April 14, Romans 16
If you’ve ever participated in a mission trip, you probably understand the common sentiment among missionaries that a part of their heart stays with the people on the mission field. The joy of seeing new believers come to Christ, the encouragement given and received working side by side with local believers and the shared burdens of challenging ministry create a bond that time or distance cannot dissolve.
If missionaries leave a part of their heart wherever they serve, it’s a good thing Paul had such a great heart. His converts, fellow workers and helpers were scattered across the breadth of the Roman Empire. Do you have maps in your Bible? Those lines that chart Paul’s missionary journeys represent and connect not only places, but people, thousands of people, along Paul’s route. A list of names such as the one in today’s portion reminds us of how many lives were impacted for all eternity by Paul’s zealous service.
Some of the names among the greetings we recognize from other places in the text— Timothy, Prisca and Aquila. These men and women are dear to his heart and vital to his ministry. Others named here would have been lost in antiquity if not for Paul’s mention of them—Phoebe, Urbanus, Staychs, Tryphena, Tryphosa and all the others. Don’t allow the difficulty of pronouncing the names make you skip over Paul’s descriptions of these people: beloved, kinsman, fellow worker, fellow prisoner, servant, mother, brother, sister, saints, holy. He says these people worked hard, were his patrons, his hosts, had risked their necks for his life and were all in the Lord. The sweet and precious bond of this loving family that was both widespread and close-knit is conveyed in every line. Have you ever made a list and expressed your appreciation for cherished fellow believers?
Against that background of loving fellowship, Paul issued a strong warning and a pointed reminder to bring this letter to a close. He warned his readers to watch out for people who would divide this unity. He told them to avoid those who put obstacles in the way of others who would come to Christ through the simplicity of the gospel. He accused such people of serving themselves instead of the Lord. Because these divisive people prey on the naive, Paul wanted his readers to be wise about
good and innocent about evil. Although it is discouraging to see Satan’s helpers at work, disrupting harmony among Christians, Paul assured the believers the God of peace would crush Satan under the feet of the saints. The accuser and adversary will not win.
Finally, Paul reminded us that God gets all the glory. Our strength comes from God. God has revealed the secret of the gospel to all nations, replacing a system of convicting law with a gospel of saving grace. Our obedience is rooted in faith and love, not fear and despair. For those reasons and more, the glory is all his.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—April 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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