Unity in Diversity:
Lessons from Paul's Network in Romans 16
Michael Ryan Stotler
Part of Romans
November 20, 2024

Music🎶

Celebrate Jesus
Holy Spirit: You Are Welcome Here
Refiner’s Fire
Change My Heart Oh God

Sermon Notes

Title: “Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Paul’s Network in Romans 16”

Introduction:
- Paul’s roles: teacher, preacher, leader, theologian, and man of community.
- The importance of relationships in Paul’s ministry.
- Romans 16:1-23 highlights the network of people helping to spread the Gospel.


1. The Importance of Community:

  • Key Figure: *Phoebe* - Servant of the church in Cenchrea, likely the carrier of Paul’s letter.

    • Possibly a deaconess and financial supporter of the early church.
    • A powerful example of faithful service in the Kingdom of God.
  • Paul’s Network:

    • Paul mentions 28 individuals, from various backgrounds.
    • Diversity: men, women, slaves, Jews, Gentiles.
    • The Church was diverse, just like today, showing us that God uses all types of people for His work.

2. We Are Not Alone in This Journey:

  • Key Idea: The Church is the body of Christ; we cannot do life alone.
    • Paul’s greetings remind us that every believer has a role to play.
    • Encouragement: We are adopted heirs with Christ, and part of God’s family.

3. Paul’s Warning Against Division:

  • Watch out for divisive individuals—those who create obstacles (Romans 16:17).

    • Paul warns against smooth talkers who lead people astray.
    • We must guard the unity of the Church, avoiding gossip, slander, and backbiting.
    • Be vigilant against those who serve themselves rather than Christ.
  • Genesis Story Connection:

    • Paul mirrors the Fall of Adam and Eve, showing how deception and division enter the Church.
    • Reminder: Just as God crushed Satan, we can walk in victory through Jesus Christ.


4. Key Takeaways:

  • Lift Each Other Up in Unity:

    • Encourage one another, avoid being divisive, and focus on the mission of Christ.
    • Sing a song of victory—Christ has already won!
  • Application:

    • Accept Jesus: Commit your life to Christ and His mission.
    • Get to Know One Another: Foster deep, meaningful relationships within the church.
    • Avoid Being the Snake: Don’t be the one who divides; instead, be a source of unity.
    • Serve Together: Use your gifts for the glory of God, whether in the church or in the community.

Next Steps:

  • Reflect on the people God has placed in your life—how can you support and serve them?

  • How can you contribute to the unity and mission of the church?

  • Be alert and vigilant, lifting others up as we work together for the Kingdom of God.


Questions for Further Discussion:
1. What role did Paul play in the lives of the individuals mentioned in Romans 16?


2. How does Paul’s greeting to a diverse group reflect the theology of community?


3. How can we avoid becoming ‘thieves’ or ‘wolves’ in our own communities?


4. What does it mean to lift one another up in unity as Paul encourages?


Closing:
May we honor the memory of the faithful saints, known and unknown, by being as faithful in our time as they were in theirs. Together, we are the body of Christ, empowered to live in unity and victory.


Notes

Individuals: 28
Twenty-six are mentioned by name, plus two other individuals not mentioned by name (Rufus’s mother, v. 13; Nereus’s sister, v. 15).

Groups: 5
The church in Priscilla’s and Aquila’s house (v. 5); the household of Aristobulus (v. 10); the household of Narcissus (v. 11); the brothers associated with Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas (v. 14); the saints with Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and Olympas (v. 15).

Men: 17
Seventeen are greeted (excluding the male heads of households named, but not necessarily greeted as members of the church: Aristobulus and Narcissus): Aquila (v. 3), Epenetus (v. 5), Andronicus (v. v. 7), Ampliatus (v. 8), Urbanus (v. 9), Stachys (v. 9), Apelles (v. 10), Herodion (v. 11), Rufus (v. 13), Asyncritus (v. 14), Phlegon (v. 14), Hermes (v. 14), Patrobas (v. 14), Hermas (v. 14), Philologus (v. 15), Nereus (v. 15), Olympas (v. 15).

Women: 9
Nine are mentioned: Priscilla (v. 3), Mary (v. 6), Junias (v. 7), Tryphena and Tryphosa (twin sisters?, v. 12), Persis (v. 12), Rufus’s mother (v. 13), Julia (v. 15), Nereus’s sister (v. 15).

Couples: 2
Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3); Andronicus and Junias (v. 7; see the commentaries on why Junias is most likely a female name).

Households: 2
Aristobulus (v. 10); Narcissus (v. 11).

Slaves: 5
From Roman inscriptions, the following names were often those of slaves: Ampliatus (v. 8), Urbanus (v. 9), Hermes (v. 14), Philologus and Julia (v. 15).

Persons of distinction: 2
Aristobulus (v. 10) was possibly the grandson of Herod the Great and friend of the Emperor Claudius. Narcissus (v. 11) was likely a well-known freedman who exercised great influence on Claudius. It is not certain that these famous individuals had become Christians (they were possibly dead at the time of Paul’s writing), but that their families (households) were represented by members of the church. Rufus (v. 13) was possibly the son of Simon the Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross to Golgotha (Mark 15:21).

Fellow Jews: 3
Andronicus and Junias (v. 7); Herodion (v. 11). (There could have been others not designated as such.)

Apostles: 2
The married couple Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Possibly apostles for having seen the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:7); possibly among the Grecian Jews of Acts 6:1 based on their names; were Jewish believers (Paul’s kinsmen and cell-mates, 2 Cor. 11:23) (cf. Bruce, p. 258).
Paul’s descriptives:
Those who worked hard: four women (Mary, v. 6; Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis, v. 12). Fellow workers: Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3); Andronicus and Junias (v. 7; not mentioned as fellow workers, but obviously were based on Paul’s description); Urbanus (v. 9). Dear friends or beloved: Epenetus (v. 5); Ampliatus (v. 8); Stachys (v. 9); Persis (v. 12).

Individuals: 28
Twenty-six are mentioned by name, plus two other individuals not mentioned by name (Rufus’s mother, v. 13; Nereus’s sister, v. 15).

Receiving special note:
Deserved the gratitude of all the churches: Priscilla and Aquila (v. 3). First convert to Christ in Asia: Epenetus (v. 5). Been in prison with Paul: Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Outstanding among the apostles: Andronicus and Junias (v. 7). Tested and approved: Apelles (v. 10). Been like a mother to Paul: Mother of Rufus (v. 13; the wife of Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus? cf. Mark 15:21).

–Taken from Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. p459.

Bibliography

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.
Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Chip, Ingram. R12 Living on the Edge Study Guide: Dare to Experience True Spirituality . New York: Howard Books, 2009.
Bruce, F. F. Romans: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.