Bible Study on Romans Session 32

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans;

A Bible Study Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)

Study Guide – May 26, 2020 – Romans 16.6-16 – Homily 31

Prayer before reading of the Holy Scriptures: Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, having conquered sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things which are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory, together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good and life giving Spirit, always now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Commemoration of Saints Listed by St Paul: (** Among the 70 Apostles mentioned in Luke 10.1)

**Epaenetus – July 30 – Bishop of Carthage

**Andronicus – May 17 

**Junia – May 17

**Amplias – October 31 – Bishop of Dyssopolis

**Urbanus – October 31 – Bishop of Macedonia

**Stachys – October 31 – Bishop of Byzantium (1st Bishop of the Patriarchate of Constantinople)

**Apelles – October 31 – Bishop of Heraclea

**Aristobulus – October 31 – Bishop of Britain

**Herodian – April 8  – Bishop of New Patras

**Narcissus – October 31 – Bishop of Athens

**Rufus – April 8 – Bishop of Thebes

**Asyncritus – April 8 – Bishop of Hyrcania

**Phlegon – April 8 – Bishop of Marathon

**Hermas – November 5 – Bishop of Philippopolis

**Patrobas – November 5 – Bishop of Neapolis

**Hermes – April 8 – Bishop of Dalmatia

**Philologus – November 5 – Bishop of Sinope

**Olympas – November 10

Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, Nereus (These could not be identified)

Chapter 16, verses 6-7

  • There is nothing superfluous in the Holy Scriptures. Even a list of names has value for us. SJC “I think that many–even of those who seem to be very eager readers–skip through this part of Paul’s epistle as being superfluous, because it contains no matters of importance. And I think they do this same thing in the case of the genealogy contained in the gospel. The reason is that they think it is only a catalogue of names and that they consider that they will gain no great profit from it.” (Pg 1, #1)
  • Historical Note: Even during Chrysostom’s time people were trying to change the Scriptures. SJC “But some people are so vulgar and low-minded, so foolish and empty-headed, so unworthy of heaven that they consider not only the list of names, but even entire books, such as Leviticus, Joshua, and several others are superfluous and serve no useful purpose. And so it is that many of the simple-minded have rejected the Old Testament. And going forward on the road which follows from this evil habit of mind, they have cut out many portions of the New Testament as well. “ (Pg 1, #6)
  • There is always benefit in reading the Old Testament. SJC “But if someone is a lover of the Christian way of life and a friend of spiritual readings, let him be told that even the things in the Scripture which seem to be insignificant are not put there at random and to no purpose. Even the old laws bring us much profit.” (Pg 2, #7)
  • We can learn simply by studying how St Paul praises others. SJC “It is a very great one and shows the abundant virtue of Epanaetus because Paul considers him his “beloved.” And Paul could not love from a feeling of favor but only from his judgment of virtue.” (Pg 2, #8)
  • “First Fruits” is an assessment of value rather than acknowledgment of simply being “first” to convert. SJC “What Paul means is either that Epanaetus leaped forward before all others and believed in Christ–which is no insignificant praise–or that he showed greater piety than all the others. Therefore, after Paul says: “Who is the first-fruits in Achaia,” he did not stop there, so that you might not suspect he was referring to worldly glory, but he went on to add: “To Christ.”” (Pg 2, #9)
  • Beauty is revealed in our labor. SJC “Let both men and women listen to this. It is not because of their bracelets, or because of their necklaces, or their train of eunuchs and maid-servants, or their gold-embroidered gowns, but because of their labors in behalf of the truth.” (Pg 2, #12)
  • Historical note: Women WERE allowed to teach in the ancient Church, just not IN the Church during services. SJC “In what sense, then, does Paul say: “But I do not allow a woman to teach?” He means to prevent a woman from presiding at the central seat or occupying a chair on the bema, not to keep her from the teaching of the word.” (Pg. 3, #13)
  • Historical note: Women WERE involved in ministry. SJC “For the women of those days were more spirited than lions. With the apostles, they spread abroad the gospel message. And for this purpose they accompanied them on their journeys and also performed all other ministries. And in Christ’s own day he was followed by women “who made provision for the Teacher out of their possessions and served him.” (Pg 3, #16)
  • St Paul’s ‘prison’ was symbolic of his suffering. SJC “But in Paul’s case we can speak of the blizzards of tests and trials that blessed man endured when he was carried off and led around, when he was flogged, shackled, stoned, shipwrecked, with countless people plotting against him.” (Pg 3, #18)
  • St Paul again reveals his great humility by honoring others ahead of himself. SJC “He does not conceal the fact that he came to Christ after they did, and he is not ashamed to admit it. Yet, you need not wonder that he is not ashamed, since he did not beg off from parading before men his former life and calling himself a blasphemer and persecutor. Therefore, because he could not rank them before others on these grounds, he brought out the fact that he himself had come to Christ after the others and noted that they could be praised for this when he said: “Who also were in Christ before me.” (Pg 4, #21)

Chapter 16, verses 8-11

  • Being loved by St Paul was a great praise, because he only loved virtue. SJC “For when Paul loved someone, it was because of his love for God, and his love carried with it countless blessings….For, unless the one he loved were endowed with abundant virtue, he would never have led Paul to love him.” (Pg 4, #22)
  • Approval in Christ is great virtue. SJC “Nothing is like this praise because it is beyond comprehension and offers no chance for blame in matters pertaining to God. For when Paul says: “Who is approved in Christ,” he is giving a list of every virtue.” (Pg 4, #23)
  • St Paul takes the time to praise individuals for their individual honor. SJC “But by stating the praises proper to each, he was making clear to us the virtue which belonged to each individual.” (Pg 4, #25)
  • Clearly some were “less worthy” but still deserved individual praise. SJC “In all probability these were not as worthy as the people he had mentioned before, because he did not mention them all by name. However, he does give them fitting praise because they are believers.” (Pg 5, #26)

Chapter 16, verses 12-16

  • Some were still laboring while others were finished. SJC “And this is no small praise, namely, that they are involved in toils the whole time, not only by working , but even by laboring.” (Pg 5, #27)
  • To avoid slighting anyone, St Paul includes everyone in his praise. SJC “Then, to prevent any jealousy arising from the fact that he addressed some in one way and others in another, some by name and others without distinction or definition, some with greater praises and others with fewer, he again mingles them together in the equality of love and the holy kiss when he says: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (Pg 5, #31)
  • St Paul avoids encouraging envy and/or pride. SJC “Both haughtiness and envy are driven out, since this gesture of peace appeases everyone and makes all equal. And so, Paul not only bids them to greet one another with the kiss of peace, but he also sends to them the greeting of all the churches. For he says: “All the churches of Christ greet you,” not this or that person individually but all of you together.” (Pg 6, #32)
  • Historical note: The Early Church was well connected rather than a series of disconnected communities. SJC “Since some have often raised the question as to why in this epistle Paul has addressed so many people–something that he did not do in any of his other letters–I would say that he does this because he had never yet seen the Romans. However, someone might say that Paul had never seen the Colossians either, and yet may say, Paul had not seen the Colossians either, and yet he did not do anything of this kind in his letter to them. But the Romans were more esteemed than other peoples, and many had moved there from other cities, since it was a safer place and closer to the center of the empire. Since, then, many had moved from a foreign land so as to profit from the great security Rome offered, and since some of them were known to Paul and, when they were with him, had rendered many important services to him, in all likelihood, he commends them to the Romans in this letter. For at that time Paul’s reputation was by no means small.” (Pg 6, #34-35)
  • St Paul’s desire is for all to have a great zeal. SJC “Therefore, to bring them all to a greater zeal, Paul did not hide the praises of any one of them. For when those who do more good things do not receive a greater reward, many become all the more sluggish and listless.” (Pg 7, #39)

Life Application – There will be a specific and individual judgement

  • Not all praise is equal – It is for this reason that even in the kingdom of heaven not all honors will be the same, nor even among the disciples will all be equal. Three of them stood out above the others, but, again, there was considerable difference among these very three. For God is very exact even to the very last. “For star differs from star in glory,” Paul tells us. And yet, all were apostles, all will sit on twelve thrones, all left their possessions, and all were followers of Christ. Still Christ chose three of them. (Pg 7, #40)
  • If there is individual praise, there will be individual judgement – For if all the just will not enjoy the same blessings, if one surpass others even by a little–for Paul says: “Star differs from star in glory”– how will sinners enjoy the same blessings as the just? (Pg 7, #42)
  • Not all judgement is equal – Consider this. Adam sinned and Eve sinned. Both transgressed God’s command, but their sin was not equal. Therefore, their punishment was not equal. (Pg 7, #43)
  • God’s judgement is fair – See with what care and accuracy God examines these deeds. Because of such careful examination, he punished those who were alive at the time of the flood in one way, and the people of Sodom in another. Again, he punished in different ways the Israelites in Babylon and those who lived in the days of Antiochus to show that he keeps a careful account of what we do. He kept those in Babylon in captivity for seventy years. Under Antiochus they were enslaved for four hundred. Those who ate their children also underwent countless other calamities. Still they were not set free in this way from their sins–neither these nor those who were burned alive in Sodom. As Jesus said: “It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city.” If God feels no concern for us whether we commit sin or do what is right, perhaps there might be some reason for saying that there will be no punishment. (Pg 8, #45-46)
  • God is patient – They blame God because oftentimes he is patient and long-suffering, because he so often overlooks those who are impious, licentious, and brutal but do not pay the penalty for their crimes in this world. But, again, if God threatens to punish these sinners in the world to come, these same men are vehement and oppressive in accusing him. However, if God’s threats of punishment hereafter cause them grief and pain, they should accept his threats and marvel at his patience with sinners who are still unpunished in this world. (Pg 8, #47)
  • God desires us to avoid judgement – Therefore, let us not ask where Gehenna is but let us seek out how we may escape from going there. Because God does not punish all sinners in this world, do not lose your belief in things to come on this account. For God loves mankind and he is long- suffering. This is why he threatens us and does not straightway cast us into Gehenna. (Pg 9, #50)
  • Judgement is worse for believers  – When believers live an unclean life, they will, on that account, pay a heavier penalty than unbelievers do. (Pg 9, #55)
  • Judgement is real  – Do not deceive yourselves, my beloved. For if there is no Gehenna, how will the apostles judge the twelve tribes of Israel? Why did Paul say: “Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more worldly things?” How is it that Christ said: “The men of Nineveh will rise up at the Judgment and will condemn this generation?” And, “It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgment. ” Why, then, do you play like a child with matters which are not playthings? Why, sir, do you deceive yourself and cheat your soul with false reasoning? Why do you fight against the loving-kindness of God? (Pg 9-10, #57-58)

Send Off – Persuade your soul to act with divine purpose When you have put all these arguments together, persuade your soul not to act foolishly and without purpose, so that you may not learn by experience the reality of Gehenna. When you have learned self-control from what I have said, you will be able to escape those torments of Gehenna and to obtain the blessings of the future life by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Pg 10, #62)