Morning Message: Change Has Come!

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Change Has Come!"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Paul has been traveling in this second section of Galatians 1. He gives testimony of the changed life he has received, and gives us an abbreviated overview of how he ended up teaching of Christ, rather than persecuting Him. He assures the readers of this letter that this change has come about because of the wonderful works of God. His knowledge of Christ was not taught to him by man, not like he was taught the scriptures of Judaism. Paul says of his new preaching, that it came by “revelation of God!”

Paul is writing this letter about 60 A.D., again from Corinth. It’s been many years since he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, but that day is like it happened yesterday. His mind is clear and his memories are fresh. The days between have not been without trials, but the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have given him clarity, and purpose.

As he continues to preach Christ, he has learned how to maintain against the error of the Jews, and of the Judaisers. This is not new wine poured into old wineskins. This is a completely new doctrine revealed to him by the Holy Spirit; that the redeemer of the Jews has already come, and his former teachers missed it! And He speaks of one of the great mysteries of the faith, that Christ lives within us.  “Immanuel,” God with us! (Isaiah 7:14 & verse 16 of this chapter.)

The Apostle apparently preached in Damascus for a while before going to Jerusalem to meet with Peter, one of the pillars of the Church. His zeal for Christ and His gospel have thoroughly replaced the zeal he once held for Judaism. He has overcome the precepts of men that were taught as doctrines of faith, and follows the teachings of Christ through his love for God’s Word as revealed to him during his days in the desert of Arabia. A change has come!

“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” - 2 Timothy 4:2

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Galatians 1:11-24 - "Change Has Come!"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We are continuing our study in Galatians chapter 1 from verse 11. 

To recap, Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia because they fallen away from the gospel of grace and were embracing the claim that Gentiles must first submit to all the Mosaic Law before they could become Christians.  Shocked by the Galatians' openness to this damning heresy, Paul not only counters these Judaizing false teachers to defend justification by faith (which is the heart of the gospel), but to warn the churches in Galatia of the dire consequences of abandoning this essential doctrine. 

Paul then defends his position as an apostle and explains to them that his authority comes from Christ alone.  Paul's authority as an apostle came by the authority of Christ Himself, and the Gospel he has received and is now preaching is the same Gospel given to Him by Christ.

As we finish chapter one, we get a small version of Paul’s conversion story where Paul lays out how the Gospel transformed his life.  The Gospel brings us freedom and power to change! And no greater example of that freedom to change exists than in the testimony of a former Jewish rabbi named Saul of Tarsus, or as we most commonly know him, Paul the Apostle.

One of the things we learn as we hear Paul’s heart and story, is the power our testimony has to impact other people. While your story may not be as dramatic as Paul’s was, (actually few are), it is still your story. You need to know that more people will respond to the Gospel by your testimony than by your efforts to argue or reason someone into a decision. People will reject your arguments. They cannot ignore your testimony, and the way that following Jesus has affected and transformed you.

As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Saul, this fervent, Jewish rabbi who was living and breathing hatred for all things Christian and who wanted to destroy anything remotely connected to this renegade Jesus, was changed by God’s grace. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace . . . " “To reveal His Son in me….” - Galatians 1:15-16.

When God calls, you don’t say “just a minute.” It stops you in your tracks. The call and the deed are simultaneous. The strength to do what He calls comes.

What stopped Saul, the angry and violent rabbi in his tracks, was a vision of the risen Christ just outside of Damascus. Acts 9 tells us it happened in the middle of the day; the risen Lord appeared to Saul. As we understand it, only he saw Jesus…none of those with him. The appearance and power of the resurrected Jesus knocked him to the ground, and He said, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting ME?”

And because of that encounter with Jesus, Saul came away a new person with a new mission and direction in his life. He was transformed…changed by the grace of God.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Make Known to You (1:11) - The strong Greek verb Paul used here often introduced an important and emphatic statement.

The Gospel . . . Not According to Man (1:11) - The gospel Paul preached was not human in origin or it would have been like all other human religion, permeated with works righteousness born of man's pride and Satan's deception (Romans 1:16).

Neither Received it from Man, Nor Was I Taught It (1:12) - This was in contrast to the Judaizers, who received their religious instruction from rabbinic tradition. Most Jews did not study the actual Scriptures; instead, they used human interpretations of Scripture as their religious authority and guide. Many of their traditions not only were no taught in Scripture but also contradicted it (Mark 7:13).

Through the Revelation (1:12) - This refers to the unveiling of something previously kept secret - in this case, Jesus Christ. While he knew about Christ, Paul subsequently met Him personally on the road to Damascus and received the truth of the gospel from Him (Acts 9:1-16).

Judaism (1:13) - The Jewish religious system of works righteousness, based not primarily on the OT text, but on rabbinic interpretations and traditions.  In fact, Paul will argue that a proper understanding of the OT can lead only to Christ and His Gospel of grace through faith (Galatians 3:6-29).

Persecuted (1:13) - The tense of this Greek verb emphasizes Paul's persistent and continual effort to hurt and ultimately exterminate Christians.

Profited . . . Above (Advanced . . . Beyond) (1:14) - The Greek word for advanced means "to chop ahead," much like one would blaze a trail through a forest.  Paul blazed his path in Judaism (cf. Philippians 3:5, 6), and because he saw Jewish Christians as obstacles to its advancement, he worked to cut them down.

Exceedingly Zealous (1:14) - Paul demonstrated this by the extent to which he pursued and persecuted Christians (cf. Acts 8:1-3; 26:11).

Traditions of My Fathers (1:14) - The oral teachings about OT law commonly known as the Halakah.  this collection of interpretations of the law eventually carried the same authority as, or even greater than, the law (Torah) itself.  Its regulations were so hopelessly complex and burdensome that even the most astute rabbinical scholars could not master it by either interpretation or conduct.

Separated Me From My Mother's Womb (1:15) - Paul was being separated or set apart to God for service from the time of his birth.

Called Me Through His Grace (1:15) - Chosen for salvation.

Reveal His Son In Me (1:16) - Not only was Christ revealed to Paul on the Damascus Road, but in him as God gave him the life, light, and faith to believe in Him.

Preach Him Among the Gentiles (1:16) - Paul's specific call to proclaim the gospel to non-Jews.

Conferred Not with Flesh and Blood (1:16) - Paul did not look to Ananias or other Christians at Damascus for clarification of or addition to the revelation he received from Christ (Acts 9:19, 20).

Jerusalem . . . Arabia . . .Damascus (1:17) - Rather than immediately travel to Jerusalem to be instructed by the apostles, Paul instead went to Nabatean Arabia, a wilderness desert that stretched east of Damascus down to the Sinai Peninsula.  After being prepared for ministry by the Lord, he returned to minister in nearby Damascus.

Three Years (1:18) - The approximate time from Paul's conversion to his first journey to Jerusalem.  During those years he made a visit to Damascus and resided in Arabia, under the instruction of the Lord.  This visit is discussed in Acts 9:26-30.

Up To Jerusalem (1:18) - Travelers in Israel always speak of going "up" to Jerusalem because of its higher elevation.

Peter (1:18) - The apostle who was the personal companion of the Lord and the most powerful spokesman in the early years of the Jerusalem church (Acts 1-12).

James, the Lord's Brother (1:19) - James was a son of Mary and Joseph and therefore a half-brother to Jesus and brother to Joseph, Simon, Judas, and their sisters (Matthew 13:55). In the Gospels, James is mentioned a couple of times, but at that time he misunderstood Jesus’ ministry and was not a believer (John 7:2-5). James becomes one of the earliest witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). He then stays in Jerusalem and forms part of the group of believers who pray in the upper room (Acts 1:14). From that time forward, James’ status within the Jerusalem church begins to grow. James is still in Jerusalem when the recently converted Saul arrives to meet with him and Peter (Galatians 1:19).

Syria and Cilicia (1:21) - This area included Paul's hometown of Tarsus.  He was preaching in that region for several years.  when word of revival in that area reached Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas (see Acts 11:20-26).  Paul stayed on in that region as a pastor in the church at Antioch.  With Barnabas, they went from there on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3) and afterward returned to Antioch (Acts 14:26) from where they were sent to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 14:26-15:4).

Judea (1:22) - This is the region in which Jerusalem was located.

They Glorified God in Me (1:24) - Proof that the gospel Paul preached was the same one the other apostles had taught the Judean believers.

Morning Message: His Yoke Is Easy

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "His Yoke is Easy"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Epistle to the Galatians that we begin today is not just for a single Church. Asia Minor, which we refer to as Turkey today, was at the time of the letter called Anatolia. The region known as Galatia covered a large area of central Anatolia. There in that part of the country we find cities that we have read of in Acts of the Apostles: Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe were small cities but worthwhile stops in Paul’s travels. These were the Galatian Churches.

The region was named after the Gauls of Europe (Celts) after they found themselves unwelcome in their skirmishes to expand eastward to the Balkan States.
The Gauls eventually moved to central Anatolia as warrior-immigrants between 300 and 200 BC, centuries even before Christ. They established the Galatian region as their own, and it was called after them.

While Paul was near Lystra and Derbe, he met a young Timothy as a follower. It was several years later that Paul learned of problems in the region. Judaizers had followed Paul and preached the Jewish Law, requiring these new Gentile Converts to follow Jewish Laws and customs. Colossians 2:8 through chapter 3 goes into great detail of the problem also visited upon the Galatian churches, namely the completeness of Christ in the heart and mind of the Believers, rather than following laws made BY the Jews, and FOR the Jews in the practice of THEIR faith. (If Jews could not follow their own laws, what chance would gentiles have?)

The Judaizers saw this new faith in Jesus as a sect of Judaism, therefore in their minds, the Levitical Laws needed to be adopted by these new Christians. Paul disagreed vehemently! He had tasted of the freedom that Christ gave to those who follow His teachings, and knew that following Christ was a better way to live.

This wonderful Epistle is full of solid doctrine for Christian Churches and Believers: follow Christ Jesus rather than a human interpretation of His teachings! This is an important difference, and the reason that the Gospels were written: to let the Jews know that there was a better way to Worship God, and to bring them out of bondage to those laws and customs that even Paul declares were against us!

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:30

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Galatians 1:1-12 - "His Yoke Is Easy"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Paul wrote to the churches in southern Galatia after having a hand in starting them on his first missionary journey to Asia Minor. Paul’s close relationship to these churches helps to explain the extremely strong tone he took with them from the very beginning of the letter. Galatians exhibits Paul at his angriest, as he risked the good favor of the converts in those churches to make sure they were on the path of truth and not led off into deception. In fact, to emphasize the seriousness of his purpose, he took the pen from his scribe and wrote the end of the letter himself in large letters (Galatians 6:11).

Upon arriving back in Antioch from his first missionary journey after eighteen months on the road, Paul received a report that the churches he had started in Galatia had fallen into hard times—specifically, they had fallen into error. A group of Judaizers—those who sought to make living under the Mosaic Law a requirement of the Christian faith—had gained an influence in the Galatian churches. Paul wrote the book a few months before his attendance at the Jerusalem Council in AD 49, a meeting where the apostles would take up this very topic (Acts 15:1–30).

In advance of the Jerusalem Council, Paul’s letter speaks wisdom and clarity into the first real controversy that plagued the church in its early years—the relationship between Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles. Paul’s aggressive tone shows just how important it was to him that the people embrace unity in Christ, no matter their racial distinctions. For him, this was no minor issue, as he went so far as to call the Galatians deserters of Christ, people turning from the truth toward a gospel contrary to the one they had received from Paul (Galatians 1:6–9).

When the Galatians fell away so quickly from the gospel of grace Paul had preached to them, they also made clear their disloyalty to Paul’s authority as an apostle. Therefore, Paul began the letter to the Galatians by spending two chapters defending that very issue. Only in chapter 3 did he begin to get to the heart of their error; namely, that these Galatians sought to be justified by the Mosaic Law. In contrast, Paul presented his argument that justification comes to people by faith in Jesus Christ, not by their works under the Law.

Part of the problem that confronted the Galatians came in one of the arguments made by the Judaizers. These false teachers suggested that to live by grace and in freedom meant to live a lawless and therefore degenerate life. And so, in the final chapters of the letter, Paul made clear that justification—an act of grace through faith—need not result in a sinful lifestyle. Because Christians have been freed from bondage to the sinful nature, we now have the path of holiness open to us.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Paul, an Apostle (1:1) - Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in the province of Cilicia, not far from Galatia.  Under the famous rabbi, Gamaliel, Paul received a thorough training in the OT Scriptures and in the rabbinic traditions at Jerusalem (Acts 22:3).  He was a member of the ultraorthodox sect of the Pharisees (Acts 23:6) and was one of the rising stars in Judaism.  Paul's life took a sudden turn when on his way to Damascus from Jerusalem to persecute Christians, he was confronted by the risen, glorified Christ.  That dramatic encounter turned Paul from Christianity's chief persecutor to its greatest missionary.  "Apostle" in general terms means "one who is sent with a commission."  The apostles of Jess Christ - The Twelve and Paul - were special ambassadors or messengers chosen and trained by Christ to lay the foundation of the early church and to be the channels of God's completed revelation (cf. Acts 1:2, 2:42; Ephesians 2:20).

Not From Men . . . But Through Jesus Christ (1:1) - Defending his apostleship against the false teachers' attack, Paul emphasized that Christ Himself appointed him as an apostle before he met the other apostles (cf. vv. 17, 18; Acts 9:3-9).

Raised Him from the Dead (1:1) - Paul included this important fact to show that the risen and ascended Christ Himself appointed him, thus Paul was a qualified witness of His resurrection (cf. Acts 1:22). 

Churches of Galatia (1:2) - The churches Paul founded at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:14-14:23).

Grace to You and Peace (1:3) - Even Paul's typical greeting attacked the Judaizers' legalistic system.  If salvation is by works as they claimed, it is not of "grace" and cannot result in "peace," since no one can be sure he has enough good works to be eternally secure.

For Our Sins (1:4) - No one can avoid sin by human effort or law-keeping (Romans 3:20); therefore, it must be forgiven, which Christ accomplished through His atoning death on the cross (3:13).

Present Evil Age (1:4) - The Greek word for "age" does not refer to a period of time but an order or system, and in particular to the current world system ruled by Satan.

The Will of Our God (1:4) - The sacrifice of Christ for salvation was the will of God designed and fulfilled for His glory. (Matthew 26:42; John 6:38-40; Acts 2:22, 23; Romans 8:3, 31, 32; Ephesians 1:7, 11; Hebrews 10:4-10).

Turning Away (1:6) - This is better translated "deserting."  The Greek word was used of military desertion, which was punishable by death.  The form of this Greek verb indicates that the Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue the legalism taught by the false teachers.

So Soon (1:6) - This Greek word can mean either "easily" or "Quickly" and sometimes both.  No doubt both senses characterized the Galatians' response to the false teachers' heretical doctrines.

Called You (1:6) This could be translated, "who called you once and for all" (2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14; 2 Timothy 1:8, 9; 1 Peter 1:15), and refers to God's effectual call to salvation.

Grace of Christ (1:6) - God's free and sovereign act of mercy in granting salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ, totally apart from any human work or merit.

Different Gospel (1:6) - The Judaizers' perversion of the true gospel.  They added the requirements, ceremonies, and standards of the Old Covenant as necessary prerequisites to salvation.

Trouble (1:7) - The Greek word could be translated "disturb" and means "to shake back and forth, " such as to agitate or stir up.  Here, it refers to the deep emotional disturbance the Galatian believers experienced.

Pervert (1:7) - To turn something into its opposite.  By adding law to the gospel of Christ, the false teachers were effectively destroying grace, turning the message of God's undeserved favor toward sinners into a message of earned and merited favor.

The Gospel of Christ (1:7) - The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

We, or An Angel from Heaven (1:8) - Paul's point is hypothetical, calling on the most unlikely examples for false teaching - himself and holy angels.  The Galatians should receive no messenger, regardless of how impeccable his credentials, if his doctrine of salvation differs in the slightest degree from God's truth revealed through Christ and the apostles.

Accursed (1:8) - The translation of the familiar Greek word anathema, which refers to devoting someone to destruction in eternal hell (cf. Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22).

As We Have Said Before (1:9) - This refers to what Paul taught during an earlier visit to these churches, not to a previous comment in this epistle.

Anyone (1:9) - Paul turns from the hypothetical case of verse 8 to the real situation faced by the Galatians.  The Judaizers were doing just that and were to be devoted to destruction because of their damning heresy.

Still Pleased Men (1:10) - Paul's previous motivation when he used to persecute Christians on behalf of his fellow Jews.

A Bondservant of Christ (1:10) - Paul had become a willing slave of Christ which cost him a great deal of suffering from others (6:17).  Such personal sacrifice is exactly opposite the goal of pleasing men (6:12).

Make Known to You (1:11) - The strong Greek verb Paul used here often introduced an important and emphatic statement. 

The Gospel . . . Not According to Man (1:11) - The gospel Paul preached was not human in origin or it would have been like all other human religion, permeated with works righteousness born of man's pride and Satan's deception (Romans 1:16).

Neither Received it from Man, Nor Was I Taught It (1:12) - This was in contrast to the Judaizers, who received their religious instruction from rabbinic tradition.  Most Jews did no study the actual Scriptures; instead, they used human interpretations of Scripture as their religious authority and guide.  Many of their traditions not only were no taught in Scripture but also contradicted it (Mark 7:13). 

Through the Revelation (1:12) - This refers to the unveiling of something previously kept secret - in this case, Jesus Christ.  While he knew about Christ, Paul subsequently met Him personally on the road to Damascus and received the truth of the gospel from Him (Acts 9:1-16).

Morning Message: The Unity of the Church

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Unity of the Church"
Written By: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

This final chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is in three parts. The first part takes us through verse 16, as Paul provides an introduction for Phebe, the courier of the Roman Epistle, and then offers greetings to friends, and family alike who are in the Church at Rome. The Roman letter introduces us to some of Paul’s family, who were also Believers, some even before Paul became one!

Verses 17-20 supplies warnings of those whose doctrines are not those of Christ, but of deceivers, and blessings for those that remain faithful to Christ’s teachings.

From verse 20 through the end is like an author’s acknowledgements at the end of a novel, for all those that have been a help to him during his eighteenth months in Corinth.

This 16th chapter gives us insight into Paul’s family and his helpers in his travels around the known world of that time. The theme of this Epistle is clearly “The Gospel of Christ” and its unifying effect, and its importance to the Church. The Gospel is foundation, doctrine, teachings, and encouragement in-the-Spirt as new believers become mature in their faith. Names are named, thanks and blessings are offered, warnings supplied, and the “Mystery of the Church” becomes a unifying aspect of the entire church, truly being of one mind!

The Apostle’s eyesight was diminished, either from the temporary blinding on the Damascus Road, or a common eye disease that plagued many because of the arid climate of the region. And so, the actual scribe of the Epistle, a man named Tertius, offers his own salutation in verse 22. (Compare with Galatians 6:11.)

The Roman Epistle is the sixth of Paul’s letters chronologically, but one of the most powerful, and applicable for the Church today. Paul’s love for the Church mirrors the Love of Jesus towards all. And Paul does not shrink away from the importance of the Holy Spirit when ministering to others. All three members of the Holy Trinity are clearly at work throughout the Letter to the Romans. 

 From Colossians 1:27 -

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 16:1-27 - "The Unity of the Church"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Romans 16 is a powerful chapter that concludes Paul’s epistle to the Romans. It’s filled with personal greetings, commendations, and final instructions to the believers in Rome.

He also warns against those who cause divisions and offenses, urging the Romans to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.

As we jump into the details of this chapter, we’ll uncover valuable lessons about unity, love, and steadfastness in the faith. We’ll see how Paul’s final words to the Romans can encourage and inspire us today to live out our calling as believers in Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, Paul takes the time to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication of his fellow ministers and followers of Christ.  In these verses, we clearly see the diversity in the church.  Paul mentions twenty-six individuals, twenty-four by name, two households, at least three (probably four or five or more) churches - men, women, married, single or widows, different backgrounds.

In the churches in Rome, there were Jews and Gentiles, there were freeborn, there were slaves, and there were freed men and women, that is, those who were former slaves. There were people of vastly different socioeconomic status. There were people with conflicting cultural and religious backgrounds. There were new believers and there were some who had been in Christ for many years. How do we know that? Well, Rufus and his mother, the wife of Simon of Cyrene, were saved around the time of the Crucifixion, some 25 years earlier. Paul says that Andronicus and Junias were in Christ before him, sometime before 32 or 33 AD. That, again, would have been 20-25 years before.

The question is this: how could people from such different backgrounds enjoy such a wonderful and rich spirit of unity? Not only does Christ intend for His church to be diverse, but the source of our unity is Christ our Lord. Paul says these believers were either “in the Lord” or “in Christ”. That was the source of their unity, and it is the source of our unity as well. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit [the Holy Spirit] we were all [all believers] baptized [immersed] into one body [whose body? Christ’s body!], whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” That’s what unites us. What defines us is our common Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Phoebe (16:1) - The name means "bright and radiant," which aptly fits Paul's brief description of her personality and Christian character.   She was a "servant" from where we get "deacon" and "deaconess."   In the early church women servants cared for sick believers, the poor, strangers, and those in prison.  They instructed the women and children (cf. Titus 2:3-5).  Whether Phoebe had an official title or not, she had the great responsibility of delivering this letter to the Romans church.  When they had served faithfully and become widowed and destitute, such women were to be cared for by the church (1 timothy 5:13-16). 

Cenchrea (16:1) - A neighboring port city of Corinth, where Paul wrote Romans.  The church in Cenchrea was probably planted by the Corinthian church.

Priscilla and Aquila (16:3) - This husband-and-wife team were Paul's close friends who even risked their own lives for him.  The remaining five times they are mentioned in Scripture, Priscilla is listed first, at least four times, which could imply she had a high social rand than Aquila, or that she was the more prominent of the two in the church.  They probably were Christians when Paul met them, having come from Rome where a church already existed (Romans 1:7, 8).

Epaenetus (16:5) - Likely saved through Paul's preaching and lovingly discipled by the apostle.  "Firstfruits" or first convert in Achaia (Asia Minor).

Mary . . . Labored Much (16:6) - Not much known about her.  It says she labored much, which means hard work to the point of exhaustion.  The context suggests she might have ministered in the church at Rome since its founding and been mentioned to Paul by others.  

Andronicus and Junia (16:7) - Possibly a married couple.  Junia can be a women's name. It says they were fellow prisoners with Paul, either sharing the same cell, or adjacent cells at some point.  Their ministry with Paul, and some of the other apostles in Jerusalem before Paul was converted, was well known and appreciated by the apostles.

Amplias (16:8) - A common name among the emperor's household of slaves at that time.  He may have been one of those in "Caesar's household" (Philippians 4:22).

Stachys (16:9) - Obviously, he was close to Paul, but the details are not known.

Aristobulus (16:10) - Paul does not greet him personally. He was probably not a believer, although some relatives and household servants apparently were.  He may have been related to Herod Agrippa I, according to some scholars. 

Herodion (16:11) - Was related to the Herod family, and so perhaps associated with the household of Aristobulus.  Paul refers to him as his "Kinsman," indicating that he may have been one of Paul's Jewish relatives. 

Household of Narcissus (16:11) - Some believe that this was the Emperor Claudius's secretary.  If so, two households within the palace had Christians in them (cf. Philippians 4:22).

Tryphena and Tryphosa (16:12) - Possibly twin sisters, whose names mean "delicate" and "dainty." 

Persis (16:12) - Named after her native Persia; since her work is spoken of in the past tense, she was probably older than the other two women in this verse. 

Rufus (16:13) - Most scholars agree that this was one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene, the man enlisted to carry Jesus' cross (cf. Mark 15:21) and was likely saved through that contact with Christ.  Paul writes that he was "chosen in the Lord," indicating he was widely known as an extraordinary believer because of his great love and service.  He is not Paul's natural brother.  Rufus's mother at some time had cared for Paul during his ministry travels.

Brethren (16:14, 15) - refers to both men and women in this context. 

Holy Kiss (16:16) - Signifying spiritual kinship with fellow believers in the faith. Kissing of friends on the forehead, cheek, or beard was common in the O.T. as it is in many cultures today.  The Jews in the NT church carried on the practice, and it became especially precious to new believers, who were often outcasts from their own families.

Divisions and Offenses (16:17) - Doctrinal falsehood and unrighteous practices (cf. Matthew 24:24; Acts 20:27-32; Galatians 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:14). 

Belly (16:18) - Driven by self-interest and self-gratification, often seen in their pretentious, extravagant, and immoral lifestyles (cf. Philippians 3:18, 19; 2 Timoth 3:7, 8; 2 Peter 1:20-2:3, 10-19; Jude 12, 13).

Lucius (16:21) - He is either a native of Cyrene, one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch who participated in Paul and Barnabas's commissioning (Acts 13:1-3) or the name is another form of "Luke," the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

Jason (16:21) - One of the first converts in Thessalonica who let Paul stay in his home for a short time before Paul and Silas were sent to Berea.

Sosipater (16:21) - This is one of the Bereans (cf. Acts 17:10-12) who joined other believers in the meeting Paul at Troas after the apostle left Ephesus.

Tertius (16:22) - Paul's secretary, who wrote this letter as Paul dictated it, inserts a personal greeting.

Gaius (16:23) - One of Paul's converts at Corinth (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14). 

The Whole Church (16:23) - The congregation that met in Gaius's house.

Erastus (16:23) - A common name in NT times, but probably not the same man referred to in Acts 19:22, or 2 Timothy 3:20. He was a chamberlain or treasurer in the city of Corinth.  This was a prominent position with political clout.

Preaching of Jesus Christ (16:25) - Synonymous with the gospel, it was Paul's supreme life commitment.

The Mystery (16:25) - Refers to something hidden in former times but now is made known (1 Corinthians 4:1; Ephesians 5:32; 6:19; Colossians 1:25, 26; 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8; 1 Timothy 3:9, 16). The New Testaments most common mystery is that God would provide salvation for Gentiles as well as Jews (Ephesians 3:3-9).

Prophetic Scriptures Made Known (16:26) - God told Israel that He would not only call her to righteousness, but appoint her as a light (of the gospel) to the nations.

To God . . . Be Glory (16:27) - It was through the Father that the gospel was ultimately revealed, therefore He deserves all the credit, praise, and worship.