YEAR 1, WEEK 23, Day 2, Tuesday, 4 June 2024

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=romans+16

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 4 June 2024:

Romans 16:3-16 – Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 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. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

These verses are often overlooked, but they reveal how important relationships were to Paul. Paul’s heart was for his brothers and sisters in Christ. What united them as a family? Faith in Jesus Christ and shared challenges, hard work and various life trials. We build relationships by sharing Christ together and going through real life together in a mutually supportive way, putting our lives on the line for others as Prisca and Aquila did for Paul, and taking each other in as family as Rufus’ mother did for Paul. How many people in your church do you consider to be the closest, most trusted people in your life?

Romans 16:12-13 – Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

“Paul’s letter to the Romans is Scripture for us even though we are not the original audience of this epistle. It can be hard to remember this as we make our way through the many personal greetings that the Apostle appends to the book of Romans, as reading a list of names can get tedious when they are people who are unknown to us. Taking the time to go through these names, however, gives us great insight into the earliest history of the church, insight that allows us to draw important theological and practical conclusions for our situation today.

In today’s passage, Paul extends greetings to Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Rufus (Rom. 16:12-13). As is the case with many of the other individuals named in Romans 16, we do not know much—if anything—about most of these people. But we do get clues from their names. Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis were all female names in ancient Roman culture, and they were often given to slaves. Thus, all three of them were likely slaves or former slaves. Tryphaena and Tryphosa may have been sisters, as families in the ancient world often gave their children names that were based on the same root, in this case Tryph-. The name Persis comes from the word translated as “Persia,” and that may mean that Persis was a female slave who was taken from Persia. In any case, the Apostle singles them all out for working “in the Lord” (v. 12). Persis is spoken of as having done this in the past tense, which may indicate that she was elderly at the time Paul wrote the epistle and no longer physically able to serve to the extent that she once did.

We get a bit more information about Rufus, who was “chosen in the Lord” (v. 13). Paul likely does not mean “chosen unto salvation” here, as that designation would presumably apply to everyone he greets and would not set Rufus apart. Instead, the Apostle likely means that Rufus was a “choice servant” of Christ, one who had proven to be particularly valuable in service to the Lord. We do not know what prompted Paul to say this about Rufus, but there is a possible connection between Rufus and Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus’ cross on the way to Golgotha. We read in Mark 15:21 that Simon had a son named Rufus. Could this one, who carried the cross of our Lord, have been Rufus’ father? It is possible, and if so, there is little doubt that the firsthand story of Simon would have played a great part in shaping Rufus’ faith.

In today’s passage, Paul also commends Rufus’ mother, who was a “mother” to him as well. She evidently showed great care and concern for him at some point during his ministry. As believers in Christ, we should be eager to serve other Christians in such ways, acting as spiritual fathers or spiritual mothers to those who need us. Such work is praiseworthy in God’s sight, and it brings Him great glory.” (Ligonier Ministries)

Romans 16:17 — I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles.

Paul considered divisive people to be a threat to the church and to the mission of reconciliation.

Romans 16:18 — For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.

Divisive people are self-serving, self-absorbed, selfish, and ungodly, though they often vocalize Christian intent in their self-righteousness.

Romans 16:19 — For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Are you known by everyone for your obedience to the Lord? Are you wise to what is good and innocent to what is evil? What a great way to live life.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 4 June 2024: Today, make a list of your closest Christian friendships, and take definitive steps to cultivate those relationships. Invest in your family members and in your church relationships to build up your Christian family. Romans 12:10 – “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Proverbs 27:10, Romans 16:3-16)