Romans 16 22

Romans 16:22 kjv

I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

Romans 16:22 nkjv

I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

Romans 16:22 niv

I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

Romans 16:22 esv

I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

Romans 16:22 nlt

I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord's followers.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 22 Meaning

This verse serves as a unique personal interjection within Paul's letter to the Romans. It reveals that Tertius was the amanuensis, or scribe, to whom Paul dictated the entire epistle. His greeting, "in the Lord," signifies a shared spiritual bond and common faith with the Roman believers, expressing Christian fellowship rooted in Christ. It humanizes the letter, demonstrating that divinely inspired scripture was delivered through human instruments who were also part of the broader Christian community.

Romans 16 22 Context

Romans 16 is primarily a chapter of personal greetings, acknowledgements, and final exhortations. Paul meticulously greets numerous individuals, often identifying their service to the gospel or to him personally, indicating his extensive network of relationships within the early Christian community. He also provides final warnings and pronounces a benediction. Within this deeply personal concluding section, Tertius's self-identification and greeting serve to further humanize the authoritative letter. It fits seamlessly into Paul's practice of including fellow workers' greetings, albeit with the unique detail that Tertius is explicitly stated as the scribe of the letter itself, setting him apart from others mentioned. Historically, ancient authors frequently dictated their letters to professional scribes (amanuenses) who would then pen the words onto parchment or papyrus. This practice was practical, especially for long or numerous letters, and provided efficiency for writers like Paul who traveled extensively.

Romans 16 22 Word analysis

• I (Εγὼ - Egō): This is the emphatic first-person singular pronoun. The use of egō here emphasizes Tertius himself. It marks a distinct voice, temporarily stepping out of Paul's dictated message to introduce his own personal greeting. It's not Paul speaking, but Tertius directly.
• Tertius (Τέρτιος - Tertios): A common Roman name, literally meaning "third." We know nothing more about him from Scripture outside this verse, which lends a certain mystery to this significant helper of Paul. His inclusion underlines that even minor figures in the unfolding of God's Word played important roles.
• who wrote (ὁ γράψας - ho grapsas): This is an aorist active participle, "the one having written." It unambiguously identifies Tertius's function as the literal writer or transcriber of the letter, not its author. This clarifies his role as an amanuensis, someone employed to write from dictation. This mechanism of writing, involving human agency for inspired texts, is significant for understanding the biblical process of inspiration.
• this letter (τὴν ἐπιστολὴν - tēn epistolēn): Refers to the Epistle to the Romans, the profound theological work Tertius has just put down on papyrus. This phrase confirms his direct involvement in the physical creation of this part of the New Testament.
• greet you (ἀσπάζομαι ὑμᾶς - aspazomai hymas): A standard Hellenistic formula for expressing a greeting or salutation, wishing health and well-being. Its common usage across cultures provided a familiar social bond. Here, it is directed to the entire Roman Christian community, showcasing Tertius's solidarity with them.
• in the Lord (ἐν Κυρίῳ - en Kyriō): This phrase holds deep theological significance. It's not a casual "hello" but a greeting specifically rooted in shared Christian faith and fellowship. "In the Lord" signifies spiritual union with Christ, participation in the Christian community, and living according to God's will. It transcends mere acquaintance, denoting a greeting based on common identity and purpose in Christ. It underlines that Tertius is not merely Paul’s secretary but a brother in Christ extending a blessing through the Spirit.

Romans 16 22 Bonus section

• The inclusion of Tertius’s greeting by Paul’s allowance highlights a balance of human agency and divine inspiration. While Paul dictated, under the Holy Spirit's guidance, he also provided space for his fellow laborer's personal expression, confirming that God often works through the relational dynamics of His people.
• This verse provides direct internal evidence regarding the use of amanuenses in writing New Testament letters. This practice does not diminish the inspiration or authority of Scripture, as the apostle (Paul) remained the authoritative voice, and the Holy Spirit superintended the entire process, including the scribe's work.
• Tertius's name, meaning "third," suggests he might have been the third child born into his family or perhaps held a numerical order within a household of enslaved people. While his background is unknown, his role here signifies the valued contributions of often unsung individuals in the service of the Gospel.

Romans 16 22 Commentary

Romans 16:22 offers a unique glimpse into the collaborative and human element involved in the production of divinely inspired Scripture. Tertius, the amanuensis, interrupts Paul's flow to inject his own personal greeting, a rare instance in Paul's epistles where the scribe is so directly acknowledged within the letter itself. This seemingly minor detail underscores several profound points: first, it attests to the historical reality of biblical writing, involving real people, with real names, in real roles. The process of inspiration often involved dictation, a common ancient practice, meaning God's truth was given through human instruments who facilitated its recording. Second, Tertius's "greet you in the Lord" highlights the pervasive sense of Christian fellowship that permeated the early church. His greeting, though brief, expresses genuine spiritual solidarity with the Roman believers, affirming his identity not merely as a hired hand but as a brother united with them through Christ. This phrase "in the Lord" signifies a shared life and purpose anchored in their common savior, elevating the greeting beyond a secular pleasantry. It also demonstrates Paul's generous spirit, allowing a helper this personal voice in such a significant letter, and Tertius's boldness, perhaps even humility, in appending his name and greeting to a message of profound theological weight.