Romans 16:1-20

Remember 2 Tim. 3:16-17?  ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness that the man of God might be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.  You might wonder how a list of names you can barely pronounce and people you don’t know can be profitable.  Let me make a suggestion or two.

This is somewhat of a “membership list” of the church at Rome.  It’s not everyone but those known by Paul.  It includes fellow-workers, long-time converts, dear friends, relatives, fellow-prisoners, hard working women, slaves, couples, Jewish Christians, well-known households, Christians from unbelieving families, single young men who were serving Christ.  This is not a homogenous group of baby boomers or Millennials or middle class whites or low income minorities or whatever other category you might devise.  This is the church that honors Christ who died for all and will someday be honored by people from every tribe, language, people and nation.  What does your church look like?

Listen to how he speaks of these people.  He loves them and speaks well of them.  Phoebe (who probably carried Paul’s letter to the Roman believers) is a servant to be received and helped.  Priscilla and Aquila (we know from Acts 18:1-3) are appreciated by many.  Epaenetus and others are beloved, Mary worked hard, Adronicus and Junia are well-known “among the apostles”, etc.  

How do you describe those you worship with?  Is it “he likes the Broncos” or “they homeschool” or “she wore a new dress last Sunday?”  Or is there someone we would call “beloved?”  Do we recognize people according to the true and deeper spiritual relationship we have as “in the Lord?”  Do we see “fellow-workers” or those who “have labored in the Lord?”  It’s not just a matter of words.  Paul no longer viewed people according to the flesh but as those who shared his place in Christ (2 Cor. 5:16).  Think about this.  

Our distinctive relationship with fellow-believers calls us to be a distinctive congregation.  We must receive one another as Christ received us (15:7).  At the same time we are urged (16:17-19) to look out for those who cause division through false doctrine.  There are those who continue to love the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17; they serve their own belly).  Their ministries usually are easy to listen to and belong to because of their “smooth words and flattering speech.”  The world is full of great speakers who promise an easier life (more money, less sickness, etc.).  The message of Christ is fundamentally a call to follow Him to the cross (Matt. 16:24-27)!  We are to receive one another openly while avoiding those who do not serve Christ.  Let us be wise in doing good.  Let us be innocent (not experts, not experienced) concerning evil.