- 1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
- 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
- 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
- 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
- 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
- 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
- 7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
- 8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
- 9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
- 10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.
- 11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
- 12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
- 13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
- 14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
- 15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
- 16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
- 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
- 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
- 19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
- 20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
- 21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
- 22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
- 23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
- 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
- 25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
- 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
- 27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

ROMANS 16
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
Romans 16 — Paul commends Phoebe, honors many fellow workers and house churches, warns against division, and closes with glory to the wise God.
About this illustration
Phoebe’s arrival, Tertius working in the background, and one gathered house church represent the chapter’s many greetings across several households and locations. The document remains closed, and named workers are rendered as a representative community rather than claimed portraits.
Scripture basis: Romans 16:1–27King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence

Erastus Inscription at Corinth
A Latin pavement inscription near Corinth's theater says that an Erastus paved the area at his own expense in return for the aedileship; whether he was Paul's city official remains a valuable but unresolved question.

Cenchreae, the Eastern Harbor of Corinth
Excavated quays, moles, warehouses, waterfront buildings, roads, cemeteries, and submerged structures establish Cenchreae as Roman Corinth’s eastern maritime gateway and the concrete setting of Phoebe’s church in Romans 16.

The Early Purpose-Built Church at Aqaba
A mud-brick basilica at ancient Aila, founded in the late third or early fourth century and abandoned after the AD 363 earthquake, is among the earliest excavated buildings apparently designed from the outset for Christian assembly.

The Lullingstone Roman Villa House-Church
A room above an older cult chamber in the fourth-century Lullingstone villa carried Chi-Rho monograms and praying figures, providing Roman Britain's clearest archaeological example of Christian worship established within an elite household complex.

Papyrus P61: 1 Corinthians 5:1–3 in a Greek Witness
P61, P. Colt 5 from the Nessana excavations, is a late-seventh- or eighth-century Greek papyrus witness to portions of seven Pauline letters, including a damaged subscription to Titus.

Papyrus P118: Romans 15:26–27, 15:32–33, 16:1, 16:4–7, and 16:11–12
Papyrus P118, Cologne inventory 10311, comprises four Greek papyrus fragments from a two-column codex preserving portions of Romans 15:26–27, 15:32–33, 16:1, 16:4–7, and 16:11–12; traditionally dated to the third century, its palaeographic date remains disputed.
View all 7 archaeology resources
Search all related archaeology →Sermons

The Offense of the Older Brother
In “The Offense of the Older Brother,” Kelsey examines the part of Jesus’ prodigal-son parable that is often overlooked: the elder son who remained in his father’s house but resented the restoration of his brother. Working primarily from Luke 15, she argues that outward faithfulness can coexist with anger, comparison, self-righteousness, jealousy, and a graceless heart. The older brother’s refusal to celebrate reveals the danger of evaluating another believer’s restoration, blessing, healing, or calling through personal disappointment rather than the Father’s compassion.

The Great Whore (Part 2)
In The Great Whore (Part 2), Pastor Dean Odle argues that Jesus Christ is sufficient as Savior, high priest, intercessor, and the one mediator between God and humanity. Beginning with his own struggle, weakness, and need for grace, he contrasts biblical faith in Christ's blood with religious systems that, in his view, place Mary, saints, priests, sacraments, images, relics, or church tradition between the believer and Christ. First Timothy 2:5-6, Romans 3 and 5, Exodus 20, and Colossians 2 form the message's principal biblical foundation.

The Great Whore
Pastor Dean Odle presents a Protestant and futurist reading of Revelation 17–18, identifying Mystery Babylon with the Roman Catholic system centered in Rome. He examines doctrine, Marian devotion, papal authority, transubstantiation, ecumenism, and contemplative practices, then calls believers to test every teaching by Scripture and look to Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity.
Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Music

Come Out of Her
A musical call to open Revelation 18, read the chapter in context, and consider its warning.