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.
