Greeting the Members in Christ

Romans 16:1-16

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 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. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 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. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

This passage from Romans 16:1-16 speaks of Paul’s personal greetings and salutations to the members in Christ. Paul commends, recommends and salutes every one who was in his mission for Christ and building of the Lord’s kingdom. He acknowledges that which he received from the members of Christ as it is the least one could do as a person of Christ. He uses words of deep appreciation to everyone who labored with him in Christ. This urges us to be as sensitive as Paul was in applauding a good work in Christ either by serving or laboring with zeal. We can see Hebrews 13:20-21 in live action here. It says, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” All that Paul is commending are the ones who are perfected in every good work to do His will. It is a beautiful picture of how we brothers and sisters in Christ should edify each other and dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1) and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). As you read through the blogpost, take particular note of the bold words for they speak about how each of us can take up the work of the Lord in our little ways and therewith be content just knowing that the Lord is glorified through our little deeds done in the simplicity of heart and humility of mind and in the Spirit of God!

How well Paul is commending Phebe, his sister in Christ to the church at Romans to receive her in the Lord and to take good care of her by assisting her in whatever business she needs their help. Paul is giving a wonderful report of Phebe as she has been a succor or helper of many at Cenchrea and more importantly of Paul himself. She who was a helper to many and a servant in the church will be well received and served by many because the Lord honors His vessels and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

He is instructing the Roman church to greet Priscilla and Aquila, a wonderful couple who were Paul’s helpers in Christ Jesus. These two have laid down their own necks for Paul’s life and not only does Paul give thanks to them, but also all the churches of the gentiles. Here we see a couple who love the Lord so deeply that they are following the commandment of the Lord to love one another just as He loved us. John 15:12-13 says, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” It appears to me that these two were ministering to the church that meets in their house. This reminds me of a few families in a little town in India where I lived for about twelve years and the few families opened up their houses for the church to meet in their houses. What a great way to serve the Lord!

Paul wanted them to salute his well-beloved Epaenetus who was the firstfruits of Achacia unto Christ. Look, how well Paul remembers each person and how wonderfully well he conveys his love for his fellow members in Christ. Paul asks them to greet Mary who bestowed much labor on Paul and his company. Mary seems to have bestowed much labor on not just Paul but also the members who were with him. To me Mary is a virtuous woman who stretched forth her hands to the needy ministers of Christ. Paul also is saluting Andronicus and Junia, his kinsmen and fellow-prisoners who are well known to the apostles that were in Christ before Paul. Paul greets Amplias his beloved in the Lord. He salutes Urbane, their helper in Christ, Stachys his beloved and Apelles approved in Christ, those that are of Aristobulus' household and Herodion his kinsman. He greets them that are of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord, Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord, the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. Look at the words he speaks of Persis! She was one of the few who labored much in the Lord. He salutes Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Watch how he considers Rufus’ mother as his’. Rufus’ mother must have ministered to Paul and taken care of him like her own son Rufus. He salutes Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them, Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

At last he asks the Romans to salute one another with an holy kiss. This kind of kiss is holy and is simply contrary to the kiss of Judas. This kiss is sacred and divine and free of any contempt or selfish gain and is full of the right motive. He also sends the greetings from the churches of Christ to the Romans.

These verses caught my eye the other day and they pleased me greatly to learn of how wonderfully well Paul greeted all his fellow Christians and how well they loved each other with the pure love that is undefiled. Each member served the Lord with a great zeal and was content in the servanthood for Christ rather than seeking selfish gain or position! We too should look at these saints that Paul is referring to and learn from their example and more so from Paul’s. Paul addresses each and every one by name and commends them of their labor in Christ and recognizes them as well meaningful brethren who were his fellow laborers in Christ.

Next: Those who Cause Divisions and Offences