Romans - Week 38

Welcome Phoebe

READ

Romans 16:1-2

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

In this last chapter Paul sends greetings to many friends. Some are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament; many are mentioned only here. Phoebe’s name is not found elsewhere but much is said about her here. The word “deacon” means “servant” and she was that in the church located in the port city of Corinth. She was worthy of honor, Paul wrote, and others should provide whatever she needed. Paul was especially grateful for her help to him.

REFLECT

Are you a servant in your church, helping out wherever and whenever you can?

RESPOND

For a reference to Corinth, from which Paul was writing this letter, and Cenchrea, read Acts 18:18. This chapter gives much information about Paul’s time in Corinth.

Co-Workers in Ministry

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Romans 16:3-5

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.

Paul mentions the names “Priscilla and Aquila” in this order five times in the New Testament. One time their names are reversed as “Aquila and Priscilla” (see 1 Corinthians 16:19). The most important matter is what is said about them. They were “co-workers” of Paul’s; they once risked their lives for him; all the Gentile churches were thankful for them; a church met in their house. Paul also singled out Epenetus (mentioned only here) who was the first Christ-follower in the province of Asia.

REFLECT

What would you like to have someone write about you someday?

RESPOND

Return to Acts 18 to learn more about Priscilla and Aquila.

Dear Friends

READ

Romans 16:6-9

6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Little is known about those Paul greeted except what he wrote here. The compliments he gave, however, are significant. Mary worked hard; Andronicus and Junia were in prison with him and were Christ-followers before he was. Ampliatus was a “dear friend in the Lord”; Urbanus was a co-worker; and Stachys was a “dear friend.” These were cherished friends of the apostle Paul.

REFLECT

Think of ways you could write about some fellow believers. Why not write them a note and tell them?

RESPOND

Read Psalm 71:16-17 about how the psalmist told others about what God had done. Talk with your disciple about those you may need to encourage by writing them a note.

More Greetings

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Romans 16:10-13

10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Paul continues to send greetings to friends through Timothy. For the most part they are not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, but it is special to see what Paul says about them. A name found elsewhere in the New Testament is “Rufus” (see Mark 15:21) Here Paul describes him as one the Lord had picked out. True, the Lord has picked out all believers, but Paul saw something special in Rufus.  Paul described the mother of Rufus as one who acted as a mother to him.

REFLECT

Read the passage above and think about each way Paul described these dear friends of his.

RESPOND

Read Mark 15:21 that tells about the father of Rufus who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus. Discuss with your disciple what this family must have been like.

A Sacred Kiss

READ

Romans 16:14-16

14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Regarding these names not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, it must be remembered that there were house churches then in which these people may have been participating. Also there were many slaves in that day who had come to Christ and some of these names might reflect that. They were asked to greet each other with a “sacred kiss.” This might be contrasted to the kiss of Judas that was a kiss of betrayal. Also, the sacred kiss is still used in some countries today. Paul also wanted these friends to know that other churches were sending greetings to them.

REFLECT

Think about the main application you can make with these names Paul mentions. You can be thankful that a Christian leader remembered his fellow-workers. And other churches remembered them also. Are you passing on greetings to others?

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple about how to handle this last chapter in Romans when teaching the book with so many names that are difficult to pronounce. Mention the lessons to be learned from it.