Paul has concluded his letter to the Roman church with an extensive list of personal greetings to various believers in Rome, commending their faith and service. He has mentioned numerous co-workers, including Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, and many others who have labored alongside him in ministry. After these warm personal acknowledgments, Paul transitions to final warnings and instructions before closing his epistle. Throughout the letter, he has systematically presented the gospel message, addressed theological concerns about justification by faith, discussed the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan, and provided practical guidance for Christian living. Now, as he approaches the end of this comprehensive theological work, Paul prepares to offer concluding exhortations and a final doxology. Paul is addressing the believers in Rome.
[17] Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [18] For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. [19] For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. [20] And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
[21] Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
[22] I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
[23] Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. [24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
[25] Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began [26] but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— [27] to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Jesus has just fed four thousand people with seven loaves and a few fish in the region of Magadan, following his healing of many who were lame, blind, crippled, and mute. This second miraculous feeding occurs after Jesus had withdrawn to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where he healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman, and then returned through the Decapolis where he healed a deaf man with a speech impediment. The feeding of the four thousand demonstrates Jesus's continued compassion for the crowds who had been with him for three days without food. Prior to these events, Jesus had been in conflict with the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem who criticized his disciples for not following the tradition of ceremonial hand-washing, prompting Jesus to teach about true defilement coming from the heart rather than from external practices.
[39] And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.
[1] Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. [2] He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘ It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; [3] and in the morning, ‘ It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. [4] A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
[5] Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. [6] Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”
[7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”
[8] But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? [9] Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? [10] Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? [11] How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?— but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [12] Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.