In a book primarily aimed at encouraging the unity of the church, it is not surprising that, as Paul concludes his letter, he mentions the names of friends both in Rome and around the world, exchanging greetings with the church.
Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.
I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you (Romans 16.21-23).
Jesus emphasized the two greatest commandments, which summarize God’s will for humanity.
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
One author has noted that loving God is easy because He has the best personality and is the wisest and most loving being of all. Loving other people, however, is more challenging.
Yet, we demonstrate our love for God through how we express love toward others. The mention of Paul’s friends reflects the kind of love that is directed both toward God and toward one another.
A Prayer of Blessing
When Paul thinks of the church in Rome and his friends across the Mediterranean, he is filled with gratitude and offers prayers for God’s blessing upon them.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen (Romans 16.24).
I recently watched a YouTube video by Dallas Willard (link below). In the video, Willard discusses using the prayer that God gave to Aaron as a blessing for others to pray.
This is the Aaronic blessing:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
Willard suggests that blessing someone involves more than just a quick “God bless you.”
Using Aaron as our example, we should look the person in the eye and ask the Lord to convey His blessing upon them. We pray for God’s protection and for His face to shine upon them.
When Willard reflects on God’s face shining on us, he likens it to a grandparent’s face lighting up with joy when they see their grandchildren doing something well.
We also pray for God to be gracious to them, to pay attention to them, and to grant them peace. This is a beautiful way to extend a blessing to others.
Blessing God
Paul not only offers a blessing for the church, but he also prays a blessing for God. What’s interesting about Paul’s prayers is that, while they praise God, they also convey theological truths.
It is fitting that he concludes this letter with both praise to God and a reminder of the theological truths he has shared.
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
But is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 16.25-27).
The church, both then and now, needs to be strengthened. Paul affirms that God is able to strengthen believers through the truth of the gospel.
In the opening of his letter to the Romans, Paul declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1.16).
Throughout the letter, he unfolds God’s revelation—His plan that began with Abraham and was fulfilled through the crucifixion, resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now, Jews and Gentiles are united in giving praise to the only wise God, who is worthy of glory forever and ever.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 