I know that was a long list of names, but it makes a powerful point. In every area of life, we’re surrounded by people who look different, think differently, and speak in ways that may not be like us—and that diversity makes us stronger. It reminds me of my time as a tank company commander in Germany years ago. My officers and senior non-commissioned officers came from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and military experiences. I quickly learned that, as a team, we were unstoppable. I made it a point to seek their input regularly—whether we were planning field exercises, gunnery drills, or even the next company party. And wow—time and time again, I was amazed by how much better things turned out when we worked together. The energy, focus, and creativity of the whole group far exceeded what my small circle of officers could have done alone. The results spoke for themselves: we earned the highest gunnery scores in the brigade, excelled in field exercises, and had exceptional morale and esprit de corps.
SO how does that connect with these verses? If you’ve ever skimmed over Romans 16, you’re not alone. At first glance, it looks like a kind of ancient church directory. But look closer, and you’ll see something powerful: Paul is showing us what the Church was always meant to be. This list is more than greetings. It’s a snapshot of a church that was diverse, unified, and on mission together. There are Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor, leaders and servants. Some hosted churches in their homes; others worked behind the scenes. Some were longtime believers; others had once been imprisoned. Paul calls them co-workers, beloved friends, and faithful servants—not based on their backgrounds, but on their shared commitment to Christ. In a world divided by class, race, gender, and status, the Roman church stood out. Not because they were all the same, but because they were all in Christ.
Paul doesn’t just preach unity—he practices it. He names names. He honors individuals. He doesn’t highlight sameness but celebrates the beauty of diversity joined together by faith. This is what it means to go forth under Christ - Not alone. Not in competition. But arm in arm, side by side, bound by something greater than personal preference: the gospel. And this matters deeply today. In a world where division is often louder than unity, the Church has the opportunity to reflect something radically different. A family that is multi-ethnic, multi-gifted, multi-generational—and deeply united. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means we bring our differences to the table, but we eat together. We bring our gifts, our cultures, our stories, and we lay them at the feet of Jesus—not to erase them, but to let Him weave them into something more beautiful than any of us could build alone.
And here’s what’s amazing: the unity Paul writes about didn’t come from a shared background. It came from a shared Savior.
Whether you’ve been in church your whole life or are just starting to explore faith, this truth applies to you: there is a place for you in God’s family. Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you’re like everyone else. But because Jesus made a way for all of us—together. Romans 16 isn’t just the end of a letter. It’s the picture of a movement—a movement of ordinary people, from all walks of life, united in Christ and committed to each other. That’s the kind of church God is still building today. And that’s the kind of life we’re invited into.
Reflection Questions:
Here are some questions to reflect on as we look at these verses and the rest of Romans 16:
I know that was a long list of names, but it makes a powerful point. In every area of life, we’re surrounded by people who look different, think differently, and speak in ways that may not be like us—and that diversity makes us stronger. It reminds me of my time as a tank company commander in Germany years ago. My officers and senior non-commissioned officers came from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and military experiences. I quickly learned that, as a team, we were unstoppable. I made it a point to seek their input regularly—whether we were planning field exercises, gunnery drills, or even the next company party. And wow—time and time again, I was amazed by how much better things turned out when we worked together. The energy, focus, and creativity of the whole group far exceeded what my small circle of officers could have done alone. The results spoke for themselves: we earned the highest gunnery scores in the brigade, excelled in field exercises, and had exceptional morale and esprit de corps.
SO how does that connect with these verses? If you’ve ever skimmed over Romans 16, you’re not alone. At first glance, it looks like a kind of ancient church directory. But look closer, and you’ll see something powerful: Paul is showing us what the Church was always meant to be. This list is more than greetings. It’s a snapshot of a church that was diverse, unified, and on mission together. There are Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor, leaders and servants. Some hosted churches in their homes; others worked behind the scenes. Some were longtime believers; others had once been imprisoned. Paul calls them co-workers, beloved friends, and faithful servants—not based on their backgrounds, but on their shared commitment to Christ. In a world divided by class, race, gender, and status, the Roman church stood out. Not because they were all the same, but because they were all in Christ.
Paul doesn’t just preach unity—he practices it. He names names. He honors individuals. He doesn’t highlight sameness but celebrates the beauty of diversity joined together by faith. This is what it means to go forth under Christ - Not alone. Not in competition. But arm in arm, side by side, bound by something greater than personal preference: the gospel. And this matters deeply today. In a world where division is often louder than unity, the Church has the opportunity to reflect something radically different. A family that is multi-ethnic, multi-gifted, multi-generational—and deeply united. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means we bring our differences to the table, but we eat together. We bring our gifts, our cultures, our stories, and we lay them at the feet of Jesus—not to erase them, but to let Him weave them into something more beautiful than any of us could build alone.
And here’s what’s amazing: the unity Paul writes about didn’t come from a shared background. It came from a shared Savior.
Whether you’ve been in church your whole life or are just starting to explore faith, this truth applies to you: there is a place for you in God’s family. Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you’re like everyone else. But because Jesus made a way for all of us—together. Romans 16 isn’t just the end of a letter. It’s the picture of a movement—a movement of ordinary people, from all walks of life, united in Christ and committed to each other. That’s the kind of church God is still building today. And that’s the kind of life we’re invited into.
Reflection Questions:
Here are some questions to reflect on as we look at these verses and the rest of Romans 16:
God, thank You for the beauty of Your Church—so diverse, yet so united in Christ. Help me to see others the way You see them: not as competition or outsiders, but as fellow members of the same body. Break down any pride or fear in me that keeps me from embracing the full family of God. Teach me to value differences as gifts, not threats. And whether I lead, serve, speak, or listen, help me go forth under Christ—walking in humility, unity, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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