Romans 16 - Mark these words....

Paul ends this book with these words often used even today to close our church worship service.

Doxology

Rom 16:25  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,

Rom 16:26  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:

Rom 16:27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. 

Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.

Like the summary content of our Westminster Confession and Catechisms, we neglect to actually study and teach about the words and phrases in these verses....Oh, how rich they are.

These alone would be good for serveral sermons.

Paul also issues a warning.

Final Instructions and Greetings

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18  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.

Rom 16:19  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.

Earlier he had spoken to the Ephesians.

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Act 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Btw there is another teaching that one sees in the chapter....and that is Paul's high regard for women, you can't miss how he equally he treats them in his greetings and salutes...Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Rufus' mother,Julia and Nereus' sister, to name the obvious ones.

Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Yet note that this is the same Paul who otherwise, the modern church ignores when he writes.

1Ti 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

1Ti 2:9  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1Ti 2:10  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1Ti 2:11  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1Ti 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1Ti 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1Ti 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1Ti 2:15  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

And men only were chosen for leadership in the church.....examples include, Jesus choosing the twelve, the selection of Judas' replacement, the first deacons, Paul, the first missionaries, and of course the requirements of elders and deacons in the church.

Also, though we can't apply it universally, we have at least one large example of how not following this command leads to bad things in the church. We should be careful as Paul says....

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18  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.

Rev 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.