Paul Greets His Roman Coworkers

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Paul Greets His Roman Coworkers

Date: Feb. 12, 2020

Passage

Romans 16:1-16 (ESV)

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 16:16

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

1. Priscilla, Aquila and others (1-5)

The last part of Paul's letter to the Roman Christians contained greetings to many coworkers in Rome. Many of these had helped him in his ministry. Phoebe may have been the person who carried Paul's letter to Rome. She must have been a great servant of the church in Cenchrea, for Paul commends her as a saint and asks the Romans to give her any help she needed. Paul met Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth and they travelled with Paul on some of his journeys. They became invaluable coworkers to him, for they risked their very lives for him. He and the church owed them a great debt of honor.

2. Many other coworkers (6-16)

The list here is long. Even a great man like Paul needed many coworkers to help him in his ministry. Some were relatives, like Andronicus and Junia. Others were dear friends, like Epenetus. Some of them were faithful women, like Tryphena and Tryphosa. We don't know much about any of them. But they are greatly honored by Paul. We should learn that we need many friends and coworkers as we do God's work. We should honor each of them.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who are my coworkers. Help me to honor and encourage them always.

One Word: Greet one another with affection

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Today's Question

What is creation?

See answer and references