Introduction

This morning, we get to study a one-of-a-kind passage of Scripture. Paul mentions 24 people by name, two more who are anonymous, and 6 groups of people. There’s nothing else quite like it. You may think, “Why should I care about a bunch of random greetings from 2,000 years ago?” But there is a story of grace behind each life, and we can learn a lot from their examples and Paul’s love (read).

I really enjoyed my study this week because I love stories, and we can piece together quite a bit about these people from what Paul says. We know it is a diverse list. It includes highly gifted ministers and others who served in the shadows. Some were wealthy, and some were poor. There are Jewish names and Gentile names. Most are men, but for his time, Paul includes a shocking number of women—10 in all.

Paul demonstrates that the gospel is for all kinds of people. God loves you, no matter where you come from, no matter what you’ve done, and no matter what you seemingly have to offer. He can save you, transform you, and use you.

Then Christ brings us together into a beautiful community where we are all equal before the cross. Again, Paul illustrates this so well. Yes, Paul was the great apostle to the Gentiles, and outside Priscilla and Aquilla no one else in this list gets any other meaningful attention in the NT. But these seemingly ordinary people were Paul’s friends. He loved them and considered them essential partners in ministry.

So, this is not merely an irrelevant list of dead people. Instead, it is a wonderful testimony to the breadth of God’s grace and to the fact that we are friends and teammates. Praise God for that! We can enjoy each other and lean on each other. So, I want to challenge you to follow Paul’s example. Share your life with the saints. To do this, you must imitate 4 examples from this passage. First…

I.  Steward your gifts well (vv. 1–4).

Paul gives the most attention to the first 3 names in the list. They are wealthy and gifted. But they were used their gifts for the church not themselves.

Phoebe: This is the only time Phoebe is mentioned in Scripture, but she was a choice servant. She was a member of the church at Cenchrea. Cenchrea was a port city only 8 miles from Corinth. So, Phoebe’s church was probably close to the Corinthian church. Paul probably spent a lot of time with them during his stays in Corinth.

In fact, Paul probably stayed at her house quite a bit during those stays. The word translated helper in v. 2 normally describes a patron or benefactor. It especially describes someone who provided housing, financial help, and even legal aid to travelers. Therefore, Phoebe was probably wealthy and had a large home.

But she didn’t selfishly keep it to herself. She used it for the ministry. Just imagine how she blessed Paul by giving him a comfortable place to stay, good food, and other things during his long stays in Corinth. She was a huge blessing and to many others, as Paul notes.

Furthermore, v. 1 calls her “a servant of the church.” I must say there is a fair amount of disagreement over the translation, servant, because the Greek word is diakonos. Is Paul saying that Phoebe is simply a servant, who did a lot of ministry (that’s how the term is normally used in the NT), or did she hold the title of deacon (As the term is used a couple times in the NT)?

It’s a valid and complex debate, and we’ll get into it eventually during our Sunday night series on manhood and womanhood. For now, I’ll just say that I don’t think it’s a problem for churches to have deaconesses, as long as they honor 1 Timothy 2 regarding women not “teaching or exercising authority over a man.” However, I don’t believe that the evidence here or in 1 Timothy 3:11 is compelling enough to say deaconess was an office.

Regardless, Paul clearly intends to say that Phoebe was doing tremendous ministry in her church. She served her church family well. And vv. 1–2 clearly imply that Paul entrusted her with safely delivering Romans to the church at Rome. Apparently, she had other business in Rome, and Paul asked her to carry this all-important epistle. It’s a big responsibility.

So, what a challenging example. God richly blessed Phoebe, but she didn’t spend it on herself. Rather, she saw it as God’s gift to be used in his service. She stewarded God’s blessings well. So, be like Phoebe. Be known for your service. Be generous. Use what God has given to bless others.

And ladies, especially single ladies, be encouraged that you can make a dramatic impact in the church by just faithfully stewarding your gifts and opportunities. You don’t have to be a pastor or preach to big crowds to make a difference. Love people, be generous with your home, and serve the saints. God can use you mightily.

Prisca and Aquilla: Aquilla and Priscilla were two of Paul’s best friends. They were Jewish Christians from Rome, but they were forced to leave when Claudius Caesar expelled all the Jews from Rome in AD 49. Paul met them in Corinth, and they became immediate friends.

Aquilla and Priscilla must have been mature, godly believers with great ministry capacity. They became important co-laborers. They even traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus. Verse 4 says that at some point they, “risked their own necks” to save Paul. I’d love to know the full story. The most likely scenario is in Acts 19. A violent mob at Ephesus rallied against the church. It’s possible they grabbed Paul, and they would have killed him. But Aquilla and Priscilla confronted the mob and saved Paul. Whatever they did, it was dangerous and bold. They were courageous, godly friends.

And they were committed to the ministry. They played a vital role in establishing the Ephesian church. One of the congregations met in their home, which tells us they were fairly wealthy. And they used it, and they used their maturity to disciple believers. They even discipled Apollos, who went on to have a great impact throughout the Gentile church. They really were the kind of people every pastor dreams of having at his side.

Therefore v. 4 says, “To whom…” That is an incredible statement. They didn’t have Paul’s apostolic calling or Apollos’s charismatic gifts. But they were mature believers who faithfully used what God had given them, and they made a dramatic impact that sounded throughout Achaia and Asia.

And when Claudius Caesar died, they moved back to Rome and kept serving. Verse 5 says they hosted one of the Roman congregations.

So, be like Aquila and Priscilla. People like them are absolute gold. We need mature believers who know the Word, love people, and invest in them. We need people with the courage to risk their necks to help the saints. We need people who are generous with their homes and with everything God has provided.

I’m so thankful that we have a lot of those people. I know ministry demanding, but you are making an impact. We always need more Aquilas and Priscillas. For some of you, your next step is to become this kind of person or this kind of family. Don’t waste your stewardship. Develop your gifts and invest them for eternity. You won’t regret it. The 2^nd example from this passage is…

II.  Serve faithfully.

Verses 5–15 fly through a long series of names and churches. And Paul commends several for their faithful service. I love that because none of these people are famous. Most of them are not pastors or great leaders. Some of them were slaves or women, but they faithfully used the gifts God had given to make an impact that sounded all the way to Paul. The first is…

Mary (v. 6): This is all we know about this Mary. Her name was probably Since she is mentioned alone, she was probably a widow or single for some other reason. So, unless she was rich (which Mary seemingly wasn’t), the Roman world wouldn’t have cared much at all for her.

But Jesus set a very different tone during his ministry, and Christianity has always honored and relied on lady ministers. So, even though Paul had probably never met Mary, he had heard about her impact. She “has worked hard for you.”

What a great legacy for you to leave behind. No matter who you are or what gifts you have, you can work hard, and you can make a difference that people notice and appreciate.

Andronicus and Junia (v. 7): Andronicus and Junia are almost certainly a married couple, and they were an impressive couple at that. Paul calls them his “countrymen,” so we know they were Jews, and Paul even says they were saved before him. So, they were mature, older believers.

Not only that, they “are outstanding among the apostles.” Paul seems to be using the Greek term apostolos, not for the office of apostle, but in the more general sense of a messenger. Therefore, Andronicus and Junia were well known as gospel messengers or missionaries.

That makes sense since they were also “fellow prisoners.” Again, I’d love to know more, but they had spent time in jail for preaching the gospel. They courageously preached the gospel to the point of great personal suffering.

Their little story here is a reminder that the church is built on many great servants of the Lord who are mostly anonymous. Sure, God dramatically uses people like Paul, Charles Spurgeon, or D. L. Moody, but for the most the church is a team of awesome but anonymous servants just faithfully serving Christ and making an impact where they are for his glory.

It’s a privilege to be on that team. You can be a good teammate and make a difference where God has you. Keep serving faithfully. God sees even if no one else does, and you are making an impact.

Urbanus (v. 9): Two things stand out about Urbanus. First, Urbanus is a slave name. So, almost assuredly, he was not an educated man of means. He was a very ordinary guy. But second, he was Paul’s “fellow worker in Christ.” He was Paul’s teammate.

So, just because you are uneducated, poor, broken, or aging does not mean you are nonessential. God gives gifts to every believer. You are essential to the team, and God can use you.

Apelles (v. 10): Paul is probably referring to some major test or trial that Apelles endured, and that he passed with flying colors. It was hard, but Apelles did so well that Paul heard about it from Corinth.

Aren’t you thankful for those stories of grace? We always hate to watch people suffer, but one of the great blessings of the church is that we get a front row seat to watch the grace of God shine through as ordinary saints endure faithfully.

God can use you in your suffering. Many of you are a great blessing. Keep going. And to the rest of us, make sure you see those examples, pray for them, encourage them, and learn from them.

Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis (v. 12): Tryphaena and Tryphosa were probably sisters. Persis was possibly their mother. All three women had slave names, so they surely had humble roots, and they were ordinary ladies. But they had a testimony of working hard for the Lord that reached Paul. So, work hard wherever God has you. You can make a far greater impact than you probably realize.

Rufus’s Mother (v. 13): We’ll come back to Rufus, but notice that Paul says his mother also acted as a mother to Paul. Again, I’d love more specifics. But we can imagine a regular lady. She didn’t have any great talents of gifts, but she helped keep Paul going. In so doing, she played a huge role on the team.

Of course, I’m no Paul, but I can testify that some of you have played a crucial role in my life and ministry by your encouraging words and acts of service. I’m sure Pastor Tim would say the same. We’re all a team. Don’t underestimate the impact of hospitality and simple acts of kindness.

In sum, this church was full of humble servants who made a huge impact by faithfully doing God’s will. The church is a team. We need everyone doing their part. You have a role on to fulfill. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have. Serve faithfully. The 3^rd example from this passage is…

III.  Love all the saints.

There’s quite a few more people in this list that don’t receive any particular commendation. They’re clearly faithful members of the church, and I’m sure they were all doing their part. But for the most part, they are ordinary saints, regular Joes and Janes. But Paul knew about them, they were his friends, and he wanted them to know he loved them.

In so doing, Paul reminds us that we are all friends in the church, and we should be equal friends at that. There’s no caste system in the church, or at least there shouldn’t be. We are all equal at the foot of the cross. We are brothers and sisters. We are friends. For example, Paul says in v. 8…

Ampliatus (v. 8): Ampliatus was a common slave name. This is an ordinary guy. But he is still Paul’s friend. Paul calls him “my beloved in the Lord.” Isn’t that great? I hope that you love people like that and take the time to tell them. Imagine how encouraging it must have been for a slave like Ampliatus to see that Paul sent him a personal comment in Romans. Let people know that you care. Tell them you appreciate them. Paul does it again in v. 9.

Stachys (v. 9b): Again, Paul just wants this ordinary guy to know he cares.

Aristobulus’s House (v. 10b): What’s interesting here is that Paul doesn’t greet Aristobulus; he only greets his household. Most likely, God had saved the slaves in this wealthy home. Paul had heard about gospel’s work in this dark place. He loved these people, and he wanted to express it. Praise God that the gospel can work anywhere. Praise God that a great Jewish apostle can be friends with Gentile slaves. That was unheard of in Paul’s day except in the church by the grace of God. Verse 11 mentions another house of slaves.

Narcissus’s House (v. 11): Claudius Caesar had a good friend named Narcissus. It’s possible that these were his slaves. The gospel has no boundaries, and again it is not above anyone. Paul loved these slaves too, and he wanted them to know it. Notice v. 13.

Rufus (v. 13): What’s fascinating here is that Mark 15:21 says that the Simon who carried Jesus’ cross had a son named Rufus. Why would Mark include that detail? Since Mark wrote from Rome, he’s probably noting that his friend Rufus’s dad actually carried Jesus’ cross. So, it seems that Simon didn’t just walk away. His family became Christians. Rufus and his mother were more of Paul’s good friends.

Again, the gospel is powerful. It can save people anywhere. So, share the gospel and watch it work. And enjoy the friendship the gospel creates among us. It is a wonderful gift.

Two Churches (vv. 14–15): Finally, vv. 14–15 greet two more house churches in Rome (read). Considering the fact that Paul had never visited Rome, it’s incredible how many names he knows. I wonder if Paul wrote back and forth with Aquilla and Priscilla quite a bit.

Somehow, Paul was getting lots of details about the church and about the people in the church. And he didn’t quickly forget them. He remembered them. He probably helped his memory by praying for them by name.

Our missionaries the Roberts are very good about putting specific names in their letters and about sharing what God is doing in their lives. I was convicted this week by Paul’s example that I need to be better about remembering these people by name like Paul did. I’ve never met them, and I probably never will. But we are family all the same. I should love them and pray for them as my friends.

In sum, all these greetings set a wonderful tone for how we must love each other in the church. Maybe you don’t need to worry about remembering names on the mission field; maybe you need to start by learning people’s names at Life Point. Get on the directory. Learn the names of children.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask people their name, even if you have talked multiple times. People can tell when you are faking it. Just ask again. Then remember. Be considerate. Ask questions. Build friendship with God’s people. Then enjoy that friendship. Enjoy the church family. Dinner can wait and so can your couch. Hang out. Get to know people. Build friendship. It’s so valuable, so encouraging, and so honoring to Christ. The 4^th example in this passage is…

IV.  Demonstrate solidarity (v. 16).

This is every teenager’s favorite verse. So, in youth group this morning, Dustin challenged the teens to obey this command, and they all went around and practiced. It was a wonderful bonding experience. We’re all going to do the same during the closing song. You must give 5 holy kisses before you can leave. What do you think?

I think we’d have a much smaller church if we made that a habit. Of course, we don’t need to because the point is not the kiss. That was a very specific cultural application. The point is that we need to express our love, our communion in Christ.

We have many appropriate ways to do so. Give a firm handshake. Give a hug. You can first bump or give a high five. The manner is not the issue. The issue is that we need to clearly communicate our unity in Christ. You need to show people you love them, that you are there for them, and that they are your brothers and sisters.

Think about how you can do that. It doesn’t have to be big or drawn out. A firm handshake with eye contact and a smile is meaningful. Put your arm around someone. Talk to the children. It means so much to them and their parents. All those simple expressions let people know you care. It means more than you think.

Conclusion

My challenge today is to share your life with the saints. We are friends. We are teammates. It’s a wonderful gift. Of course, I must emphasize that to truly be part of the family, you must become a Christian. We love you all the same, but Christ is the one who truly binds us together. You need to receive Christ and be adopted into his family. If you have never done that, please receive him today.

Then let’s share our lives together. The family of God is a precious gift. I hope you are thankful. Share your life with the saints.