Romans 16:22 Meaning: The Scribe Who Greeted You

The Greek word for “greet” here is aspazomai, meaning to draw someone close with warmth, to welcome or salute. It is the same word Paul uses over twenty times in this chapter. But when Tertius uses it, he is not simply passing on Paul’s words. He is speaking for himself. The pronoun “I” (egō) is emphatic in the Greek text, this is his own voice, not a borrowed sentence. And the phrase “in the Lord” (en kuriō) anchors his greeting in the shared life of Christ. The aorist participle grapsas (“having written”) points to the completed task. Tertius did not just copy letters mechanically. He wrote as an act of service, and now he adds his own Christian affection. His words remind us that behind the inspired text there were real hands, real work, and real fellowship.

Christians across traditions have noticed how remarkable this verse is. Matthew Henry saw it as Paul’s gracious way of including his assistant in the fellowship of the letter. The Cambridge Bible notes that the sudden intrusion of the scribe feels strangely real and life-like. Adam Clarke argued that Tertius wrote from dictation, not translation, making him a faithful secretary. Wesley suggested that Paul either encouraged or allowed Tertius to insert the greeting. Though they differ on the details, all agree: this verse lifts the curtain on the human teamwork behind Scripture. Paul was inspired, but he did not work alone.

Some readers assume that because Tertius says “who wrote this epistle,” he was the actual author of Romans. In fact, the Greek grammar and the surrounding context show that Tertius served as Paul’s amanuensis, writing what the apostle dictated. Paul himself signs off in other letters with his own hand (1 Corinthians 16:21). Tertius was the pen, not the composer. His greeting does not claim authorship; it claims fellowship.

Think of the people who help your own words reach others: the editor who cleans up a sentence, the friend who passes on a message, the spouse who listens before you speak. Paul could have dictated the whole letter and never mentioned Tertius. Instead, he let his scribe say hello. This week, look for the Tertius in your life. Thank someone who works behind the scenes. Let them know their service is seen, and that you are glad to be “in the Lord” together.