Honoring God’s Servants

 

ROMANS 16:1-16

SUBJECT: HONOR

THEME: honor, appreciate, and celebrate Christian servants who have greatly impacted your life and ministry in the church, at home and professionally. We need each other to accomplish the work of God!

INTRODUCTION:                                               

5188 Service of Henry Martyn

Henry Martyn had already done more than his share of missionary service in India when he announced he was going to Persia. Doctors had told him that the heat would kill him if he stayed in India, and the heat in Persia was worse.

Martyn arrived, studied the Persian language and translated the New Testament and Psalms in an amazing nine months. But then was told he must have the Shah’s permission to circulate it.

Martyn traveled 600 miles to Tehran, only to be denied permission to see the Shah. He then turned around and made a 400-mile trip to find the British ambassador who gave his credentials and said, “This is all I can do. You will have to present them yourself.”

Barely able to stand, Martyn rode at night on the back of a mule and rested in the daytime, protected only by a strip of canvas from the sweltering heat. He was received by the Shah who gave permission for the Scriptures in Persian to be circulated.

Ten days later, in 1812, he died in Turkey. Shortly before he had written in his diary, “I sat and thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God. In solitude my Companion, my Friend, and Comforter.”^[a]

How could we not appreciate such a marvelous example of devoted service to our Lord? Certainly such believers should be appreciated and appropriately celebrated as such devotion is indeed exemplary and should be followed by us all. Paul was an incredible servant of the Lord Jesus, but according to this great chapter, he had the privilege of working with some noteworthy servants of the Lord and he cherishes them as such. Now that we've gained an overview of this chapter in the previous article, let's dive into more of the specifics, beginning with verses Romans 16:1–16.

LESSON:

I.               Honor, Appreciate and Celebrate the Contributions of Others (Rom. 16:1-16)

It has been observed that when Paul wrote to churches he had founded, he made few personal references. Perhaps he did not want to show favoritism within groups that claimed him as a spiritual father.                                         

     A.  Why was Paul Naming These Individuals?

When he wrote to the Colossians and to the Romans, churches he had never visited, he gave many personal greetings to show his knowledge of the groups and to win their confidence in what he wrote by his association with these godly saints he mentioned. (See Col. 4:7–15; Rom. 16:1–15).

I think it is also safe to say that Paul wanted to recognize and honor these incredible servants of God now serving the Roman congregations. Not in a manner that deny the Lord the glory he most certainly deserves, but to give honor where honor is due (1 Pet. 2:17; Rom. 12:10; 13:7; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).

    B.  Who Are These Incredible Believers In Rome?

While some are a bit obscure, these are notable believers and committed Christians as a group. All of them a more then members of the fellowship; they consistently make meaningful contributions to the cause of Christ and the welfare of the congregation. Paul cherished these associates in Christ deeply.

          1.  Paul Saluted a Group of Women in Rome

It’s not that the men are not important here, but this list has a number of noteworthy women.

                a) Phoebe

Her name means “pure or radiant as the moon.” She served the church in Cenchrea, a port city just a few miles east of Corinth. She very likely carried the letter of Romans to the church in Rome, which would explain why Paul “commends” her to the Roman Christians.     

                    1) Her Character (Rom. 16:1-2)

                        i) She Was a Saint   vs 2

Saved by the grace of God and set apart unto God!  She was a holy Christian a ‘sanctified one’!

It is also important to notice that Christians are saints as a result of being saved and that these believers were living saints not people who were canonized after their death.  (Rom. 1:7; I Cor. 1:2; II Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 4:21; Col. 1:2)

Ephesians 5:3-5, But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  4, Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Titus 2:3-4, The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  4, That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

                        ii) She Was a Servant   vs 1

 This word ‘servant’ may be translated ‘minister’ (as in Mark 9:35; John 2:5, 9; Rom. 13:4; 15:8), or ‘deacon’ (as in Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12), suggesting [the idea of a ‘deaconess,’ but not necessarily an official officer] that Phoebe’s service in the church at Cenchrea was beyond ordinary. Thank God for the Phoebes I have been entirely honored to serve along side!

                      iii) She Was a Succourer   vs 2

Paul calls her a “succourer of many” (v.2), implying perhaps that she made it her ministry for the Lord to be helpful especially to the poor, sick, and strangers in Cenchrea and Corinth.  Perhaps she was the tireless sister who was forever showing hospitality to preachers and other believers in Cenchrea. Her name, however, is immortalized by her faithful service to the apostle, to the church at Rome, and to the ages from then till now in carrying this incredible letter to the Roman church.

                   2) Her Commendation (Rom. 16:1)

Paul commended Phebe to the church at Rome; since she had business in the capital, he want to encourage her reception by the church. This was a wise custom in the early church, and one still widely practiced today, to afford believers leaving one locality for another with letters of commendation to the church in the new vicinity (2 Cor. 3:1). It insured for the traveler a friendly reception in the strange city and helped the church there in its reception of believers from other places. We still practice this when we receive relocating believers from churches of like faith and practice into our membership by letter of Commendation. “I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is the servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints….” Churches did exercise some reservation about who they received into their ranks to guard against persecution, false teachers, and false brethren!

                b)  Priscilla (Rom. 16:4-5)

She is the faithful wife of Aquila and a fervent servant of our Lord. As an excellent wife, she stayed by her husband’s side through thick and thin working and serving God together. Priscilla was the faithful other half of an outstanding husband wife ministry team. Accordingly, she gladly used her home for evangelism and was extremely flexible when it can time to move from Rome to Corinth and then to Ephesus. She and her husband are a brilliant example of how God uses couples in the church to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!

My wife and I have had the honor of serving our Lord Jesus all over this country and many places on the continent of Europe. God influenced us over the years with the ministries of some incredible servants of God—husband and wife teams—who were all in for the work of Jesus Christ. We repeatedly witness them serving, sacrificing, struggling, believing God, believing God some more, and triumphing in the Lord again and again. Each of them were impactful to varying degrees, but truly meaningful ministry to be sure. Patrice and I are extremely honored to know and work alongside such choice servants of the Most High. What an inspiration they are!  

                   c) There are Other women mentioned in Romans 16. Among the others Paul names are Mary (v. 6), Tryphena and Tryphosa (v. 12), Persis (v. 12), Rufus's mother (v. 13), and Nereus's sister (v. 15). Junia (v. 7) and Julia (v. 15) may also be women. The mere fact that he mentions so many women is incredible because of the very low social standing women had in the first-century Roman world. But notice, too, what he says about them! It tells us that the Lord and Paul valued these faithful ladies and here Paul expresses his appreciation of them!

                 d) Why Is It Important That Paul Mentioned Women?

                       1) It is Important Because It Proves that Paul Was Not a Male Chauvinist

Paul is sometimes viewed as such because he wrote:                                                                      

                             a) Women are to be in Subjection (Eph. 5:22-24, 33; Col. 3:18)

                             b) Women are to Learn in Silence in the Church (1 Cor. 14:33-35)

                             c) Women are not to Exercise Authority Over the Man in Church (1 Tim. 2: 11-12)

                             d) Women are not to Preach, Teach, or Pray in a Mixed Congregation (1 Cor. 11:3-4; Tit. 2:3-5)

                             e) It is important to note that these things are not chauvinistic, but an acknowledgment of God’s divine order exercised in the life of a church. (Gen. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:2-3; Eph. 5:22; 1 Pet. 3:5-6)            

                       2) It is Important Because It Proves that Women Provided Valuable Service to the Ministries of the Churches and the Missionaries. This was also true of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

Mark 15:40-41, There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;  41, (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. (Also read Luke 8:1-3)

Likewise, there are many incredible servants or God still today who are women. They labor and serve in churches here in the United States and all over the world in varied capacities for Christ’s sake. In many congregation women account for the majority of attendees and participants in the ministry.

                       3) It is Important Because It Demonstrates How Christianity Has Exalted Women from a Lowly Social Status of mere Property or Slaves to Valuable Servants of Christ.  Galatians 3:27-29, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  29, And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Christian Faith does not suppress or devalue women; the first century churches of our Lord were uniquely elevating women in a world that had very little appreciation for the value they bring. All believers, regardless of gender enjoy equal spiritual privileges in Jesus our Lord. In this regard we all are one and the same. While the Christian Faith clearly prescribes different roles in the church and in the home for men and women, this must not be interpreted as a relegation to a lower social standing, but an acknowledgement of God’s greater plan and purpose. The roles God has given for husbands and wives are for the preservation of society, the representation of the Triune Godhead, and for his glory.

          2.  Paul Saluted a Group of Special Friends in Rome.

These are the very first people that Paul mentions there in the church at Rome. No doubt he greatly loved them and cherished their friendship and the great memories they share.

                a)  Priscilla and Aquila (Rom. 16:3–5)

This Was a Relationship of Service. These folks are Paul’s co-laborers in Christ. As stated earlier, this was a devoted husband and wife ministry team who literally risked their lives for Paul and the cause of Christ. Please note just four simple observations about their service to our Lord and learn.          

                     1) The Love of Their Service

Aquila, the husband of Priscilla, was a Jew, a native of Pontus and a tentmaker by trade. Paul first met this couple on his second missionary journey. At that time they were working hard in this occupation at Corinth. He lived with them for a period, since they were of the same trade, and quite possibly led them to the Lord. This was the beginning of their great relationship of love and service to each other. I too love the people who witnessed to me when I was lost, and I am thankful that my position in those days afforded me opportunity to meet people who were open to the gospel of Christ. By using breaks and lunch periods wisely, my professional colleagues were coming to know the Savior.

                     2) The Loyalty of Their Service

Rom. 16:4, “Who for my life laid down their own necks. ...”

Although the New Testament never explicitly says when and how Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul, the occasion may very well have been when Paul was in Ephesus and a riot broke out in reaction to his ministry (Acts 19). His life was certainly in danger there (1 Cor. 16:8, 9; 2 Cor. 1:8–10), and we know from other passages that this wife-husband team was with Paul just before this incident (1 Cor. 16:8, 19).

Precisely when they jeopardized their own lives for Paul's sake is not known; but since the news had evidently spread abroad among all the Gentile churches, some time must have elapsed. Ministry and service does present some dangers and challenges at times; in such situations our truly loyal friends in the Lord emerge with brilliant clarity. The Lord knits our hearts together with such champions of grace in a special way through such challenges. Fair-weather friends do not risk anything for anyone….

                     3) The Labor of Their Service—Initiative

Rom. 16:5, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” This means that an actual congregation of believers met in their house. Church buildings were unknown until the late second century. Earlier, when Priscilla and Aquila lived in Corinth, they had a church in their house (1 Cor. 16: 8, 19). In both Rome and Ephesus this couple took the lead or the initiative to have church meetings in their home. Now they were in Rome, and their home was once more a center of evangelism. Some years later they appear to have returned to Ephesus, for Paul greets them as being there during his second imprisonment, just prior to his martyrdom. (See Acts 18; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19)

                     4) The Leadership of Their Service

Rom. 16:3, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:”

When Paul left Corinth they accompanied him to Ephesus and did the ground work for the gospel in that city so that when Paul arrived back there a little later, it was ripe for revival. While awaiting Paul’s return, they were able to instruct another gifted evangelist, Apollos, in "the way of God more perfectly."

Acts 18:24-28, And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25, This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26, And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27, And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28, For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

I am of the opinion that it takes leaders to reproduce leaders and a servant is required to lead others into impactful service for the Lord. Jesus as a servant of servant prepared and gave to the church servants! Certainly, Servant-leadership was rooted in and exemplified through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Beloved, this is leadership.

                   b)  Epaenetus (Rom. 16:5)

This Was a Relationship of a Spiritual Son. Epaenetus means “praiseworthy.” No doubt this first convert in the province of Achaia was true to his name. Paul speaks of him as my “well-beloved” indicating ‘the one loved by me.’ There is great tenderness and affection for this convert in Christ. He was the first convert that lead to other converts (1 Cor. 16:15). No doubt Paul followed up on him and encouraged him and saw him grow in the Lord.  Of course Epaenetus has moved from Achaia to Rome but notice that he is still in church and still faithfully serving God. I know from experience how encouraging it is to hear of and witness young believers transitioning to new locations and prioritizing plugging in to a good Christ-exalting Bible-preaching church. Praise the Lord for sons in the faith who continue in the Lord and stay in church.

                   c)  Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7)

This Was a Relationship of Suffering.

                     1) They May Have Been Paul’s Biological Family Members      

The word “kinsman” can mean either fellow countryman or blood relative. In this verse it is at least likely that Paul is referring to actual relatives. At the very least they were a part of the tribe of Benjamin like Paul. There are reasons for believing that the great apostle had been disinherited by his family and was no longer welcomed at his ancestral home in Tarsus. If this was so, he must have found special consolation and satisfaction in the fellowship of at least two of his relatives who were not only saved but saved before him and high in the esteem of the apostles.

                     2) They Were Paul’s Fellow Prisoners—Rom. 16:7 “my fellow prisoners,”

When and where these men were imprison with Paul we do not know, but it is certain that they were bold witnesses and suffered for the cause of Christ.  No doubt they share a great bond because they all had entered the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ.

                     3) They Were Well Respected by the Apostles—Rom. 16:7 “who are of note among the apostles,”

It is not clear from the text whether Andronicus and Junia were themselves apostles or simply highly regarded by the apostles. We can clearly see from the New Testament that while the Twelve occupied a special position, the word “apostle” was not restricted to them by the early church. There are instances were Barnabas, James the Lord’s brother, Silas, and others are referred to as apostles (See Acts 14:4, 14; I Thess. 2:6). The word apostles has a special and a generic meaning; ‘messenger’ or ‘sent one.’  In any case, Andronicus and Junia were “of note” in apostolic circles. The thought seems to be that they had the mark of greatness upon them; they were illustrious. God’s hand was on their lives and ministries in powerful and highly impactful ways. Do we not desire the same for ourselves?             

                     4) They Were Saved before Paul—Rom. 16:7, “Who also were in Christ before me”

Perhaps they prayed and trusted God to save their cousin Saul when he was terrorizing the churches.  My how they must have rejoiced when they heard of his salvation and zeal for Christ! Don’t stop praying for the hard cases…the Lord is still able to save modern Sauls! Yes, it is safe to conclude that birds of a feather flock together and while the Apostle Paul is a unique servant of the Lord Jesus, he had some marvelous friends in the ministry. We all need real Christ-filled friends in the Lord’s work. There is no reason to allow ourselves to settle for isolation when we could be vitally connected to others for the gospel sake. Trust the Lord for ministry friends who can help us advance the Lord’s mission. Resolve to become the friend to other servants of the Lord by first showing yourself friendly.

CONCLUSION:   

In closing, I would like to leave you some thoughts from another incredible servant of the Lord, David Livingston of yesteryears.

5189 Livingstone Thinks It No Sacrifice

“People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of the great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own reward of healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?

“Away with such a word, such a view, and such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering or danger now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause and cause the spirit to waver and sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”—David Livingstone^[b]

Like the Apostle Paul, we too must honor, appreciates, and celebrate those servants who have greatly impacted our lives and ministry in the church, at home, and professionally.  Have you expressed your appreciation for someone that has been a help to you along your Christian walk and service lately?  It will be good for you and it will be a blessing to them if you did. We all need each other to accomplish the work of God.

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^[a] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1178). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

^[b] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1178). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.