Romans 16:1-16

You will find more greetings in this final chapter of Romans than in every other letter of Paul’s combined. After a passionate chapter surrounding the importance and responsibility of the reached reaching the unreached, independently and together, chapter 16 seems to be a disappointing way to end such a beneficial and powerful book that has unpacked God’s rescue plan for all people. At first glance, the first sixteen verses of chapter 16 look like a list of Paul’s social media followers. Because of this surface appearance, a list of little-known and hard-to-pronounce names, these verses can be easily skipped or quickly skimmed during our reading or study times. Regarding passages like Romans 16:1-16, we must remember that God has breathed out every word of the Scriptures, and they are helpful for us. As we look at these nearly invisible brothers and sisters in Christ, what visible lessons can we take from their examples and, by following in their footsteps, make a visible impact in the lives of others for God’s Kingdom?

Phoebe and The Scriptures

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.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe,: A sister in Christ is mentioned first in Paul’s listing of very important people in his life and ministry. The Apostle commends Phoebe to the churches in Rome. This faithful servant of Jesus was likely tasked with delivering this letter of Paul’s to Rome. Since the Romans would receive this letter from her hand, Paul recommended her to these house churches scattered throughout the city. His recommendation of her would validate the trustworthiness and authority of the letter in her hands and her being entrusted by Paul to convey and interpret the letter to its recipients. It is also likely that Paul’s commending her also aided her in carrying out any other business needed to fulfill the letter’s expressed desire and plans for Paul’s missionary journey to Spain.

Paul’s recommendation of this saint also allowed her to receive help and shelter along her journey from Corinth to Rome. The 1,181.6 km distance (an 18 hour and 47 minute journey in today’s time) between the two cities would have been dangerous and the majority of inns at that time were where society’s worst dwelt or brothels flourished. It was common for travelers to seek out friendly houses of their cause or the homes of friends and family for a safe place to rest before continuing on their journey. Paul’s recommendation of Phoebe would have been used by her to secure homes of refuge for her and any traveling companions along the way.

who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea: Phoebe was a deacon in the church located in Cenchrea, a port city in eastern Corinth, the same city from which Paul penned this epistle. At the end of Paul’s first missionary journey, he, Priscilla, and Aquila left for Syria by sea from Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). While in the port city, this new church was birthed from the supporting ministry of Corinth and their efforts along with Paul and his friends.

There is much debate surrounding what role this lady actually played or held in this daughter church of Corinth, however, one thing is for sure she was a faithful member of God’s family with a servant’s heart and therefore worthy of fullest honor. Diakonos, sometimes translated as servant (ESV, KJV, NASB 1995), but here in the NLT translated deacon. The question among genuine believers then, did Phoebe hold the office of deacon or was she simply an exemplary servant? While our denomination, church experience, and familiar church leadership structure affect how we ourselves might answer the question proposed above, what do the Scriptures tell us?

The Greek word diakonos (deacon) here is neuter and was used in the church to describe servants within the church before the office of deacon was developed, as in Acts 6. The word was also used of the household servants involved in Jesus turning water into wine and by Paul in Romans 13 in reference to governing officials. However when diakonos obviously refers to a church office, the word is usually translated as deacon as it is in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:10 and 13. In his understanding of 1 Timothy 3, John MacArthur views Paul’s instructions to women as instructions to those who held the office of deacon in their local churches. Macarthur asks why Paul would give such instruction for the wives of deacons but not the wives of elders? Pastor John goes on to point out that the word likewise in verses eleven ties the qualifications of these women to those previously given for elders and deacons. Paul would not have referred to women deacons as deaconesses because diakonos has no feminine form.

During the church’s first few centuries of existence, women deacons cared for fellow disciples who were sick, for the poor, for the travelers passing through, and the imprisoned. Within the ministry, they were tasked with helping baptize and disciple women new to the faith and children.

Others like Brockhaus and Holmberg believe that diakonos, because of its use elsewhere in Scripture (Romans 11:13, 12:7, 13:4; 1 Corinthians 3:5, 6:4, 11:15 and 23) to refer to missionaries including Paul himself, means it is no longer plausible for us to simply limit Phoebe service to simply compassion ministry like caring for the sick, poor, traveling, and imprisoned. In light of the word’s usage, one could conclude that Phoebe is being recommended as an official teacher and missionary in the church of Cenchrea.

Whichever view one takes of Phoebe and her role in her local church, whether a servant’s heart to simply emulate or as one who held the position of church leader, we can all agree that she looked a lot like Jesus. Because of Jesus’ words in Mark 10:45 of Himself, we can say with confidence that, “We look most like Jesus when we are serving.” May we serve others in the name of Christ so that our brothers and sisters describe us as Paul described Phoebe and so that above all, we can hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

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.

Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people: Since writing letters was costly and timely in the ancient world, Paul most likely did not make another copy of this letter. Pheobe’s love for the Lord demonstrated through her love for others and his work had won her Paul’s respect and trust. It was in Phoebe’s possession that this letter to the house churches in Rome written to remind them of the Gospel truths and encouraging unity so that they could reach Spain with the Good News, which would become a theological masterpiece for the Church, set out from Corinth. We too have been entrusted with a message, a message to all people, the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we like Phoebe be faithful in our assignment and deliver this life changing and life giving Gospel to all who will listen and receive it!

Help her in whatever she needs: Paul commanded the believers that she encountered along her journey and once in Rome to receive her with honor due to a local church leader who has faithfully served others and is playing a role in the mission endeavor for Spain. The Apostle also includes an open-ended request for aid so that Phoebe can have every resource necessary to help fund and supply for infiltrating Spain with the Good News. Paul’s instruction to help her might have also included personal business matters she was hoping to accomplish as the primary reason for her trip.

for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me: These final words of verse two help us understand who Phoebe was a little more fully. Paul says that she has been a help or patroness, protectress, or helper to many – including him. This godly woman was most likely a business woman and had considerable wealth. It is very possible that she agreed to financially fund Paul’s letter to the Romans and the mission project to Spain, at least up to the point were the Roman churches would take lead or help with support as well. Her partnership at the beginning would have been an encouragement to these local bodies of believers to partner because the logistics and cost (think travel, lodging and translators) involved in such an endeavor would have been daunting to these poorer house churches. She helped further God’s kingdom and His servant’s through her influence and financial means as well as her personal time and efforts.

Did Paul Ever Make It To Spain?

While Paul was clear of his desire to take the Gospel to Spain (Romans 15:28), the Bible never tells us if he did or didn’t. Because the Bible doesn’t tell us either way, we look inside and outside the Bible to see if there is any evidence suggesting or proving he did or didn’t. Let’s see what we uncover.

The book of Acts reports on Paul’s three missionary journeys that end with his imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30). What Paul did after his first imprisonment and before his second arrest is unclear (2 Timothy 4:16-17). It is possible time wise for Paul to have traveled and ministered in Spain since it was about four years between his first imprisonment and death. Not only did Paul have time to take on this missionary endeavor, this was his next focus once arriving in Rome. Though Paul did not arrive in Rome as he had envisioned, he was none the less there and Spain would have been his next mission field. The churches, with the help of Phoebe, would have had time to organize and collect all that was needed to launch this missionary endeavor by Paul’s release in 63 AD (Romans was written in the winter of 56 or 57 AD).

Thirdly, while the church’s size and organization in Spain by the third century doesn’t prove that it was Paul who brought the gospel to the region but it does prove that the Gospel arrived in Spain early on. The church council of Spain in 306 or 307 AD was attended by 19 bishops and 24 presbyters (delegates from churches whose bishops were unable to attend).

Clement of Rome’s letter to the church in Corinth in 95 AD writings say Paul went to “the farthest limits of the West.” The expression “the extreme limit of the west” was commonly understood to be Hispanic or what is now Spain. Of Paul, Clement said,

“Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being thrown into jail seven times, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limits of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects.”

The Muratorian Canon (AD 180) says Paul went from Rome to Spain along with other independent witnesses like Cyril of Jerusalem and Chrysostom. Combined, these two men record Paul’s ministry from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Romans 15:19), him instructing imperial Rome (Acts 25:1-26:32) , his imprisonment (Acts 28:17-31), and his Gospel work in Spain. Local traditions also give credit to Paul for first bringing the Good News of Salvation (Romans 1:16) to Spain.

It is believed that Paul’s second arrest brought his fourth missionary journey to an end. He was sent to Mamertine Prison. The prisons conditions were harsher than his being on house arrest. During his second Roman imprisonment, Paul knew the time of his death was at hand (2 Timothy 4:6). He was cared for by Luke (2 Timothy 4:11) and Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16–17) but left by many others. Nero was on a rampage against Christians in Rome and according to tradition, Nero had Paul beheaded.

What Can We Learn From Phoebe?

Even though the Bible doesn’t plainly state that Paul made it to Spain, the evidence outside the Biblical text seems to show that God did indeed grant Paul his heart’s desire to make Jesus known in an area where He had not yet been made known. Yet, his mission would have been impossible if not for other faithful believers, like Phoebe and unnamed believers in Rome, coming alongside Paul and sacrificially serving and supporting the burden and vision that God had laid upon his heart.

What can we learn from Phoebe when it comes to making Jesus known? When it comes to making Jesus’ last words our first work?

• Leverage Business Opportunities for Kingdom Impact
• Invest in Kingdom Work

Priscilla and Aquila and The Scriptures

Romans 16:3-5a

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.

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus: We go from a business woman in Phoebe to Paul greeting and highlighting a married couple and their love for Christ’s Church and Paul. Paul had first met this Jewish couple on his first missionary journey while in Corinth. The couple had fled to Corinth after Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome. While we do not know for certain how Paul met this couple, the Apostle could have very easily met Aquila at a local synagogue in Corinth.

It was custom for men to sit on one side of the room and for women to sit on the other side of the synagogue. Even more intriguing is that the men sat in groups according to their trade or profession. The day’s practices and Acts 18:1-3 lends the possibility that Paul met Aquila while visiting the same synagogue he and Priscilla attended since they were all tentmakers. Paul lived with them at the beginning of his ministry in Corinth. This couple’s presence is more visible in the Scriptures then the any of the others mentioned in 16:1-16 because they are mentioned six times, three by Luke and three by Paul.

In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them: This husband and wife team worked hard in ministry but also loved their brother Paul even in the most difficult of times by being willing to lay down their lives for their friend if necessary (John 15:13). From Acts 18:18, we know the couple traveled with Paul to Ephesus and remained even after Paul moved on to his subsequent work. While in Ephesus, the couple was able to explain the way of God even more accurately to Apollos, further equipping and encouraging this servant of God for ministry (Acts 18:24-28). We are not told precisely how or the number of times Aquila and Priscilla risked their lives for Paul, but we do know that on one occasion, he was in danger while in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32; Acts 19:23, 30-31) and since they were with him in the city, they could have done something then. With their devotion and sacrifice for the Lord and his work and their love for Paul himself, it is no wonder the missionary makes sure to publicly let all know that he is thankful for them.

and so are all the Gentile churches.⁵ Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home: The effect of this couple’s ministry wasn’t just isolated to Paul, for the evangelist mentioned that all the Gentile churches were also thankful for them! How did they make such an impact on the believers at large? While they served and did many things that are invisible to us today nearly 2,000 years later, the things preserved for us in Scripture that we can see show us that no matter where life took this couple, they ministered to all unconditionally and without prejudice. We see in the first part of verse 5 that they had a church meeting in their home. After the death of Emperor Claudius, the couple moved back to Rome and led a church there. However, we see the couple ministering with Paul in Corinth or at least in Greece with a house church (1 Corinthians 16:19), Ephesus with Apollos, and now once again in Rome. Wherever God placed them, they made that place their mission field and impacted the believers’ lives around them deeply.

What Can We Learn From Priscilla and Aquila?

• Serve the Lord as a couple, even when risky
• Where God has placed us, let us make that place our Mission Field

Paul’s Other Friends and The Scriptures

Romans 16:5b-16

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. ⁶ Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia,^[a] my fellow Jews,^[b] 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.

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.^[c] 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.

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

Epenetus and the Scriptures

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ: It is likely that Epenetus was won to the Lord under Paul’s ministry in Asia, now the general area of modern day Turkey. Since Paul speaks of this man so affectionally it is possible that he discipled him upon his conversion. First person or first convert as some translations relate it literally means firstfruits. The Greek word ties it to the sacrificial language and practice of the Old Testament when the Israelites would offer their firstfruits as an offering to the LORD. This offering the first of their crops carried with it the expectancy of more harvest. Epenetus was the first of others who came to Christ during Paul’s ministry in and near Ephesus. Now, about 5 years since beginning his ministry in Ephesus, Paul’s first conversion while ministering in Ephesus a faithful follower of Christ.

What can we learn from Epenetus?

• Like Epenetus, when life takes us to different places to live, we need to find a new place of Christian community. Following his example might be difficult and take longer then we had hoped but worth it.
• Discipling new believers is vital to their spiritual health and longevity. Paul began his ministry in Ephesus in the spring of 52 AD, where he stayed for two years and three months. Epenetus was his first convert, so the Apostle no doubt invested heavily in him for several months, perhaps a couple of years. Paul pouring into this new believer provided a lasting foundation and the tools for Epenetus to follow Jesus and grow in His likeness.
• Discipling new believers is not only vital to new believers (not to mention commanded by Christ), but it also takes TIME. Not only did Paul possibly spend years with Epenetus upon his conversion, but he had also kept in touch with his brother in Christ, well enough to know that he was now living in Rome and part of one of the house churches there. Had Paul encouraged him to find a community of believers upon his arrival in a new city? With Paul and Epenetus staying in touch, there could have been many things this younger believer sought Paul’s wisdom and advice on. Discipleship is relationship and relationships take time. These relationships might change over time but while the relationship may change over time, but at anytime, they ought be able to be resumed for the purpose of helping a fellow believer grow in their Christlikeness.

Mary and the Scriptures

Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit: While there are many women named Mary in the Gospels, there is no reason to believe that this May was one of those ladies. We do not now how she came to Christ or what she did within the ministry in the church in Rome but we do know that she had worked hard for the benefit of the brothers and sisters. The Greek word translated worked hard, carries the idea of laboring to the point of exhaustion and weariness. The context also seems to indicate that Mary had served sacrificially at the church for a while.

What do we learn from Mary’s example?

• Like Paul, Mary gave all she had, she too poured her life out for the temporal and eternal benefit of others (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6). Just as Mary poured herself out so that her fellow believers could grow in Christlikeness and to make Jesus known to others, we too ought to leave it all on the field so to speak, pouring our lives out as an offering to the One Who poured out His life to save us (Luke 22:20; John 19:34).

Adronicus and Junia and the Scriptures

Greet Andronicus and Junia,^[a] my fellow Jews,^[b] who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did: Junias, Junia as translated here could have been a woman’s name. If so Andronicus and Junia could be another married couple to emulate in their dedication and love for our Lord. Their love for the Lord was pure enough to endure suffering and imprisonment for His name. While the NLT writes, my fellow Jews, other versions say my fellow kinsmen. Fellow Kinsmen can rightly be interpreted as my fellow Jews but many people listed in these verses are also Jewish but not referred to as kinsmen making it a possibility that this couple could have been related to Paul in some way along with Herodian (v11), Jason (v21), and Sosipater (v21). At some point, maybe many points since Paul experienced many imprisonments (2 Corinthians 11:23), these two believers were imprisoned with Paul because of their Gospel work.

These two disciples were highly respected among the apostles. While we live for an audience of One (Galatians 1:10), can you imagine being highly respected by the likes of Peter, James, and John along with the other original eight disciples? Being in Christian community can encourage us to continue on the path we are on because it is good and beneficial or in other cases, can warn us to stop and make a u-turn before we shipwreck our lives and our faith. These two all became followers of Christ before Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. Since the church was birthed in Jerusalem, Andronicus and Junia likely came to know Jesus in Jerusalem, where the apostles served (Acts 2:42) and thus served alongside of them. Their faithful ministry with the apostles was performed in such a way that they earned the respect of the original eleven disciples and Matthias, Judas’ replacement.

Since they came to Christ before Paul in Jerusalem, they likely suffered as a result of the persecution Paul waged against The Way (Acts 8:1-3). Even if they were family in some way, this family relationship wouldn’t have sheltered them from Paul’s efforts against the church. And yet, if Andronicus and Junia experienced any suffering at the hands or by his efforts, forgave Paul just as God in Christ forgave them (Ephesians 4:32). If this scenario is true, then being reconciled to these family members and now serving Christ together would have been even more gratifying to Paul. These restored relationships would also have been a powerful picture of the power of the Gospel. A Gospel than reconciles sinners to a holy God and as a result redeemed sinners with one another.

What can we learn from Andronicus’ and Junia’s examples?

• If indeed married, serving the Lord together as one?
• They had counted the cost, gave up their own way, took up their cross, and followed Jesus. Have we?
• If they had suffered under Paul’s persecution of the church, they challenge us to forgive one another as God in Christ has forgiven us. These reconciled relationships can form a partnership of believers that God will powerfully use for the advancement of His Gospel.

Ampliatus, Urbanus, and Stachys and the Scriptures

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys:

Of the three names mentioned in the last part of verse eight and nine, Paul has a relational knowledge as indicated by his calling them a friend or co-worker. Ampiliatus was dear to Paul as a brother in Christ. Ampliatus was a common name among slaves. Since slaves were not allowed to have names of freed men, it is possible that Paul’s friend had been or still was a slave. It is also possible that Ampiliatus was among the believers in Caesar’s household mentioned by Paul in Philippians (4:22) since his name was especially common among slaves in imperial households.

In one of the earliest Christian catacombs near Rome, you will find a beautifully decorated tomb and it bears the name of Ampliatus. Free Romans always had three names and since this grave marker contains only a single name could provide further evidence that this is the same man mentioned here by Paul, as being a slave in Rome. Since the tomb is elaborately decorated, it shows that this man was loved by and respected by his fellow believers. While there were some exceptions (James 2:1-9), social and economic status was of little importance in the early church. Persecution showed no favorites, all Christians were targets regardless of social or economic status, being wealthy or important didn’t shelter you from harm because of your faith in Jesus. They loved and honored one another as brothers in sisters in Christ (John 15:12; Galatians 3:28) first and foremost.

Urbanus was a common Roman name and he was most likely a Roman citizen. Paul calls him a co-worker, meaning that at some point they could have had worked together in the ministry, though we have no records telling us of this partnership. Since Paul says our co-worker, Paul might have heard about this man’s labor on Christ’s behalf from another believer who had done ministry with him.

Paul mentions Stachys, as another one of his friends. Stachys is Greek and means “ear of corn.” This man with an uncommon name was dear to Paul though we do not have anything preserved for us that tells anything more about their relationship.

What can we learn from Ampliatus’, Urbanus’, and Stachys’ examples?

• While there is very little known of these three men, I’d like to make one observation. Pastoral ministry can be one of the longest professions for both the minister and his family. Many had befriended Paul and no doubt were an encouragement to him in many ways and not just within the ministry. A few years ago when I was battling depression and really considering leaving the pastorate there was a man in our church who really just befriended me. We grabbed lunch a few times, encouraged me, and helped with some ministry odds and ends but really just loved me as a brother in Christ and a friend. He may never know just how much he impacted my life then and how those small gestures continue to be used by God in my life. We are created in God’s image and because He is triune in nature, our God is Himself relational. We too are relational beings and we need trusting and genuine relationships with others.
  • It might be hard to imagine but your pastor is simply a person. He needs friends just as much as you do, could you be that for your pastor? As you survey your life and those around it, is there someone that could use a real friend? Could you be the Ampliatus or Stachys in their lives? These guys sound like the friends of Proverbs 18:24, ones that stick closer than a brother.

Apelles and Aristobulus and the Scriptures

Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus

Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves: Whether or not Paul knew Apelles personally or through hearsay, he is described as a good man who Christ approved. Dokimos (approves) carries the idea of being tried and tested. The word was used to describe the testing of gold and other precious metals for purity.

There was no banking system during Paul’s time as we know it today. All currency were made of metals, heated until liquid, and then poured into molds for cooling. Once the coins had cooled, it was necessary to to smooth off the uneven edges. Some of these money makers would shave more off then was required for self-profit therefore putting coins into circulation that were less more than advertised. However, there were some men who were men of integrity and would only out full-weight money into the system to be circulated. These men were called dokimos.

And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus: This is the name of a grandson of Herod the Great. While scholars debate the likelihood of this being the same man, others say that though he died in 48 / 49 AD, his family or household probably continued and his name remained associated with it. Since all his family and servants would have become property of the emperor after his death, these mentioned here could have also been part of the believers in the imperial household mention in Philippians 4:22.

What can we learn from Apelles’ and Aristobulus’ examples?

• Apelles was a man of integrity just like the money exchangers who shaved off the appropriate amount of rough edging on the coins they made acted with integrity. It has been said that integrity is who we are when no one is watching, it might be better stated that integrity is who we are when only God is watching since nothing in all creation is hidden from him. Whether in front of people or out of their sight may we always do what is right and in the right way as an act of worship for the One who sees us. As God’s people we are not to take His name in vain, the heart of this command entails more than not using His name as a curse word but that we who say we follow Christ act with integrity in all our ways so that we do not misrepresent Him to those around us. This seems to be the type of man Apelles was.
• If Aristobulus was living at the time of the writing, it would mean that this is not the grandson of Herod the Great but another man with the same name. If this view is correct, Aristobulus seems to be excluded from those who were believers in his household. It seems as if Paul addresses believers who were in the household but couldn’t address him warmly as a believer because he wasn’t one despite having family members who were being around him and possibly sharing the gospel with him.
• If this Aristobulus was indeed the grandson of Herod the Great he had already died and his eternity was sealed. If this view is correct then he would have died apart from Christ and he will be separated from at least some of his family for all eternity. In either view, will you who are far from God, will you draw near to Him in repentance and faith? I have done funerals where we knew without the loved one took their last breath here and their first breath in God’s presence seamlessly and others where we didn’t know. There is comfort, hope, and peace available to a family who knows that the death of their loved one is not a final good bye but a see you later because of them and the deceased being in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
  • Will you not finally heed the warnings of love and the invitation of grace your family and friends have been telling you about? Would you not believe in Jesus, His message, and the God who sent Him so that you will never be condemned for you sin (John 5:24)?
  • Believer, will you not share the Gospel with those in your family who are continuing to reject Him? Who are ignorant of Him?

Herodion and Narcissus and the Scriptures

¹¹ Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.^[c] Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus.

Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.^[c]: Herodian was Paul’s fellow Jew but also related to him like Andronicus and Junia. As the name indicates, Herodian was related to the family of Herod in some way and thus could have also been associated with the household of Aristobulus.

Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus: It seems that Narcissus was not a believer himself but at least some of those in his household were. Some scholars like J.B. Lightfoot, think that Narcissus was Emperor Claudius’ secretary. Since he alone had authority to grant access to the emperor, he became wealthy through the many bribes he received by either granting access to the emperor or speaking to the emperor on someone else’s behalf and serving as the middle man between the two parties. If this is true of Narcissus then those Christians in his household would also be included in those in Casey’s household sending greetings to the believers in Philippi (Philippians 4:22).

What can we learn from Herodion’s and Narcissus’ examples?

• Though we do not know hardly anything about Herodian, I am challenged by him to simply see my family as a mission field. As a family member of Paul’s but also the family of Herod and possibly Aristobulus, there would have been a great need for a loving family member to point his relatives to Jesus.
  • Who is it in your family who is still far from God? Pray for them by name regularly and for the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
• Narcissus is a sad reminder that one can have family members who have experienced the power of Gospel and are enjoying new life in the light of Christ but remain lifeless in the darkness of their lostness. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 that a marriage and family are blessed by having a believing member as part of it. Those family members can model the love that Christ has for their lost family member in tangible and visible ways in an effort and hope that they will come to know Jesus too. It seems that Narcissus was not a believer himself but had people in his family who were Christians. Narcissus’ unbelief prevented him from being warmly welcome by Paul as a brother in Christ because he had yet to become a child of God through faith in Christ (John 1:12; Romans 8:15-17).
  • Is this you? Does your spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or other family member has a relationship with Jesus but you don’t? What is preventing you to make such the decision to follow Jesus? God doesn’t have any grandchildren, just children. No one else’s faith in Christ makes you a member of God’s family, only yours. Don’t miss out on a blessed eternity with your beloved and believing family members because you reject Christ in this life!

Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis and the Scriptures

¹² Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord:

Tryphena and Tryphosa could have been sisters, maybe even twins. Their names mean “delicate” and “dainty” respectively. Though the meaning of their names did not define or characterize their work for the Lord. These women were actively and faithfully serving their Savior.

Persis received her name from her native land of Persia. She was dear or beloved not only by Paul but by everyone who knew her. The sister’s work is spoken of as present tense but Persis’ is spoken of in past tense. It could be that the two sisters were much younger and still able to be very active in the ministry of the Lord and that Persis was an older lady who had already lived out her most productive years. Yet, all three were noted for their faithful service.

What can we learn from Tryphena’s, Tryphosa’s, and Persis’ examples?

• There is no age limit in service to the Lord. It is often said that kids are the church of tomorrow but they are actually the church of today just like the rest of its members. No work permit is needed for a child or student to use his or her gifts to serve others and there is no retirement age in the business of God’s kingdom either.
• If Tryphena and Tryphosa were indeed sisters, it shows us that our siblings could be our greatest partner in the ministry. These two serving sisters reminds us that we ought to look for ways to serve others in Jesus name together. Do you and your spouse or family regularly serve others in the name of Christ together?
• Older saints like Persis, must set the example of having a servant’s heart to the generations behind them so that those generations know what it looks like to serve God’s people.
• Younger saints like Tryphena and Tryphosa must take up the ministry of the older saints when their bodies begin to change the way that they are able to minister. Those of us who find ourselves on the younger side of the church family would do well to remember Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

Rufus and his mother and the Scriptures

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 says that the Lord picked out Rufus (chose or elected) to be His very own. The Apostle couldn’t have been speaking about salvation for every believer is chosen by the Father in Christ (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4). Paul is saying that he was an extraordinary Christian, known by his fellow believers for his love and work for the Lord. While him living a life we ought to emulate, what excites me the most about Rufus is how he possibly came to Christ through his father’s encounter with Jesus! Who was Rufus’ father?

The gospel of Mark was written in Rome after Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Rome. In Mark’s gospel we see that a man named Simon, from Cyrene, was forced into service by the soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross. Mark says that this Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). Mark would have no reason to include the names of Simon’s sons unless they were known by the Church at large (through the distribution of Paul’s letter). Because of this reason, scholars believe that the Rufus mentioned here is one of the sons of Simon who possibly came to saving faith in Christ because of his contact with him on the way to Calvary. Simon’s encounter with Christ had an effect on his family, they too encountered Christ because of his encounter. Is our relationship with Jesus, our personal encounters, causing our families to know Him more?

Simon must have passed before the letter was penned and sent to Rome, otherwise the man who had been converted by carrying the Messiah’s cross would have been high revered in the churches. Rufus’ brother Alexander either was dead or did not live in Rome at the time for Paul not to have greeted him.

Rufus’ mother, Simon’s wife, was beloved by Paul. She was not Paul’s biological mother but she had been like a mother to him. At some point during Paul’s life and ministry she had cared for him as if he was her own son.

What can we learn from Rufus’ life and his mother’s example?

• As parents, we need to share about our walk with the Lord. No doubt Simon shared his experience of having to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha and his coming to believe in Jesus as his Messiah. mom’s and dad’s have the most influence when it comes to their children’s spirituality. It looks like the impact Simon’s faith had on his sons was genuine and powerful as it seems both were faithful and well respected by other believers. Though Simon didn’t plan this encounter with Jesus, are we setting time aside for us to encounter Jesus regularly?
• Rufus’ mother, Simon’s wife, influenced and impacted the lives of her two sons but also Paul’s. Never underestimate the impact we can have on the lives of others outside of our own family. Are there any of your children’s friends that you could be like a father or mother to? Is there a nice, nephew, neighborhood kid, or a friend of one of your children that you could impact for the cause of Christ? If so start today by including them in your prayers and then look for opportunities to invest in and develop those relationships in such ways to help move them closer to Christ and your family.

Nine Leaders and the Scriptures

¹⁴ Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters^[d] who meet with them.¹⁵ Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers^[e] who meet with them: It seems that these names mentioned here were leaders of house churches in the capital city since both verses conclude with giving greetings to all of those who met with them. Because of the careful research of William Barclay, we do have a little more information on Nereus.

There was an event that shocked the city of Rome in 95 AD. Two of the most high respected people were condemned to death for being Christians. The two people were husband and wife. Flavius Clement had been counsel of Rome and his wife, Domatilla, was of royal descent. Domatilla was the granddaughter of Vespasian, a former emperor and niece of the ruling emperor Domitian of that time. The couple’s two sons had been appointed as Domitian’s successors. However, Flavius was executed and Domatilla banished to the island of Portia where she drew out a long martyrdom for Christ.

What does this couple have to do with Nereus and vice versa? The name of this husband and wife’s household manager was Nereus. Is it possible that this slave had a hand in bringing his superiors to a life saving and changing relationship with his Jesus? It is always a possibility, even though Nereus was a common name.

What can we learn from these nine church leaders?

• The names of these church leaders remind me that I am to be a good steward of what God has blessed my family and I with. These men opened up their homes for these believers to gather and for worship, fellowship, and the reading of Scripture. May we follow their example in leveraging all that God has given us to help others grow in their faith. Would you pray asking God to show you how you can use each thing He has given you as a way to worship Him?
• Nereus teaches us to share the gospel with those in our places of employment, even if they are our superiors, in love and despite any negative repercussions that could come our way. Who knows, they might be saved like Flavius and Domatilla as we faithfully talk about the Gospel with them.

All the churches in Christ and the Scriptures

¹⁶ Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings: I’ll never forget hearing the story of a young woman who God led to become part of our church family concerning her visit to another church in our area. She had shared that upon visiting another local church a member of their welcome team greeted her with a kiss. Needless to say, she didn’t return to worship with that local body. Who would blame her, talk about awkward! Yet by looking at verse sixteen, it looks like our brother was simply following Paul’s orders.

While this practice sounds strange to us and culturally unacceptable, Luke 7:45 shows us that this was a common greeting at this time. It was also common practice during Old Testament times. The kissing of one on the cheek or forehead was a way of welcoming and embracing dear friends or relatives. Kissing one of high authority was also a sign of respect and honor.

Since many of the first believers were predominately Jewish, they carried this tradition on into the newly formed Church. Since many new believers were made outcast by their friends and families because of their conversion, the spiritual family bond between believers became stronger and stronger. This affection manifested itself in what became known as a holy kiss. This kiss was a sign of brotherly affection, not sexual in anyway. This welcoming with a kiss persisted for years until it was being misused.

What can we learn from all of Christ’s churches?

• While we wouldn’t greet one another with a kiss today, our handshakes, hugs, fist bumps, or high fives should be a way to communicate community and love to our brothers and sisters in Christ with purity.
• All the churches in Christ sending the churches in Rome their greetings should remind us that all genuine believers and biblical affirming churches are all on the same team. As long as another church is teaching and holding to biblical truth, let us not tear each other down but instead work together to build the body of Christ up and give Him honor!

Additional Resources

• Related Sermons
  • Nearly Invisible Part 1
  • Nearly Invisible Part 2