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"I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle..."

Text: Romans 16:22

THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

The authorship of the epistle to the Romans is unquestionable! The following internal features establish Pauline authorship of Romans:-

1. Declaration at the commencement of the Epistle

Paul identifies himself as the author by putting his name down, at the very beginning of his epistle (Cf. Romans 1:1).

2. The use of the first person pronoun (singular)

This is most noticeable (Cf. Romans 9:1; 10:1; 11:1; 12:1) etc!

3. The manner of writing

The following traits are typically Pauline:-

a) Great theological knowledge and skill.

b) Obvious and deep spiritual insight.

c) Great energy and vigour.

d) Strong reference to the ministry to the Gentiles.

e) A stout sense of love for the Jews.

f) Strongly Christological.

THE USE OF AN AMANUENSIS

How then may we interpret the following text? Who was Tertius?

“I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord”
Romans 16:22

1. He would be known as an amanuensis.

2. His training would be that of a skilled scribe who writes on behalf of another person.

3. He would technically be right to say that he was the one who “wrote this epistle”.
But he did not say that he was the author or originator of the Gospel.

4. It would be outright plagiarism if he claimed authorship!