The Early Church
The greetings in these verses give us some clues about the function and structure of the believers in Rome. It was essentially a series of house churches or small groups. Paul greets “the church that meets at their [Priscilla and Aquila’s] house” (Romans 16:5). Also, in verses 14 and 15, some people are greeted “and all the saints with them,” probably referring to the rest of the people who met in their house church. During the first century, this was the normal form of the church (see 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). It means that Christians met in family-size groups to carry out the ministries described in Romans 15: endurance and encouragement from the Word (15:4), worship (15:6), fellowship (15:5-7), evangelism (15:14-23), and deed ministry (15:25-29).
Priscilla and Aquila
Paul met this outstanding couple in Corinth on his second missionary journey when Claudius commanded all Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:2). Not only were they close associates of Paul in the ministry, but he also reveals how they even risked their own lives for him (probably in Ephesus). Since Priscilla and Aquila ministered to numerous people and in numerous places, all the churches of the Gentiles, along with Paul, are thankful to them. This shows us the relational unity within the church.
They accompanied Paul when he left Corinth (Acts 18:18), but stayed in Ephesus when the group stopped briefly (Acts 18:19). There they discipled Apollos (Acts 18:24-26) and undoubtedly they ministered with Paul during his stay in Ephesus on his third journey. Shortly after that, they must have moved back to Rome and still later returned to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19).
Final Warning
Not everyone was working with Paul for the spreading of the Gospel. There were some who, for selfish reasons, were dividing the churches by teaching false doctrine. Instead of preaching the truth, these men spread their own religious propaganda, using deceit and clever speeches. Paul gives two instructions: mark them (identify them), and avoid them.
How can the false teachers be recognized? Paul gives us two ways here.
First, what they do is “contrary to the teaching you have learned” (Romans 16:17). People may be eloquent and flattering, Paul says (Romans 16:18), but measure what they say against the gospel.
Remember the Bereans of Acts 17, they examined the Scriptures believing it was the final authority (not their own reason and logic or someone’s teaching).
Second, what they aim to do is to serve themselves, not Christ (Romans 16:18). Paul is saying, however fine-sounding the teachers are, seek to discern whether they are in it for themselves, or to give themselves to Christ.
Ponderings and Promptings
What does the gathering of the early church teach us about who the church is and the purpose of its gatherings?
What is the church? What is its purpose? How is it to go about living into that purpose?
What does the life of Priscilla and Aquila show us?
What excuses to we come up with so that we do not open up our lives and homes to others? Share your personal excuses?
Why do you think that Paul gives warnings of false teachers in a small handful of his letters?
What other passages in the New Testament (not just letters written by Paul) give warnings about false teachers? What do we learn from those passages?