Romans 16:1-3 (NLT)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon...
Give my greetings to Priscilla ...Greet... Junia, ... highly respected among the apostles ...

- Paul's commendations of these three prominent women challenges the vestiges of the patriarchal thinking that still grips many churches two thousand years later.

Romans 16:20 (NLT)
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

- I love this little gem of a word picture. It hearkens right back to Genesis where God warns the serpent:

Genesis 3:15 (NLT)
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."

- it reminds us that the church is the very body (and foot) of Christ by which Satan will be ultimately crushed.

Romans 16:25-27 (NLT)
Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. [26] But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. [27] All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.