QT 06/07/2026 Mon Romans 16 When Paul Says Hello—and When He Says Stay Away 当保罗问候时——以及当他劝诫远离时

QT 06/07/2026 Mon Romans 16 When Paul Says Hello—and When He Says Stay Away
READ https://www.esv.org/Romans+16/

The final chapter of Romans reveals a reality every church faces: faithful saints to encourage, deceivers to avoid, and a sovereign God who receives all the glory. Let's see how Paul closes one of his greatest letter.

The Ending Human Reality of Romans 16. Romans ends not with abstract theology, but with real people, real relationships, and real spiritual discernment. In an age where religion is often reduced to a guilt-free spirituality with few commitments and no obligations, Romans 16 reminds us that the gospel creates both deep affection and necessary boundaries.

(1) Greet the Faithful (Romans 16:1–16)

Paul fills the chapter with names—Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Epaenetus, Andronicus, Junia, and many others. He commends them, honors their labor, remembers their sacrifices, and sends greetings to them.

These are not perfect people, but faithful believers who have served Christ and His church. Paul calls them "beloved," "fellow workers," and those who have "risked their necks" for the gospel. The repeated greetings culminate in the instruction:

"Greet one another with a holy kiss." (Romans 16:16, ESV)

The Christian faith is not merely doctrinal; it is relational. The gospel produces genuine affection for fellow believers. Faithful saints are to be recognized, appreciated, and warmly embraced as members of God's family.

(2) Avoid the Divisive (Romans 16:17–20)

Yet the same apostle who greets warmly also warns firmly.

"Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." (Romans 16:17, ESV)

Paul is not naive. The physical church gathering contains not only faithful servants but also deceptive influences. Such people use "smooth talk and flattery" to deceive unsuspecting hearts (v. 18). They appear persuasive, but their allegiance is not ultimately to Christ.

Notice the contrast: the faithful are greeted; the divisive are avoided. Christian love does not require the suspension of discernment. Unity is precious, but it must be unity in the truth. The church is called both to affection and to vigilance.

Yet Paul ends the warning with hope: "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Romans 16:20, ESV)

Behind every deception stands the ancient enemy, but his defeat is certain. The church does not fight for victory but from victory already secured through Christ.

(3) Glorify God Together (Romans 16:21–27)

The final greetings reveal the remarkable diversity of God's people.

Phoebe is a servant of the church (v. 1). Gaius offers hospitality (v. 23). Erastus serves as the city treasurer (v. 23). Others were laborers, missionaries, relatives, former prisoners, and ordinary believers whose names are now largely unknown to history. Yet all stand on equal ground before God.

Whether servant or patron, first convert or seasoned saint, prisoner or public official, every believer becomes part of God's saving purpose. The gospel gathers people from every background and unites them in worship. Therefore Paul concludes not by glorifying human achievement but by glorifying God:

"To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (Romans 16:27, ESV)

The wisdom of God has orchestrated history, revealed the mystery of the gospel, gathered His people, preserved His church, and secured Satan's defeat. All glory belongs to Him alone.

Reflection: Romans ends with a simple but searching question: Who should we greet, and who should we avoid? The faithful servants of Christ are to be loved, encouraged, and embraced as family. Those who persist in causing division and promoting falsehood are to be recognized and avoided. The Christian life requires both warm affection and spiritual discernment.

And through it all, believers from every station of life are united in one great purpose: "To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (Romans 16:27)

Prayer

Heavenly Father. Thank You for the faithful believers You place in our lives to encourage, strengthen, and serve alongside us. Give us hearts that are warm in love and steadfast in truth. Grant us wisdom to recognize and avoid deception, division, and anything that would lead us away from Christ. Keep us faithful to the gospel and obedient to Your Word. As people from different backgrounds and callings, unite us in glorifying You. May our lives bring honor to Your name, and may we rest in the promise that You will soon crush Satan under our feet through our Lord Jesus Christ. To You, the only wise God, be glory forever through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

QT 06/07/2026 星期一。罗马书16 当保罗问候时——以及当他劝诫远离时
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/rom/16/

《罗马书》的最后一章揭示了每间教会都面临的现实：有需要鼓励的忠心圣徒，有需要避开的欺骗者，还有一位当受一切荣耀的主权上帝。让我们看看保罗是如何结束他最伟大的书信之一。

《罗马书》第16章中的人性现实。《罗马书》的结尾并非抽象的神学，而是真实的人、真实的关系以及真实的属灵分辨力。在这个宗教往往被简化为一种无需负罪感、几乎不需承诺、毫无义务的灵性追求的时代，《罗马书》第16章提醒我们：福音既能建立深厚的爱，也能设立必要的界限。

(1) 问候忠心的信徒（罗马书 16:1–16）

保罗在这章中列举了许多名字——非比、百基拉、亚居拉、以巴弗提、安多尼古、犹尼亚，以及许多其他人。他称赞他们，尊荣他们的劳苦，铭记他们的牺牲，并向他们致以问候。

这些人并非完美无缺，而是忠心事奉基督及其教会的信徒。保罗称他们为“亲爱的”、“同工”，以及那些为福音“冒死”的人。这些反复的问候最终归结于这一嘱咐：

“你们要用圣洁的亲嘴彼此问安。”（罗马书 16:16）

基督信仰不仅是教义上的，更是关系上的。福音会催生对弟兄姊妹真挚的情感。忠心的圣徒应当被认可、被珍视，并作为神家的一员受到热情的拥抱。

(2) 远离制造分裂的人（罗马书 16:17–20）

然而，这位热情问候的使徒同时也发出了严厉的警告。

“弟兄们，我劝你们要提防那些离间你们、绊倒你们、使你们违反你们所学的教义的人。你们也要避开他们。”（罗马书 16:17）

保罗并非天真。教会聚会中不仅有忠心的仆人，也有欺骗性的影响。这样的人用“花言巧语和奉承”来欺骗毫无防备的心（第18节）。他们看似有说服力，但他们的忠诚终究不在基督身上。

请注意这种对比：忠心的人受到问候；制造分裂的人则被远离。基督的爱并不要求我们放弃分辨力。合一固然宝贵，但必须是在真理中的合一。教会既被呼召去彼此相爱，也被呼召保持警醒。

然而，保罗以希望结束了这番警告：“赐平安的　神快要把撒但践踏在你们脚下。愿我们主耶稣的恩惠与你们同在。”（罗马书 16:20）

每一种欺骗的背后都站着那古老的仇敌，但他的败亡已成定局。教会并非为得胜而战，而是从基督已赢得的胜利中出战。

(3) 同心荣耀神（罗马书 16:21–27）

最后的问候揭示了神子民的非凡多样性。

非比是教会的女执事（第1节）。该犹热心款待（第23节）。以拉都担任城里的司库（第23节）。还有些人是劳工、传教士、亲属、前囚犯，以及如今在历史上大多已不为人知的普通信徒。然而，在神面前，他们都站在平等的地位上。

无论是仆人还是贵人，初信者还是资深圣徒，囚徒还是公职人员，每位信徒都成为神救赎计划的一部分。福音聚集了来自各行各业的人，并将他们联合在敬拜之中。因此，保罗的结语并非颂扬人的成就，而是归荣耀给神：

“愿荣耀借着耶稣基督，归给独一全智的　神，直到永远。阿们。”（罗马书 16:27）

神的智慧主导了历史，揭示了福音的奥秘，聚集了祂的子民，保守了祂的教会，并确保了撒但的败亡。一切荣耀唯独归于祂。

反思：《罗马书》以一个简单却发人深省的问题作结：我们应当问候谁，又应当远离谁？基督忠心的仆人应当被爱、被鼓励，并被当作家人接纳。那些坚持制造分裂、传播谎言的人，应当被识破并远离。基督徒的生活既需要温暖的爱心，也需要属灵的分辨力。

在这一切之中，来自各行各业的信徒都因一个伟大的目标而联合：“愿荣耀借着耶稣基督，归给独一全智的　神，直到永远。阿们。”（罗马书 16:27）

祷告

天父。感谢祢在我们生命中安置了忠心的信徒，他们鼓励、坚固我们，并与我们并肩事奉。求祢赐给我们一颗充满爱心、坚守真理的心。求祢赐给我们智慧，使我们能辨识并远离欺骗、分裂，以及一切会使我们偏离基督的事物。求祢保守我们忠于福音，顺服祢的话语。我们虽来自不同的背景，蒙召的职分各异，求祢将我们联合起来，一同荣耀祢。愿我们的生命为祢的名带来尊荣，愿我们安息在祢的应许中——祢必借着我们的主耶稣基督，快将撒但践踏在我们脚下。愿荣耀归给祢——独一的智慧神，直到永远，借着耶稣基督。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。