Bible Study on Romans Session 33

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans;

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

Study Guide – June 2, 2020 – Romans 16.17-24 – Homily 32

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.

Chapter 16, verses 17-20

  • St Paul gently offers one final exhortation SJC “He does not speak in the manner of a counselor, but he does this in the fashion of a servant, and his words show great respect. He addresses them as brothers and speaks as a suppliant.” (Pg 1, #1)
  • There were some who were leading people astray SJC “That is, to be ever so careful in keeping up their guard and in learning thoroughly and in examining closely. Be on the watch for whom? Tell me that. “For those who cause dissensions and scandals contrary to the doctrine which you have learned.” (Pg 1, #2)
  • Division will destroy the Church SJC “To be torn by dissensions is especially what overturns the Church. This is a weapon of the devil. This turns everything topsy-turvy. For as long as the body is firmly united, the devil has no power to force an entrance. But the stumbling-block comes from division. And from where does this division come? From opinions contrary to the doctrine of the apostles.” (Pg 1, #3)
  • We must turn away from those who work to divide us. SJC “Turn away from them.” For if they are doing what they do from ignorance or error, they need correction. But since they are doing wrong with full knowledge, leap out of their path.” (Pg 1, #5)
  • Both St Paul and the Prophets blame gluttony SJC “Again, when he is ridiculing those who exhibit such boldness, he also gives the reason why they have caused this dissension. For he says: “For such men do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites.” And he said this also in his letter to the Philippians: “Their God is their belly.” Here, I think, Paul is hinting at the Jews, because it is his constant practice to accuse them of being gluttons. Indeed, in his letter to Titus, he said that they were “Evil beasts and lazy gluttons.” And Christ accuses them of this when he said: “You devour the houses of widows.” The prophets, too, make these same accusations. “My beloved [Israel] grew fat and kicked, became thick and broad.”
  • “ (Pg 2, #6-7)
  • The deceivers used flattery to gain the people’s trust SJC “For Paul says: “By smooth words they deceive the hearts of the simple.” And he did well to speak of “smooth words.” For their attention reaches only to the words they speak, but their intention goes much deeper, because it is filled with deceit.” (Pg 2, #8)
  • St Paul believed the Romans (and therefore us too) could rid themselves of evil. SJC “For the God who rejoices in peace will destroy whatever destroys that peace….And not only those who put to work these destructive forces, but also Satan, their commander-in-chief.” (Pg 2, #11)
  • Prayer and works go together SJC “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” There you have the strongest of weapons, an impregnable wall, an unshakable tower. For Paul has reminded them of grace, so that he may make them more ready and willing. For if you have been set free from far greater difficulties and set free by grace alone, all the more will you be set free from lesser ills, since you have become friends of God and have contributed your fair share. See how Paul does not talk about prayer apart from works, or about works apart from prayer. After testifying to their obedience, Paul then offered up a prayer in their behalf, to show that we need both, namely, what we do on our own part and what God does on his part, if we are going to be perfectly saved.” (Pg 3, #12-13)

Chapter 16, verses 21-24

  • More greetings reveal great piety and virtue. SJC “For Paul does not mention his relatives without further comment unless they were like himself in the matter of piety….And this was no slight encomium, namely, to be Paul’s secretary….Do you see the sort of crown Paul has woven for his host by testifying to his great hospitality and for gathering the whole church into his house? Paul calls him a host here because he received guests. However, when you hear that he was Paul’s host, do not praise him only for his hospitality, but also for his life of perfection.” (Pg 3, #14, 15, 16)
  • Even city officials became believers. SJC “Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus also send you greetings.” Paul did not say “the city treasurer” without a reason. When he wrote to the Philippians he said: “Those of Caesar’s household send you greetings,” and he did this to point out that preaching the message had gotten a hold on important people. So, too, in this verse, he mentions the rank of Erastus to prove the same thing. He is also showing that neither riches nor cares of state nor any other such thing prove to be a hindrance for the man who heeds the message.” (Pg 3, #17)
  • The grace of God is our beginning and our ending. (Both for the Epistle and our life) SJC ““The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Do you see from what source we must begin and end our every action? Surely, it was from this source that Paul laid the foundation for his epistle, and from this same source did he roof it over. For at the same time he invokes for them the mother of all blessings and recalls to their minds Christ’s every kindness. This is especially the mark of a noble teacher, namely, that he benefits his disciples not only by his words, but also by his prayers. This is why the apostles said: “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Pg 4, #18)

Homage to Saint Paul

Send Off – Be Like Saint Paul Let us ponder on all this and take a noble stand. Paul was a human being. He shared with us the same nature. He had everything else in common with us. But since he manifested such abundant love for Christ, he went up above the heavens and stood with the angels. So, then, if we shall be willing to rouse ourselves a little and kindle that fire in ourselves, we will be able to emulate that holy man. For if this were not possible, he would never have cried aloud and said: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Therefore, let us not only marvel at him, let us not only be struck with wonder at him, but let us also imitate him. Let us do this so that, when we depart this life, we may be deemed worthy of seeing him and of sharing in his ineffable glory. May it come to pass that we all attain to this by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom be to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, glory, power, and honor now and forever, world without end. Amen. (Pg 7, #42-43)