Romans 16 - 3/23/08pm

Romans 16:1-16

We often skip over the various personal greetings in Paul’s epistles. However, if we take the time to look at these verses and consider what is being said, we gain insight into not only the individuals of the first century church, but into how we should be living today. The same things that were commendable then are commendable now. And we can ask ourselves, “does this describe me?”

1 I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.

Women are valuable in the church:
Titus 2:3-5 -The roles of older and younger women

We can, and should, help each other:
II Corinthians 9:1-5 -The Corinthian eagerness to help stirred up others
Philippians 2:25-30 -Epaphroditus risked his life to help

3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:

Couples working together:
Acts 18:24-28 -Aquilla and Priscilla

Willingness to be faithful, regardless of cost:
Hebrews 11:30-40 -Faithful men and women who risked it all

5 and [salute] the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.

First fruits or last fruits, the reward is the same:
Matthew 20:1-16 -Laborers in the vineyard

How long will we be faithful?
Revelation 2:10 -Be faithful unto death

6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you.

Are we willing to bestow much labor on others?
II Corinthians 9:8 -Full of ever good work
I Corinthians 15:58 -Ever giving of yourself for the Lord
I Corinthians 3:6-9 -Paul planted, Apollos watered

7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.

More apostles than just the 12
I Thessalonians 1:6 -Paul, Timothy, and Silas
Acts 1:23-26 -Replacing Judas
Hebrews 3:1 -Christ as apostle

Paul’s kinsmen, who were Christians before Paul:
Acts 8:1-3 -Paul persecutes the church…and kinsmen?

8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

Are we “fellow-workers”?
I Corinthians 3:1-9 -All Christians should be workers, each has a part to fulfill
Philippians 4:2-3 -Should be able to rely on each other to help carry the load

Are we close enough to the brethren to call them “beloved?”
Matthew 22:34-40 -Should love ALL men
Romans 13:8-10 -Have love for one another

10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the [household] of Aristobulus. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the [household] of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.

Families supporting each other:
II Timothy 1:5 -Timothy’s mother and grandmother

The difference between “in the Lord” and not in the Lord:
I Corinthians 7:39 -In remarriage of widows
Acts 2:47 -Lord adds those who are saved
Philippians 4:2 -Of the same mind in the Lord

12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

We see two of our earlier points brought out and raised again:
Laboring for the Lord: are we doing so?
Are brethren “beloved?”

13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Hospitality and “mothering:”
Romans 12:9-21 -Look at the list that hospitality is included in!
I Peter 4:7-11 -Another list that includes hospitality

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. 15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.

We have no specific details of these people in this place. Yet they are included as being brethren worth noting. Just because we do not know what someone is doing does not mean that they are doing nothing to further the cause of Christ:
Matthew 6:1-18 -Public vs. private service
Philippians 4:3 -Names of the “fellow-workers” are not named

16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

We are all in this together: all Christians. Although we may be relatively few when compared to the world, we can take courage in knowing that we are not all one, and that we have a bond with others in the church established by Christ.
Colossians 2:1-3 -Colossi and Laodicea
Matthew 7:13-14 -Wide and narrow gates: are you among the few or the many?