Romans Chapter 16 Vs. 21

Final Instructions and Greetings

Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. Rom 16:21

Timotheus my workfellow... He called Timothy (2Cor. 1:1; 1Tim. 1:2, 1:18; 6:20; 2Tim. 1:2; Phlm. 1:1: 1; Heb. 13:23). Converted by Paul on his first trip (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a good Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from here on (Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1Cor. 4:17; Phlp. 2:19). On a mission (Heb. 13:23). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians. He had the gifts of the Spirit (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). He was a great student of Scripture (2Tim. 1:5; 2:15; 3:15).

Timothy, is so close to Paul that Paul calls him his son. He is not his son in the flesh, but in the spirit.

and Lucius,... Probably the one in Acts 13:1, or it could be Luke the evangelist and the writer of Luke and Acts.

Acts 13:1 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simian that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”

We see here the connection between Paul (Saul), and Lucius. Lucius was a native of Cyrene, one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch who participated in Paul and Barnabas’ commissioning.

Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.”

and Jason,... Unknown, unless it is the same as in Acts 17:5, 17:7. Jason means “healing”. He was from Thessalonica and was one of the first converts there. He evidently let Paul stay in his home for a short time before Paul and Silas were sent to Berea.

and Sosipater, my... May be the same as in Acts 20:4. The third time Paul refers to kinsmen (Rom. 16:7, 16:11). Sosipater means “saved of his father”. He was a Berean who joined other believers in meeting Paul at Troas after the apostle left Ephesus.

These few verses contain personal greetings from some of Paul’s associates: first, Timothy, my fellow worker, and then Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives. Once again these men were not members of Paul’s family, but fellow countrymen (cf. Rom. 16:7, 16:10). These may be the men of the same names mentioned elsewhere (Acts 13:1; 17:5-9; 20:4; cf. 2Cor. 9:4).