 又问在基督里经过试验的亚比利安。问亚利多布家里的人安。 11 又问我亲属希罗天安。问拿其数家在主里的人安。 12 又问为主劳苦的土非拿氏和土富撒氏安。问可亲爱为主多受劳苦的彼息氏安。 13 又问在主蒙拣选的鲁孚和他母亲安,他的母亲就是我的母亲。 14 又问亚逊其土、弗勒干、黑米、八罗巴、黑马,并与他们在一处的弟兄们安。 15 又问非罗罗古和犹利亚,尼利亚和他姐妹,同阿林巴,并与他们在一处的众圣徒安。 16 你们亲嘴问安彼此务要圣洁。基督的众教会都问你们安。
防避背道者的诱惑
17 弟兄们,那些离间你们、叫你们跌倒,背乎所学之道的人,我劝你们要留意躲避他们。 18 因为这样的人不服侍我们的主基督,只服侍自己的肚腹,用花言巧语诱惑那些老实人的心。 19 你们的顺服已经传于众人,所以我为你们欢喜,但我愿意你们在善上聪明,在恶上愚拙。 20 赐平安的神快要将撒旦践踏在你们脚下。愿我主耶稣基督的恩常和你们同在!
21 与我同工的提摩太和我的亲属路求、耶孙、所西巴德问你们安。 22 我这代笔写信的德丢在主里面问你们安。 23 那接待我,也接待全教会的该犹问你们安。 24 城内管银库的以拉都和兄弟括土问你们安。
25 唯有神能照我所传的福音和所讲的耶稣基督,并照永古隐藏不言的奥秘,坚固你们的心。 26 这奥秘如今显明出来,而且按着永生神的命,借众先知的书指示万国的民,使他们信服真道。 27 愿荣耀因耶稣基督归于独一全智的神,直到永远!阿门。
Romans 16
King James Version
16 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Global Bible Initiative

