Romans 16:22 (KJV)

What does Romans 16:22 mean?

Romans 16:22 shows that Tertius, the person who physically wrote down the letter to the Romans, sends his own greeting to the readers as well. This verse is a brief personal note from the scribe who helped Paul by writing out his words.

Tertius was acting as a secretary, writing down Paul’s message to the Christians in Rome. Here, he steps out of the background to greet the church himself, which was a common courtesy in ancient letter writing. This small detail highlights the teamwork involved in creating the letter and gives a glimpse into the real people behind the biblical text.

The Greek behind Romans 16:22

• Τέρτιος (Tertios, “Tertius”): This is the name of the scribe. Including his own greeting shows that he was present and personally invested in the letter’s message.
• ἔγραψα (egrapsa, “wrote”): This word means “I wrote.” It makes clear that Tertius was the one who physically wrote the letter, even though Paul was the author.
• ἐπιστολήν (epistolēn, “epistle”): This is the Greek word for “letter.” It reminds the reader that Romans was a real letter sent to real people, not just a theological treatise.
• ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai, “salute”): This word means “greet” or “send greetings.” It was a warm, friendly way to acknowledge the recipients.

Why Romans 16:22 matters

• Romans 16:22 reminds readers that Paul often used a secretary (an amanuensis) to write his letters, which was a normal practice in the ancient world.
• The verse gives a personal touch, showing that more than one person was involved in the letter’s creation and delivery.
• This greeting from Tertius adds authenticity and humanity to the letter, connecting the readers not just to Paul but to the wider circle of early Christians.