ROMANS 36
We will begin this lesson in Romans 16:1 "I commend unto you
Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at
Cenchrea:" Romans 16:2 "That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh
saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of
you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."
Succourer means a patron. In many of Paul's writings, such as
this, we see that many women ministered with him. Paul calls her his
sister, she is not his sister in the flesh, but in the ministry.
Notice, also, that Paul says to help her in her business. In the first
verse, he had told us that her business was as servant in the church.
We see from this that, Paul is saying to help her in her ministry. She
had been a great help to Paul, as well as others. Notice in this next
Scripture in Jesus' own words what He feels toward these workers.
Matthew 10:40 " He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that
receiveth me receiveth him that sent me." You see, when you receive a
servant of God {male or female} you are, in fact, receiving the God
that sent them.
Romans 16:3 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ
Jesus:"
We know that these two had befriended Paul before. In fact, Paul
lived with them and worked as a tentmaker while he ministered. Notice
in the following Scripture that, they had a church in their home.
I Corinthians 16:19 "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and
Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in
their house." The next Scripture will show that they brought the word
in all truth to those who would hear. Acts 18:26 "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." These two were fellow workers with Paul on
several occasions.
Romans 16:4 'Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto
whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the
Gentiles."
Here, we see Paul giving a glowing report on the sincerity of
these two who had helped him. Paul says that, they even put themselves
in danger to save him. John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Romans 16:5 "Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house.
Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia
unto Christ."
Here, again, we see a mention of the church which was in their
home. It seems that Epaenetus was the first one saved under Paul's
ministry in Achaia. It would be a natural thing for Paul to inquire of
his convert. Acts 18:27 "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:" We
see for certain that Paul ministered in Achaia from this Scripture.
I Corinthians 16:15 "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of
Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have
addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)" This Scripture
shows the good fruits of the church that Paul started in Achaia.
Romans 16:6 "Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us."
It is difficult to know for sure which Mary this is, since there
were so many with this name who were followers of Jesus. This just
shows, again, here, that many women helped with Paul's ministry.
Romans 16:7 "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my
fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in
Christ before me."
Very little is written in the Bible about Adronicus. A history
book states that he became bishop of Pannonia. His name means man-
conquering. He and Junia seemed to be blood relations of Paul. It also
appears that they were probably converts of Jesus because they were
believers before Paul. Since they were counted as apostles they were
probably part of the 70 that Jesus sent out by twos. All of this is
just guessing, since we don't have much in the Bible to clarify this.
Romans 16:8 "Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord."
We know no more of this person who was a Christian at Rome,
except that Paul particularly loved him or her.
Romans 16:9 "Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my
beloved."
Urbane means polite or of the city. Stachys is said by historians
{not the Bible} to have been bishop of Byzantium. Tradition, also, has
him to be one of the 70 disciples.
Romans 16:10 "Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them
which are of Aristobulus' [household]."
Just the fact that Apelles was approved of Christ tells us that
he was probably one of the 70 sent out to minister by Jesus. Some
historians believe he was the bishop at Smyrna. Aristobulus is another
that is only mentioned here in the Bible, but seems to have been in
the early converts to Christianity. Since his household is mentioned,
probably his whole house received the Lord as Saviour. His name means
counselor. Historians say that he was a brother to Barnabus.
Romans 16:11 "Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of
the [household] of Narcissus, which are in the Lord."
Herodian here is a blood relative of Paul and very little other
than this is known of him and even less is known of Narcisus.
Romans 16:12 "Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the
Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord."
Tryphena and Tryphosa are not mentioned anywhere else. All we
know is that they worked for the Lord. The only thing we know about
Persis is that this was a woman who was a labourer for the Lord.
Romans 16:13 "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and
mine."
From this Scripture, it seems that Rufus was Paul's brother,
because he says his mother and mine. There is no historic record of
this, however.
Romans 16:14 "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas,
Hermes, and the brethren which are with them."
The only thing we know about Asyncritus is that the name means
incomparable. Phlegon means burning. Historians say he was one of the
original 70 disciples of Christ. Hermas is celebrated as a saint on
May 9th by the Romans. Hermas means mercury. Patrobas means life of
his father. Little else is known of any of these Christians that Paul
sent greetings to.
Romans 16:15 "Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his
sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them."
Philologus means fond of talk. There were many Julias at this
time, and no one knows for sure which one she is. Nothing more is
known of Nereus or Olympas.
Romans 16:16 "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches
of Christ salute you."
We notice, here, that this kiss was to be a holy kiss. This was
not a passionate kiss, but a friendly kiss. Paul is explaining how the
church must be together in Christ. We will list 4 of the Scriptures
that speak of this greeting with a holy kiss. I Corinthians 16:20 "All
the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss."
II Corinthians 13:12 "Greet one another with an holy kiss."
I Thessalonians 5:26 "Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss." I
Peter 5:14 "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace [be]
with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen." If we were to do this
today in our churches, people would accuse us of being forward. If we
are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, we should love each other.
Notes
Questions 36
1. Phebe was a servant at the church where?
2. What business that Paul mentioned, was she probably involved in?
3. Succourer means what?
4. When a minister of God, male or female, is received who are they
really receiving?
5. How did Paul know Priscilla and Aquilla?
6. How do we know that they were strong in the Lord?
7. Just how far had Priscilla and Aquilla gone to protect Paul?
8. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his ____ for
his friends.
9. Who was the firstfruits of Achaia?
10. What good addiction is mentioned in 1 Corinthians ch.16 v.15?
11. What does Adronicus mean?
12. What does Urbane mean?
13. What statement shows us that Apelles was one of the original 70
disciples?
14. Who is a blood relative of Paul in verse 11?
15. What makes it appear that Rufus was Paul's brother?
16. What does Phlegon mean?
17. Who is celebrated as a saint by the Romans on May 9th?
18. What does Hermas mean?
19. What does Patrobas mean?
20. How does Paul tell them to greet the Christians?
Notes
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