Companions, the 16:24 grace, and the doxology (Romans 16:21–27)
Says Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater send greetings (16:21, BSB). “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord” (16:22, BSB). Gaius “has hosted me and all the church,” and Erastus is “the city treasurer” (16:23, BSB). The printed Greek then has a grace, with Amen, as 16:24: Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. BSB has no 16:24.
Implies Tertius is the amanuensis, and the greeting is in his own name. The verse does not say how much wording he chose.
Uncertain Identifying Erastus with a Corinthian inscription (Kent, Corinth VIII.3, no. 232) or with Acts 19:22, and this Gaius with other men of that name, is not settled. No lean is taken here.
Says BSB and several major editions print a doxology as 16:25–27, that God can strengthen them “by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past” (16:25, BSB), now made known “in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith” (16:26, BSB). “to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen” (16:27, BSB). The printed SBLGNT text does not include those verses.
Implies Those phrases resume Rom 1:5 and Rom 11:25.
Uncertain Placement of the doxology, and whether chapter 16 first belonged to another letter, is not settled. The doxology is not treated as absent from Romans. No lean is taken here.
Claims
- SaysCompanions send greetings, including Tertius, who wrote the letter, Gaius the host, and Erastus the city steward. The printed Greek has a grace, with Amen, as 16:24; BSB has no 16:24.
- ImpliesTertius is the amanuensis, and the greeting is in his own name; the verse does not measure how much wording he chose.
- UncertainIdentifying Erastus with the Corinthian inscription (Kent, Corinth VIII.3, no. 232) or with Acts 19:22, and this Gaius with other men of that name, is not settled. No lean is taken.
- SaysBSB and several major editions print a doxology as 16:25–27; the printed SBLGNT text does not include those verses.
- Implies“the obedience that comes from faith” (16:26, BSB) resumes 1:5, and “the mystery” (16:25, BSB) resumes 11:25.
- UncertainPlacement of the doxology, and whether chapter 16 first belonged to another letter, is not settled. The doxology is not treated as absent. No lean is taken.
Citations
- BSB public domain Rom 16:21–23, 25–27
- SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Rom 16:21–24
- Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. ξένος, οἰκονόμος
- Tischendorf⁸ public domain vol. 2, pp. 455–457 (16:24; 16:25–27)
- 🔒︎ Kent, Corinth VIII.3 Copyrighted Corinth VIII.3, no. 232
2026-11-10
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