“Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (vs16).
The Lord Jesus produces fruit by the gospel that we can see. Paul lovingly commended brethren at Rome, having heard of and seen their faithfulness, so that WORSHIPING Christ produces life results: the doctrine is so believed that it’s practiced, and we live for His glory.
The brethren are commended for two things frequently here: (1) laboring (2) being loved - “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us“, “Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord“, “Greet Urbane, our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved“ (vs6-9). Therefore, we who labor are loved, as we manifest election - “Greet Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine” (vs13).
Junia and Andronicus, “my kinsmen and fellow prisoners”, Paul says, “who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me” (vs7). There is a time element to salvation, so that we’re ELECTED at the same time before the foundation of the world, and yet we come to faith individually in time, so that one part of scripture - election - doesn’t deny another part of scripture - faith and repentance.
This man and woman were so faithful that they were imprisoned, like Paul, though their name is unknown generally. Yet, even unknown saints, like those who help the church in many unknown and barely visible ways, are commended by God and His people. We don’t love the pastors only, but we love all the saints, those well-known, those less-known, and those unknown by name believers - “Greet [or embrace with love] Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobgas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Greet Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (vs14-16).
Greet them all in love, playing no favorites, and never waiting to be loved before you love first.
We don’t receive everyone as saved simply because they’re at the meeting. We’re to note those who cause divisions, who take eyes away from Christ, and who seek to make themselves KNOWN and great, rather than the Savior - “Now I call upon you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned”, the gospel Paul preached to Rome, “and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches (flattery) deceive the hearts of the simple” (vs17-18) They are avoided, because we don’t embrace everyone with a bible: we have SPECIAL love for those who manifestly honor God.
The grace that we need to obey is ours, even as it helped the Roman church - “For your obedience is come abroad unto all. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and harmless concerning evil. And, the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (vs19-20). God will do for us all that we need, and then we’ll conquer Satan eventually. The time SWIFTLY approaches, when we will sin no more, enter into our rest, and see our foe trampled under, as God GIVES us victory over sin completely and Satan is finally made to suffer.
Lastly, don’t think the gospel is word only, so that obedience isn’t important “Now to Him that is of power to establish 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, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, make known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (vs25-27). Believe on the Son of God FOR the love you need to magnify Christ, and know it’s yours in the freeness of grace. Grace will make you faithful, and FAITHFULNESS is evidence of God-taught salvation and wisdom from above.
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