Romans 16:22 Commentary: Study: Tertius the Scribe Greets the Church

In the ancient Mediterranean world, letter-writing by dictation to a scribe was standard practice. Secretaries often wrote on wax tablets or papyrus, then produced a clean copy. Paul regularly employed such help. In 1 Corinthians 16:21 he writes, “This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand,” indicating that the rest was dictated. So too in Galatians 6:11 he calls attention to the “large letters” he writes personally. Colossians 3:17, while not about the letter itself, echoes Paul’s concern that all be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” which parallels Tertius’s “in the Lord.”

Tertius bears a Latin name meaning “third,” a common Roman practice for birth order (like Secundus, Quartus). This suggests he may have been a Roman by birth or a freedman, personally known to the Roman church. Some early commentators, as noted by Gill and Lange, identified Tertius with Silas, since the Hebrew word for “third” is related to the name Silas. But most modern scholars reject that, as Clarke argues, because Paul consistently calls Silas by his Greek name elsewhere.

The setting of this greeting is the close of a long letter. Paul has just sent greetings from Timothy and others (v.21), and Tertius adds his own voice before Paul’s final blessing. The Cambridge Bible calls this a “sudden interposition” that makes the scene feel real. G. Campbell Morgan (reflected in the scholarly background) notes that the multiple greetings show the network of believers united in Christ. This verse pulls back the curtain on the human means God used to produce Scripture, a collaborative task involving apostles, scribes, and the local church.

The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants in Romans 16:22. The verse appears in all major manuscripts, and its wording is consistent across the tradition. There is no debate about its inclusion in the canon.

Early church fathers such as Origen and Chrysostom remarked on Paul's use of an amanuensis, seeing it as a sign of humility. During the Reformation, commentators emphasized the human instrumentality, noting that Tertius’s greeting showed Paul did not write alone. Modern scholarship has focused on the historical context of letter-writing and the role of scribes, often using this verse to discuss the human element of inspiration. Tertius has been venerated in some traditions as one of the Seventy Disciples, though this identification is widely considered legendary. The verse appears in sermons on the value of behind-the-scenes ministry and in discussions of the collaborative nature of the New Testament writings.

Three-point outline

1. The Scribe’s Service: Tertius’s role as a writer for Paul shows that every part of the body of Christ, even behind-the-scenes work, is valuable. He does not preach or teach, but his hands form the words that change history.
2. The Fellowship of the Lord: Tertius greets “in the Lord,” placing his personal relationship with the Romans in the context of their shared faith. This greeting is not a mere courtesy but an expression of spiritual family.
3. The Human Element of Scripture: God uses human instruments to communicate His word. This affirms our own service in writing, teaching, and passing on the gospel, we are coworkers with God.

Five-point outline

1. The Humility of Tertius: He does not add his own teaching or correction, only a greeting. He models how to serve without seeking the spotlight.
2. The Authenticity of the Letter: The personal touch of a named scribe adds to the letter’s historical credibility, showing real people at work.
3. Collaboration in Ministry: Paul did not work alone but relied on others. This challenges any notion of the “lone ranger” Christian.
4. The Value of Hidden Roles: Most of the names in Romans 16 are unknown to history, yet they are recorded in heaven. Tertius reminds us that God sees every faithful act.
5. “In the Lord” as Our Sphere: All our work, whether prominent or obscure, is done in the Lord. That changes both its meaning and its reward.

Illustration hooks

• A pastor’s assistant who types up the sermon notes but never preaches, yet without them the sermon would not exist.
• A translator working on a missionary’s letter to supporters, making it accessible in another language.
• A choir member who sings every week but is never the soloist, yet their voice is essential to the whole.

Questions your congregation is asking

• Does Tertius’s role mean Paul didn’t write Romans himself? How does inspiration work with a scribe?
• Why would God include such a small, personal detail in Scripture? What does it teach us?
• How does this verse affect the doctrine of biblical inerrancy or authorship?

Romans 16:22 offers a rare glimpse into the process behind the New Testament. We see not only Paul the apostle but Tertius the scribe, a man whose name would otherwise be forgotten. This verse reminds us that God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

Discussion questions

1. Who was Tertius and what can we infer about his relationship with Paul and the Roman Christians from this verse?
2. What does the phrase “in the Lord” add to the greeting? How does it differ from a secular greeting?
3. How does knowing that Paul used a scribe affect your understanding of biblical inspiration? Does it diminish or enhance your confidence in Scripture?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 16:21, Galatians 6:11, and Colossians 3:17. What do these verses tell us about Paul’s writing habits and his view of collaboration?
5. Tertius interrupts Paul’s flow to insert his own greeting. What does this say about the relationship between Paul and his co-workers? Was Paul a controlling leader or a team-builder?
6. In what ways do you serve behind the scenes in your church or workplace? How can this verse encourage you to continue faithfully?
7. How can the example of Tertius shape our view of collaboration in ministry today? What would change if we all thought of ourselves as “scribes” for the Lord?