Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the last theme of Romans above from Rom 16:1, 2 and following. Indeed, the apostle taught in Romans 12 what Christian consecration and service should be. This chapter shows us the practice in those dear believers in Rome to whom the Apostle addresses his greetings. Indeed, there is not a single act of service that we render to our Lord, which is not written down in His book; and not only the substance of the act, but also the way in which it is done…”. Thus, in Rom 16:12, Tryphene, Tryphosis, and Persis, the beloved, are not named together, for if the first two worked in the Lord, the third had ‘worked a lot’ and their services are not confused. For everything is appreciated and recorded by the One who is not mistaken.
Here we find his “companions of work” Prisca and Aquilas (Acts 18:1-28). Because the assembly simply met in their house (what a contrast with the rich basilicas built since then in Rome). Greetings in Christ help to strengthen the bonds of fraternal communion. We should therefore not neglect to pass on those that have been entrusted to us. And the end of the Apostle’s public activity, as Scripture tells us, is striking. Indeed, in more than one respect, it resembles the end of the service of its Lord and Master. Like him, Paul was also delivered by the Jews to the power of the Gentiles; abandoned by all, he followed a lonely path. Despite his tireless efforts day and night, the work caused him many worries, for the enemy seemed to triumph. But despite everything, God fulfilled His counsel of grace. Paul had given testimony to the Jews and to the nations; the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, the priests and the people, the governors and the king, Agrippa, even the emperor in Rome were to hear from his mouth, the powerful voice of truth. For the witness himself was going to be removed from the public scene and his activity would cease. He no longer had a place in the East; he would stay in the West as a prisoner: these were God’s ways of his servant. As unfathomable as they may be, wisdom commands them and faith admires them.
Paul had never been to Rome before, but he knew many believers who were dear to him. He addresses affectionate greetings to them in the first half of this chapter. How touching it is to note that this tireless servant kept the memory of every service of love performed towards him personally or in the work of the Lord. In the greetings he addresses to each brother and sister, he mentions it, adding the expression of his gratitude. What encouragement for these beloved of the Lord! How sweet is the bond of love united the hearts of all those who love and serve Jesus! Together they form a family and walk towards the same goal, each grateful with affection for all the good that is in others, for love knows neither selfishness nor jealousy.
Among the people whom the apostle greets, there were certainly some who had been employed by God to bring the precious gospel of grace to the great capital. Perhaps they were Jews, who, for their business or other reasons, had come to Rome; some Christians who lived there may have come to know the truth during their travels in Greece and Palestine. The apostle’s heart was filled with what he called “his gospel” (this mystery remained constantly in him in all its freshness) and he could do no other than to maintain it with his readers, even for a moment. This mystery, as he says,”To him who can strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in accordance with the revelation of the mystery hidden for centuries, but manifested now by the writings of the prophets, according to the command of the eternal God, and brought to the knowledge of all nations, that they may obey the faith (Rom 16:25-26).
The Spirit of God had in previous centuries kept silent about these things. But the prophets of the old covenant had spoken before “of the sufferings that were to be the part of Christ and the glories that would follow.” And God’s thoughts about Christ and the Assembly had never been revealed; they were only by the prophetic writings of the New Testament. How much this statement emphasizes the importance of the Apostle’s epistles! For these men were not only god’s envoys, but also prophets. They laid the foundation on which we were built (Eph 2:20).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Ministry of women, compassion shown in a special way
-Hospitality to the Prophets 2 Kings 4:10 Let us make a small upper room with walls, and put a bed, a table, a seat, and a candlestick in it for him, so that he may retire there when he comes to us.
-Kindness to the poor Pr 31:20 She reaches out to the unfortunate, She reaches out to the needy.
-Contribution to the welfare of Christ Mt 27:55-56 There were many women there who looked from afar; who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, to serve him. 56 Among them were Mary magdalene, Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
-Anointing of Christ Mk 14:3 As Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman entered, while he was at the table. She held an alabaster vase, which contained a perfume of pure nard of great price; and, having broken the vase, she poured out the perfume on Jesus’ head.
-Washing of the Savior’s feet Lk 7:37-38 And behold, a sinful woman who was in the city, having known that he was at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster vase full of perfume, 38 and stood behind, at the feet of Jesus. She was crying; and soon she wet his feet with her tears, then wiped them with her hair, fucked them, and anointed them with perfume.
-Service of the Church Rom 16:1-2 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is deaconess of the Church of Cenchrées, 2 that you may receive her into our Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in the things where she would need you, for she has given help to many and to me.
- Spiritual reputation
Acts 16:2 The brothers of Lystra and Icon bore a good witness to him. Rom 1:8 I first give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ, about all of you, that your faith is renowned throughout the world. Rom 16:19 For you, your obedience is known to all, so I rejoice in you, and I desire that you be wise in concerned to good and pure in regard to evil. Heb 11:2 For possessing it, the elders obtained a favorable testimony.
- Wisdom of God
Ps 104:24 How many of your works are, O Lord! You did them all wisely. The earth is filled with your possessions. Pr 3:19 It was by wisdom that Jehovah founded the earth, It was by intelligence that he strengthened the heavens; Dn 2:21 It is he who changes times and circumstances, who overthrows and establishes kings, who gives wisdom to the wise and science to those who have intelligence. Rom 11:33 O depth of God’s wealth, wisdom, and science! How unfathomable his judgments are, and his ways incomprehensible! For 1 Co 1:25 For God’s folly is wiser than men, and God’s weakness is stronger than men.
- Secret things
Dt 29:29 The hidden things are to Jehovah, our God; the revealed things are ours and our children, in perpetuity, so that we may put into practice all the words of this law. Pr 25:2 The glory of God is to hide things; The glory of kings is to probe things. Dn 12:9 He answered: Go, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed until the end time. Mk 13:32 As for the day or the hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Rev 5:3 And no one in heaven, neither on earth nor under the earth, could open the book or look at it. Rev 10:4 And when the seven thunders had made their voices heard, I was going to write; and I heard from heaven a voice that said: Seal what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it.
From all the above, we note that Jehovah God could not have had in mind to reveal the mystery of Christ and the Assembly under the economy of the law. Only after Christ’s work on the cross and his glorification at the right hand of majesty in heaven were all the conditions for the revelation of this mystery “according to the command of the eternal God” fulfilled. He was then manifested and given to know by prophetic writings to all nations, for the obedience of faith. Then God’s temporal ways were related to Israel and the earth. For his eternal thoughts, in relation to the mystery, are now given to know to all nations, and our glorious privilege is to receive them with simple faith and to contemplate them in a spirit of praise. Throughout this epistle, we have been able to contemplate the depths of riches, wisdom and knowledge of God. It warmed our hearts and showed us how limited our knowledge and intelligence are. It has also awakened in us the desire to no longer know only in part, but perfectly, not only by faith, but also by sight. What remains for us to do in closing, except to sing in our hearts, with the great apostle of the nations, the hymn of praise saying: “Now, to him who is powerful for us (you) to strengthen … to the God who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory eternally! Amen”. Our prayers accompany you all, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow on “greetings and thanksgiving, exhortation to unity, the men God has chosen.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.