Romans 16:22
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Romans 16:22
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The beauty here is in Tertius's personal addition—he wasn't just Paul's scribe, but a fellow believer adding his own warm greeting "in the Lord." This small, unscripted moment highlights the intimate, personal relationships that marked the early church, even in formal correspondence.
As Paul’s letter to the Romans draws to a close, he includes several personal greetings from his companions, and here, his amanuensis, Tertius, inserts his own greeting. This intimate interjection reminds readers that this profound theological letter was a product of real people, written down by someone serving Paul’s ministry directly. After Tertius's brief personal note, Paul resumes, concluding the letter with a powerful doxology and final instructions.
Ever notice how a handwritten note feels more special than a printed one? In Romans 16, we get a peek behind the scenes of how Paul's letters were written, and it's more personal than you might think.
Paul often used a scribe, an 'amanuensis,' to write his letters. This verse introduces Tertius, the man who actually penned the words of Romans. Imagine him sitting there, dipping his quill, as Paul's powerful thoughts flowed through him.
It was common practice for Paul to dictate his letters, and Tertius likely wrote directly from his words. This practice wasn't just about efficiency; it seems Paul intentionally allowed his scribes to add their own greetings. It was a way to show genuine care and to make the communication feel more personal, not just a decree from afar, but a message from a community of believers, including those who helped carry the word.
What does it really mean to greet someone 'in the Lord'? It's more than just a friendly sign-off; it speaks to the very core of Christian fellowship.
When Tertius says he greets them 'in the Lord,' he's not just offering a polite closing. This phrase points to the deep spiritual connection that binds believers together.
It means his greeting comes from a place of shared faith and union with Christ. It's a wish for their spiritual well-being, their continued growth in Christ, and their experience of God's grace. This isn't just a casual hello; it's an invocation of God's presence and blessing within their community.
The casual insertion of Tertius's greeting highlights the personal nature of early Christian correspondence, where scribes were not mere tools but participants in the fellowship being expressed.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Dictates Romans in Corinth
The Apostle Paul, likely while a guest of Gaius in Corinth, dictated the Epistle to the Romans to his scribe, Tertius.
c. AD 57
Tertius Adds Personal Greeting
Tertius, the amanuensis, unexpectedly inserts his own greeting to the Roman church, demonstrating genuine Christian fellowship.
c. AD 57
Phebe Delivers the Letter
Paul entrusts the letter to Phebe, a deaconess from Corinth, who travels to Rome to deliver it and assist the Roman church.
c. AD 62
Paul's Imprisonment
Later, Paul is imprisoned, likely in Rome, which influences the style of his subsequent letters, often requiring scribes.
This verse shows Paul's custom of adding his own personal greeting at the end of his letters, similar to Tertius inserting his own greeting here.
Galatians 6:11Paul mentions writing with his own hand in large letters, highlighting that letter-writing was a significant act, often involving others like Tertius as scribes.
Colossians 4:18This verse demonstrates Paul's practice of concluding his epistles with a personal greeting written by his own hand, reinforcing the idea that Tertius served as an amanuensis for the main body of the letter.
2 Thessalonians 3:17Paul states that he signs his letters with his own hand as a distinguishing mark, further illustrating the common practice of using scribes for dictation and the apostle's personal touch at the end.
Philemon 1:23-24These verses show Paul sending greetings from fellow workers, similar to how Tertius, a fellow worker, inserts his own greeting into the letter.
gillRomans 16:22: "I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord."
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle,.... This name is a Latin one, and perhaps the person might be a Roman, for the names Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, &c. were common with the Romans; unless it may be thought, as it is by some, that this man was the same with Silas, who was a constant companion of the apostle; and the Hebrew word is the same as Tertius; he also is numbered among the seventy disciples, and said to b…
clarkeRomans 16:22: "I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord."
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle - Some eminent commentators suppose Tertius to be the same with Silas - the companion of St. Paul. If this were so, it is strange that the name which is generally given him elsewhere in Scripture should not be used in this place. I have already noticed (Preface) that some learned men have supposed that St. Paul wrote this epistle in Syriac, and that Tertius translated it into Greek; but…
The beauty here is in Tertius's personal addition—he wasn't just Paul's scribe, but a fellow believer adding his own warm greeting "in the Lord." This small, unscripted moment highlights the intimate, personal relationships that marked the early church, even in formal correspondence.
As Paul’s letter to the Romans draws to a close, he includes several personal greetings from his companions, and here, his amanuensis, Tertius, inserts his own greeting. This intimate interjection reminds readers that this profound theological letter was a product of real people, written down by someone serving Paul’s ministry directly. After Tertius's brief personal note, Paul resumes, concluding the letter with a powerful doxology and final instructions.
As Paul’s letter to the Romans draws to a close, he includes several personal greetings from his companions, and here, his amanuensis, Tertius, inserts his own greeting. This intimate interjection reminds readers that this profound theological letter was a product of real people, written down by someone serving Paul’s ministry directly. After Tertius's brief personal note, Paul resumes, concluding the letter with a powerful doxology and final instructions.
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"I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord." — The beauty here is in Tertius's personal addition—he wasn't just Paul's scribe, but a fellow believer adding his own warm greeting "in the Lord." This small, unscripted moment highlights the intimate…