One-Year Bible Reading Plan  : Seekers & New Believers | May 13 | Romans Chapter 16: Greetings in Christ and Final Doxology 

🦌 Opening Today’s Reading 

Dear brothers, sisters, and friends, peace be with you in the Lord!

Welcome to today's reading journey! Today, we complete our study of a magnificent book as we read Romans Chapter 16.

None of us walk through life or faith completely alone. Have you ever paused to give thanks for those who quietly encourage, partner with, and support you along the way?

Let's pause and take a quiet moment. Bringing a thankful heart, let's step into today's scripture to see Paul's personal greetings to his fellow laborers and his triumphant closing praise to God.

📖 Context Snapshot 

Where are we today?

Romans Chapter 16 serves as the warm epilogue and solemn benediction to the Epistle to the Romans:

1. Commendation and Personal Greetings (Romans 16:1–16): Paul commends Phoebe, a servant of the church, and greets over twenty-five individuals including Priscilla and Aquila, noting their labor, love, and partnership in Christ.

2. Warning Against Division (Romans 16:17–20): Paul urges believers to avoid those who cause divisions contrary to sound doctrine, concluding with the empowering promise that the God of peace shall bruise Satan under their feet shortly.

3. Greetings from Companions and Final Doxology (Romans 16:21–27): Timothy and other companions send their greetings. Paul closes with a grand doxology, giving glory to the only wise God who established them according to the mystery now revealed to all nations.

💡 Today’s Scripture Verse  - Romans 16

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.

🌟Daily Heart-Check:  From "Lone Walking" to "United Fellowship"  

• The Beauty of Christian Fellowship: Paul's extensive list of personal names highlights that ministry and life are built on mutual love, shared burdens, and faithful community.

• The Promise of Ultimate Victory: Though challenges and false teachings exist, our confidence rests in the "God of peace," who assures us of His grace and ultimate victory over darkness.

🎵 Response Song :  

🙏 Closing Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father,

Thank You for guiding us through the profound truths of Romans Chapter 16.

We thank You for the brothers, sisters, and friends You place along our path to support and encourage us. Grant us vigilance to guard peace and truth, and keep our hearts anchored in Your wisdom.

We praise You, the only wise God, who has revealed Your eternal mystery through Jesus Christ. May Your peace guard our hearts, and may Your grace abide with us always.

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!