Romans 16
The full text of Romans 16 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.
4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord's people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings, according to the command of the eternal God, for the obedience of faith among all the nations —
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever. Amen.
Translation notes (21)
- Romans 16:1a The Greek word 'diakonon' means "deacon," "minister," or "servant." This same word is used elsewhere to refer to a recognized church office; Phoebe is the only person in the New Testament called a 'diakonos' of a specific church.
- Romans 16:2a The Greek word 'prostatis' means "a patron," "benefactor," or "protector." This term indicates a position of standing and leadership, not merely a helper.
- Romans 16:3a The Greek word 'Priskan' refers to Prisca, which is the form Paul uses. The phrase 'synergous mou' means "my fellow workers." Prisca is named first here, often appearing before her husband Aquila.
- Romans 16:4a The Greek phrase 'ton heauton trachelon hypethekan' means "they laid down their own necks."
- Romans 16:5a The Greek phrase 'aparche tes Asias eis Christon' means "the firstfruits of Asia for Christ."
- Romans 16:6a The Greek phrase 'polla ekopiasen' means "labored much." This is the same verb Paul uses to describe his own apostolic toil.
- Romans 16:7a The Greek word 'Iounian' is most often understood by scholars as the feminine name Junia, referring to a woman; the masculine name 'Junias' is not found in the ancient world. However, some manuscripts and editions have interpreted it as masculine.
- Romans 16:7b This can also be translated as "well known to the apostles." The Greek phrase 'episemoi en tois apostolois' can mean either that they were prominent members of the group of apostles, or that the apostles held them in high regard.
- Romans 16:10a The Greek phrase 'ton dokimon en Christo' means "the one approved or tested in Christ."
- Romans 16:12a The Greek phrase 'tas kopiosas en Kyrio' means "women who labor in the Lord." This uses the same verb that describes apostolic labor.
- Romans 16:13a The Greek phrase 'ton eklekton en Kyrio' means "the chosen or elect one in the Lord."
- Romans 16:14a The Greek phrase 'tous syn autois adelphous' means "the brothers and sisters with them."
- Romans 16:16a The Greek phrase 'en philemati hagio' means "with a holy kiss," which was the customary greeting of the early church.
- Romans 16:17a The Greek phrase 'dichostasias kai ta skandala' means "dissensions and stumbling blocks."
- Romans 16:18a The Greek phrase 'te heauton koilia' refers to "their own belly or appetite." 'Chrestologias' means "smooth or plausible speech," and 'akakon' refers to "the innocent or unsuspecting."
- Romans 16:19a The Greek word 'akeraious' means "unmixed," "pure," or "innocent." It literally means "unhorned," implying harmlessness.
- Romans 16:20a This verse echoes Genesis 3:15. The Greek word syntripsei means 'will crush' or 'shatter,' and en tachei means 'soon' or 'quickly.'
- Romans 16:22a Tertius was Paul's scribe, also called an amanuensis, who inserts his own greeting here.
- Romans 16:23a The Greek phrase ho oikonomos tes poleos means 'the city treasurer' or 'manager of public works,' and ho xenos mou means 'my host.'
- Romans 16:24a This benediction is absent from many of the earliest manuscripts, which place the grace at verse 20. The concluding doxology, often numbered 16:25-27, is also textually uncertain and placed in various locations in the manuscripts.
- Romans 16:25a The placement of this doxology (16:25–27) varies widely in the manuscript tradition: it appears after 14:23 in some manuscripts (F, G, several minuscules), after 15:33 in P46, and here at 16:25 in ℵ, B, C, D. The Trinity Bible Version places it here following the majority of early witnesses.
About this translation
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