Romans Chapter 16
Showing all 27 verses for Romans Chapter 16.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: "
"I want to introduce Phoebe, our sister, who serves the church at Cenchrea (the port town near Corinth)."
Use your voice and credibility to open doors for people who deserve trust but are unknown to others. Vouching for someone's character, especially someone who might be overlooked, is a real act of love.
"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. "
"Welcome her in a way that fits who you are, and help her with whatever she needs from you - she has been a great help to many people, including me."
Hospitality means real, practical help, not just warm words - open your resources to people who've given generously to others. Repay kindness you've heard about by extending your own.
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: "
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the work of Christ Jesus."
Notice and name the people who work alongside you - don't let faithful partnership go unacknowledged. Honour people equally regardless of gender when they've genuinely laboured for good.
"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. "
"They risked their own necks to save my life - I'm grateful to them, and so is every Gentile church."
Real friendship sometimes costs something significant - be willing to take a risk to protect someone you care about. And when someone has sacrificed for you, say so publicly; gratitude that stays silent helps no one.
"Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. "
"Also greet the church that meets in their home. And greet my dear friend Epaenetus, the first person in Achaia (Greece) to become a believer."
Firsts matter - the person who takes the first step often makes the path easier for everyone who follows. Remember and honour the people who went first, even in small, unglamorous ways.
"Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. "
"Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you."
I see the labour nobody applauds - the unseen hours, the quiet effort. Keep working hard even when no one's watching; it matters, and it's noticed by more than you think.
"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. "
"Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives, who were in prison with me at some point. They are outstanding among the apostles, and were believers even before I was."
Don't assume you know who the important people are by appearance, gender, or how long they've been recognised - some of the most faithful, respected people work quietly. Honour costly faithfulness wherever it's found.
"Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. "
"Greet Amplias, my dear friend in the Lord."
Never underestimate the value of simply telling someone you love them - not every relationship needs grand gestures, sometimes "my dear friend" said plainly is enough.
"Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. "
"Greet Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys."
Community isn't an idea - it's specific people with names, and each one deserves to be known and valued individually, not lumped into an anonymous group.
"Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. "
"Greet Apelles, who has proved himself faithful in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus."
Faithfulness proven under pressure deserves real recognition. And faith can take root in the most unlikely corners - even inside households or workplaces where you're not the one calling the shots.
"Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. "
"Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who belong to the Lord."
You don't need your whole family or workplace to share your convictions before your own faith and integrity matter - be faithful even where you're the only one, or one of a few.
"Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. "
"Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard for the Lord."
Hard work in the service of good, done by anyone, deserves to be seen and named - don't let effort go unacknowledged because of who's doing it.
"Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. "
"Greet Rufus, a choice servant of the Lord, and his mother, who has been like a mother to me too."
Family isn't only about blood - people who care for you deeply can become real family, and it's worth honouring that bond openly. Don't be embarrassed to call someone "mother" or "father" in your heart, even without the biology.
"Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. "
"Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the other believers with them."
You don't need a dramatic story to be worth mentioning by name - simply being part of a faithful group, showing up and belonging, has value in itself.
"Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. "
"Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the believers who are with them."
Even in a long list, make sure nobody is forgotten - "all the saints with them" means my care reaches past the names I happen to know, to everyone present.
"Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. "
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings."
Physical warmth and affection, expressed appropriately, matters in community - don't let relationships stay purely functional or distant. You belong to something bigger than your own small circle; feel that connection.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. "
"Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, watch out for people who cause splits and stumbling-blocks contrary to the teaching you've learned, and stay away from them."
Love doesn't mean being naive - it's right to notice patterns of people who cause division and harm, and to protect yourself and your community by keeping distance from them. Discernment and love aren't opposites.
"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. "
"Because people like that aren't serving our Lord Jesus Christ - they're serving their own appetites, deceiving unsuspecting people with smooth talk and flattery."
Don't judge someone's motives by how good they sound - watch what they're actually serving: real good for others, or their own appetite and gain. Smooth talk is a warning sign worth taking seriously, not a reason to relax your guard.
"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. "
"News of your obedience has reached everyone - I'm glad for you because of that. But I still want you to be wise about what's good, and innocent regarding evil."
You can stay pure-hearted, refusing to get cynical or corrupted, while still being sharp and wise about what's actually happening around you. Innocence and wisdom aren't opposites - I want you skilled in good and untouched by evil, both at once.
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. "
"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Whatever tries to divide you, deceive you, or drag you down doesn't get the last word - real, complete victory over destructive forces is coming, and you're part of that victory, not just a spectator to it.
"Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. "
"Timothy, my fellow-worker, sends you greetings, and so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives."
Let the people around you add their own voice when you reach out to someone you love - relationships extend outward through the people who know and care about each other.
"I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. "
"I, Tertius, the one who actually wrote this letter down, greet you in the Lord."
Even the "behind-the-scenes" contributor deserves recognition and a voice of their own - notice and value the people who help make something happen, even in supporting, unglamorous roles.
"Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. "
"Gaius, who is hosting me and the whole church here, sends greetings. So does Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus."
Faith isn't confined to the fringes of society - it can and should show up in respected public roles too, lived out with the same integrity there as anywhere else.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. "
"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
End well - close things out with blessing, not tension. Whatever's been said before, let the last word between you and someone you love be one of grace.
"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, "
"Now to God, who is able to make you strong according to the good news I preach about Jesus Christ, and according to the revealing of a mystery kept hidden since the beginning of time..."
What might feel like new, life-changing truth to you was actually planned long before you existed - you're not stumbling onto something accidental, you're being let in on something ancient and intentional. Let that steady you.
"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: "
"But now has been revealed, and made known to all nations through the writings of the prophets, by command of the eternal God, so that all nations might respond with the obedience that comes from faith..."
This was never meant to stay small or exclusive - it was always aimed at everyone, everywhere, meant to produce a response of trust that shapes how you actually live, not just what you believe in theory.
"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. "
"To the only wise God be glory forever, through Jesus Christ. Amen."
Let everything you've learned, all your effort and understanding, ultimately point somewhere beyond yourself - towards gratitude and wonder, not self-congratulation. That's the right way to end anything good: giving credit where it's due.