1. The Abundant Community of the Early Church and Paul's Diverse Co-Workers in Romans 16
At first glance, Romans 16 may seem like a mere "appendix" of personal greetings from Paul. However, this chapter is both the conclusion of the great Epistle to the Romans and the decisive presentation of the early Christian community's true nature. When we look carefully at the text, it may appear to repeat a series of greetings from Paul to various individuals, but hidden beneath is the extensive, solid network of the early church-the spirit of co-work formed by love and devotion. Paul had never personally visited the community in Rome, yet he knew it in detail and remembered each person by name. What stands out is the fact that the earliest Christians shared and witnessed to the gospel within a truly "living relationship network."
This chapter mentions about thirty-four names directly. However, according to some scholars, if we include those whose names are not explicitly mentioned, such as the mother of Rufus (Rom 16:13) and the sister of Nereus (Rom 16:15), we can confirm that Paul remembered at least twenty-eight or more believers in the Roman church. Of particular note is that men and women, Jews and Gentiles, nobles or those from royal households, and slaves-all sorts of social strata-were part of this church community together. It was precisely that diversity, inclusivity, and intimate fellowship of love that became the source of the early church's power and, at the same time, the conduit for the gospel to spread throughout the Mediterranean world.
The first person Paul mentions in the opening of the letter (Rom 16:1-2) is Phoebe, a "servant of the church in Cenchrea." He addresses her as "our sister Phoebe" and describes her as having been "a patron of many and of myself as well" (16:2), implying that she provided significant support to Paul both financially and personally. Given that Paul chose her to carry this letter all the way to Rome, it is clear that she was a trustworthy co-worker who could handle active service. Paul makes extensive use of a diverse range of male and female leaders who supported and funded his gospel ministry. He truly honored and elevated such helpers wherever he could.
Other noteworthy figures whom Paul greets include Priscilla and Aquila. They appear frequently in Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 16, and other Pauline letters. They are known for the fact that the wife's name, Priscilla (or Prisca), generally appears before the husband's name, Aquila. Traditionally, this has been interpreted as hinting that Priscilla's spiritual capabilities or her influence within the church might have been greater than her husband's. In any case, they were tentmakers together with Paul, sharing their livelihood, and they were faithful co-workers who risked their lives for him. Paul declares that "they risked their necks for my life" (16:4), expressing gratitude. Their home was also used as a house church (16:5). Scripture records that they moved around to various places, establishing churches and caring for believers. This indicates how central the concept of house churches was in the early church and shows that it expanded not through structures or systems but through "people of love and faith."
Paul refers to "my beloved Epaenetus" (16:5) as "the first convert to Christ in Asia." This indicates that he was the first person who came to faith when Paul preached the gospel in the region of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). The phrase "firstfruits" conveys Paul's special affection and memory. We do not know exactly how Epaenetus ended up in Rome at some point, but the fact that Paul still recalls him and calls him "my beloved" reveals Paul's deep fondness for him.
In addition, several women believers are mentioned, such as Mary (16:6), Andronicus and Junia (16:7), Tryphaena and Tryphosa (16:12), and Persis (16:12). In particular, there has been historical debate about whether Junia (16:7) was a female apostle or a male apostle. Yet the traditional majority opinion suggests that she was likely a woman. Paul says they are "prominent among the apostles." Even under the many constraints facing the early church, women actively participated in church and ministry and were acknowledged as leaders-a significant point.
Meanwhile, we see references that hint at those likely of slave status in Romans 16. Names like "Ampliatus" (16:8) and "Urbanus" (16:9) were commonly used for slaves in the Roman Empire. It is remarkable that Paul refers to them as "my beloved Ampliatus" or "our fellow worker Urbanus," showing that the church community did not discriminate based on social or economic status, but practiced unity as brothers and sisters. This is precisely the ultimate power of the gospel, which tears down every wall through Jesus Christ. In the early church, people from every social class-nobles, royals, slaves, women, Gentiles, Jews-gathered together, all newly united through the gospel.
Paul recalls various names, never forgetting their significance to himself or to the gospel ministry. He mentions some as "my kinsmen" (e.g., 16:7, 16:11, 16:21), implying that he was eager for family evangelism and that his relatives themselves became co-workers in Christ. Spread throughout the churches, these relatives were also part of the expanding gospel network, linking the spread of the gospel closely to everyday life.
Acts 28 describes how, when Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner, believers from the Roman church came out to meet him as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns (Acts 28:15). Upon seeing them, Paul "gave thanks to God and took courage." Here again, a key characteristic of the early church appears. Wherever Paul went, in whatever foreign land, the seeds of the gospel he had sown earlier, and the co-workers who had nurtured that seed together, were already there. Despite risking their own lives, they willingly helped one another and deepened their spiritual bonds. This kind of close solidarity and communal love sustained Paul and countless other workers on the harsh road of mission to the very end.
The entirety of Romans 16 is filled with tender lists of names-and that is no coincidence. It in itself is a message: the gospel is not simply an abstract concept or doctrinal debate; it becomes fully realized within a community in which people support, serve, comfort, and grow together. From the beginning of this epistle, Paul delves into the doctrine of the gospel (chapters 1-11). After exhortations concerning practice (chapters 12-15), in the final chapter (16), he shows how the gospel is concretely expressed "in relationships among people, in the love of co-working, in the unity of one body."
Pastor David Jang has often emphasized that "the gospel Paul proclaimed was not simply theoretical knowledge in the mind; it was alive and real. The greatest power within that gospel was the communal spirit of being united in Christ and serving one another." As verified countless times in church history, God's kingdom does not spread by mere words. If words are all there is-without genuine relationships or commitment-the church quickly loses its vitality. However, if we build people up with warm affection and human warmth as Paul did, remembering each individual by name and rejoicing together, the gospel becomes alive and expands throughout the world.
Today's church often struggles with divisions, wounds, and a lack of communication. The "directory of names" in Romans 16 demonstrates the spiritual vibrancy of the early church and has much to teach us. No matter how hard we speak of the essence of the gospel, if there is no expression of love, solidarity, or voluntary sacrifice in our daily lives, those words will ring empty. Paul's extended list of co-workers, whom he calls by name to commend and greet, shows us that we only become a true church if we verify that we are "one body" in Christ and seek to lift up and rejoice in one another.
Of course, the church inevitably encounters unpleasant issues or figures. Paul recognized that spiritual warfare, splits, and conflicts would accompany any church plant. In Romans 16:17-18, Paul warns, "Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Such people "do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites." This means that even within the community, there were selfish individuals or agitators who engaged in divisive behavior, standing in stark contrast to the spirit of the gospel. To discern such people and protect the entire church, Paul believed that members needed to truly know one another and maintain sincere fellowship. If the church had only superficial fellowship, false comfort, or flattery without genuine knowledge of each other, divisive forces would easily disturb the community.
Hence, Paul exhorts the church to "be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil" (16:19). In other words, stay alert and active in doing good but remain uninterested and distant from evil intent. The early church did not simply pursue numerical growth but aimed for communal unity in goodness and truth, maintaining deep spiritual discernment to ward off evil's infiltration.
Paul declares, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (16:20). Ultimately, those who cause conflict and division in the church are but tools of Satan, yet God will judge them and protect His church. Notably, Paul calls God the "God of peace." Peace here is not just the absence of conflict; it is the comprehensive, proactive rest and safety that Christ's redemptive work provides. Paul believes that this peace will guard the church, instilling the same confidence in us. Regardless of external threats, the church remains under God's sovereign rule and protection.
In the final portion of the chapter (16:21-23), several co-workers with Paul in Corinth send their greetings to the Roman church. Among them are "Timothy, my fellow worker," and some of Paul's kinsmen, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater. Timothy is depicted in Philippians 2 as Paul's "spiritual son," a true co-worker who best understood Paul and could convey his messages. Jason was the man who took Paul in at Thessalonica (Acts 17) and was dragged before the officials when a riot broke out. Sosipater (Sopater) was from Berea, as mentioned in Acts 20, who traveled with Paul's mission team. This again shows how the early church's people, places, and events were intertwined, advancing the gospel together.
A fascinating detail is where we read, "I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord" (16:22). At that time, Paul typically used a secretary (amanuensis) to record his letters rather than writing them himself. For the Epistle to the Romans, Tertius served in that role. Often, those in the church with a gift for writing or the ability to accurately transcribe Paul's dictation took on this task; they did not function merely as scribes but contributed to preserving Paul's epistles, interacting deeply with him. Tertius briefly inserts his name at the end, as if to say, "I, too, had a hand in creating this letter." This also indicates that Paul's ministry was never a "solo effort."
Finally, "Gaius," "Erastus the city treasurer," and "Quartus the brother" also send greetings (16:23). Gaius is the person Paul baptized personally according to 1 Corinthians, and Erastus (mentioned here) is believed to have been a public official overseeing financial affairs in the city of Corinth. The fact that an official of such status joined and served the church is highly significant. It demonstrates that the early church comprised a broad spectrum of backgrounds, from slaves to royalty and government officials, and that the gospel was truly "the power of God" that transcends social barriers.
Consequently, the final section of Romans 16, more than any doctrinal explanation, testifies powerfully to "the importance of community." The gospel changes people, drawing them together, binding them with love, building them up through solidarity. Paul's practice of "knowing their names" and "calling them by name" may seem trivial, but it is not. No one's name should be forgotten in the church community. Calling each other by name means "I remember you," reaffirming "we are siblings in the same Lord" in love's language.
We must ask ourselves if we truly extend such concern, as spiritual family, to the people we meet and fellowship with. Do we have church members who feel isolated because no one ever calls their name or greets them? Are there those in our midst who cause wounds and divisions? The early church's "deep fellowship and the power of co-working" needs to be restored in the modern church. As Paul describes, the church is "one body in Christ," caring for each other, rejoicing together, and weeping together.
2. The Mystery and Power of the Gospel, and the Wisdom of God That Strengthens the Community
At the very end of Romans 16 (especially verses 25-27), we see a sort of doxology in which Paul concludes this great epistle. He declares that this gospel was "kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed" (16:25). This refers to the salvation plan that was foretold in the Old Testament through the Law and the Prophets but was not fully revealed until its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Paul explains that this gospel "has been made known to all nations... according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith" (16:26). In other words, Paul did not "invent" or come up with this story by himself; it was foretold by the prophets through the ages. Within God's eternal providence, He intended that the entire human race would hear and obey. The phrase "all nations" underscores that the gospel is not restricted to the Jews but is also extended to the Gentile world. Indeed, the entire Epistle to the Romans emphasizes that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith, and so the conclusion again elevates that theme to its pinnacle.
Whereas Romans extensively covered "the doctrinal statements of the gospel" earlier (e.g., justification by faith, the contrast between Adam and Christ, the question of Israel's salvation), its final chapter demonstrates how that gospel should concretely manifest itself in real life through human relationships and communal practice. In Romans 16:25-27, Paul clarifies the source of the "power of the gospel" that makes it all possible. He writes, "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel..." asserting that the secret to the church standing firm against division, conflict, and worldly temptations ultimately lies in the gospel itself. While doctrine and theological knowledge are important, it is ultimately the gospel as God's Word that forms the foundation, giving the church its strength.
In the phrase, "to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen" (16:27), Paul provides the concluding line of the entire letter, a final note of praise. God, in His wisdom, fulfilled His long-prepared plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, the heart of which is the incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection. We can say that Paul compresses the entire teaching of Romans into that one sentence.
Reflecting on this, Pastor David Jang has noted, "The Apostle Paul did not merely teach a systematic doctrine. Rather, he believed and proclaimed how the sovereign plan of the all-wise God was revealed in Jesus Christ, bringing about a wondrous mystery and power uniting all nations. And that joy of salvation was very much alive in his actual life and in his network of co-workers. The concluding doxology of Romans 16 expresses that climactic wonder." Indeed, though Paul's life was fraught with persecutions, imprisonments, betrayals, and tribulations, he never lost the joy he found in the gospel's mystery. Because he believed that the gospel did not stop at individual salvation but could strengthen the church community and lead believers to glorify God, he could end the letter with such a majestic note of praise.
When we read Romans 16 and meditate on this final doxology, we should consider "How does God's salvation plan concretely apply to our lives?" Without the gospel, the church community can never stand firm on its own strength, nor can it bring together such a diverse group of people. The gospel is the only power that transforms the sinful, self-centered human heart. Hence, Paul declares to the Roman Christians, "Now to him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel," and yearns for all mankind to believe and obey.
This mystery of revelation determines how we see each other and how we build the church community in our daily lives. Instead of trusting the wisdom or power the world offers, we discover and follow God's will in the power of the cross and the glory of the resurrection. As a result, just as the list of names in Romans 16 shines with significance, the small, everyday names within our own churches should likewise become precious "co-workers of the Lord."
From the introduction of the epistle (1:1-7), Paul shows that although the Roman church was not one of his direct church plants, he does not assert his apostolic authority over them. Rather, he humbly serves as a co-worker bound by the gospel of Christ. Called to be the apostle to the Gentiles, he seeks to strengthen the Roman church. That heart is manifested in the doctrinal teaching at the start of the letter, culminating in this moving personal greeting "remembering each individual by name." Paul's approach reveals how tightly the essence of the gospel is tied to the practice of love.
In today's society, with social media and various online communication tools, messages can be exchanged instantly, but paradoxically, many relationships remain superficial and genuine commitment is declining. Reflecting on the names in Romans 16, we ought to consider carefully: "Do I have any true co-workers in faith whom I really open my heart to and love?" "Am I truly acknowledging and remembering the names of those around me?" Even in our church life, the exhortation to "greet one another" is not merely about offering a formulaic greeting. Paul says, "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (16:16), referring to a cultural expression of intimacy that honored one another as precious. We may not replicate the exact custom in our modern church culture, but we certainly need to recover its spirit-a sincere and respectful attitude in welcoming and honoring others as one family.
Romans 16 sends a clear message:
- A true church community led by the gospel is a living fellowship, transcending barriers of gender, slavery, royalty, Gentiles, and Jews.
- As modeled by Paul, such a community grows by truly caring for one another, calling one another by name, and sharing in one another's trials and joys.
- We must be on guard against those who cause division or harm to believers' faith, employing spiritual discernment to remain "wise to what is good and innocent to what is evil."
- Ultimately, it is the gospel that strengthens the church. This gospel is the "mystery of revelation" planned by God from eternity past and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- Empowered by this gospel, the church exists as a worshiping community that glorifies God.
In numerous sermons on Romans 16, Pastor David Jang often emphasizes, "It is not just that Paul was sociable. The mentioning of so many names is a revelation of the fervent interconnectedness and commitment that the gospel community inherently possesses. The church is people, and these people are children of God, reborn through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we truly know each other's names, we can bear each other's burdens and pray for one another. In Christ, the church is both family and co-worker. In that sense, Romans 16 is no less valuable than the Gospels or the Book of Acts, for it shows us the real-life image of the church."
In practical application today, many churches are structured with various departments or small groups, and yet the individual members often do not know each other well, feeling awkward because even each other's names are unfamiliar. We must not ignore this situation. Especially pastors, elders, and teachers should take the lead in noticing people's real needs, remembering their names, and caring for each member's circumstances. If the church is merely a place where people gather and then disperse-like a religious event venue-then the vibrant energy of true community shown in Romans 16 cannot blossom.
Additionally, to prevent the church from becoming large and impersonal, we need a setting-like the early church's "house church model"-where faith and daily life intermingle. Wherever Priscilla and Aquila went, they opened their home to share the gospel and Paul's teachings. Likewise, our own lives must be open. Of course, we cannot precisely duplicate their practices due to cultural and historical differences, but we can strive to foster small groups or home gatherings that promote mutual prayer and sharing of daily life so that the church becomes a "true family of faith," not just a "religious event space."
Moreover, recalling Paul's mention that the gospel aims for "all nations to believe and obey" (16:26), we realize how inextricably linked the church's communal nature is to its mission. In the early church, the gospel had already spread throughout the Mediterranean, establishing a church in Rome, the center of paganism. Behind that expansion lay the dedication and love of Paul and many others. Their exchanges of greetings, prayers, and spiritual support gave momentum to the gospel's progress. For the church to avoid stagnation and fulfill God's heart for the ends of the earth, it requires a deeper sense of unity and sharing. Pastor David Jang often states that "the church is not a closed space but a community of life open to embracing the world," echoing this same point.
Romans 16 reaffirms that the church's ultimate goal is "to glorify God," and that glory springs from "the mystery of the gospel revealed in Jesus Christ." Those who live by the gospel never forget the names of the people around them. They trust the Holy Spirit's work in bringing together different types of individuals within the church, and they form a community wise in doing good. Such a community carries the great vision of "completing the mission," longing for all nations to hear the gospel and receive salvation. Having presented all his teachings and arguments in the preceding chapters, Paul underscores in Romans 16 how real fellowship grounds his message-a timely challenge for our contemporary church.
If we stay locked in our personal faith, saying, "I'm saved; that's enough," we will miss out on the vast network and communal reality that the gospel ushers in. Paul showed that faith must not remain a personal matter but must permeate everyday life and community. Despite his personal weaknesses-health issues, imprisonment-he persevered for the gospel. He could do so because he had a multitude of co-workers, all bound by genuine love and service. Paul's act of naming so many people demonstrates that the gospel was indeed alive in his ministry.
Nowadays, many "churches" gather, yet members barely know one another, functioning more like "individual attendees" passing through. But the true church, as depicted in Romans 16, is one where people know and love each other, serve in unity under the lordship of Jesus, and declare Him through all aspects of life. Then, "the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages to bring all nations to obedience" (16:26) will spread to new eras and new regions.
Romans 16's ultimate conclusion is this: The gospel is brought to completion within living relationships among people. That gospel strengthens the church (16:25), leads the church to glorify God (16:27), and empowers us to bring positive influence to the world. The promise "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (16:20) affirms that no matter what conflicts or divisions may arise in the church, victory ultimately belongs to God. We must keep our zeal for goodness and love. As we become true brothers and sisters in the gospel, our collective strength extends beyond Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Jerusalem, and Rome-indeed, anywhere in the world.
Our task, then, is to emulate the "joy and devotion of co-working" behind the names Paul mentions: Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus and his mother, the household of Aristobulus, Herodion, those of the family of Narcissus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, among others. Likewise, from Corinth, Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus-each respected for their unique gifts and resources, all working so that the gospel of Jesus Christ might spread and the community be built. This is the most tangible application we can draw from any serious study of Romans 16.
Furthermore, today's ministers, such as Pastor David Jang, strive intensely to revive the dynamic principles of the early church. The more problems arise in the church, and the more skeptical the world becomes toward it, the more we need to learn from the early church. Not merely to say, "Back then, the early church was wonderful," but to act so that we may become "a community that cries and rejoices together." And this begins with very small steps-calling someone by name on Sunday and asking how they are doing, caring for a believer in difficulty, extending hospitality and warmth to new visitors. Those small acts accumulate to recreate the power of the early church, providing the avenue through which the gospel's power is lived out daily.
Romans 16 is thus by no means marginal to understanding Romans. It reveals Paul's deep love for the church and his affection for community, as well as the new dimension of relationships opened by Christ. Even those whose names are unknown can play a vital role in God's gospel story, and royalty and slaves alike may be seamlessly joined together within one "gospel net." Consequently, the exclamation bursts forth: "Now to him who is able to strengthen you... according to the revelation of the mystery... to bring about the obedience of faith... to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (16:25-27). May our churches and personal lives dwell continually in that doxology, remembering each other's names in the gospel, never neglecting relationships, and putting into practice the Pauline attitude. We can trust that such communities will be used to fulfill God's grand vision "that all nations might believe and obey."
