Romans 16:22 – The Man in the Margins

Episode Overview

In this episode of Verses We Missed, host Steve Webb reflects on Romans 16:22 and the overlooked figure of Tertius, the scribe who physically wrote Paul’s letter to the Romans. Through historical context, biblical insight, and personal reflection, the episode explores how God values faithful, unseen service and reminds listeners that work done in the margins is never invisible to Him.

What This Episode Explores

At the very end of the book of Romans, a single sentence allows a quiet figure to step briefly into the light. Tertius, the man holding the pen, speaks once and then disappears. This episode slows down to consider who he was, why his name mattered, and what his presence reveals about the gospel Paul preached and practiced.

Why This Matters Today

Many believers live and serve in unseen places, faithfully supporting the work of God without recognition or applause. This episode connects Tertius’ story to modern life, offering encouragement to those who feel overlooked and reminding listeners that God sees the work done in the margins and values the hands that make His Word known.

We explore the historical setting in which the letter to the Romans was written, imagining the winter months Paul spent in Corinth and the cramped room where a professional scribe carefully captured every word. Tertius was not merely taking dictation. He was the first person to hear Romans spoken aloud, the first to process its arguments about grace, justification, and redemption. Before the letter ever reached Rome, it passed through his ears, his hands, and his faithful endurance.

The name Tertius itself tells us something about his place in the world. In Roman society, names like this often reflected status, not identity. Tertius means “third,” likely marking him as a slave or former slave. In most ancient documents, scribes remained invisible. Yet Paul pauses and invites him to speak. In doing so, Paul quietly lives out the gospel he has just spent sixteen chapters proclaiming. In Christ, the unseen are seen, the nameless are named, and the quiet labor matters.

This episode also includes a personal reflection on my late father-in-law, Rip, a man whose life embodied this kind of faithful service. He was always present, always willing, and almost always behind the scenes. His story reminds us that God does not measure significance the way we do. He sees the ink-stained hands. He sees the scaffolding. And He remembers the names written in the margins.

Verse We Missed

Romans 16:22 – “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

You can read the full passage here:
Romans 16 (NIV) on BibleGateway.

Value for Value

Verses We Missed is supported by listeners who believe that time spent with God’s Word matters. If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or met you where you are, consider returning value in whatever way you can. Pray for the show, share it with someone who might need it, or support it financially.

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About the Show

Verses We Missed is a weekly podcast released every Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m. Pacific. It’s a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace, taking a closer look at the quiet verses we often read past too quickly.

Find more episodes and connect with Steve at
lifespringmedia.com/show/verses-we-missed/.