In The Word
Read: Romans 16:1-16
Personal Greetings
16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The book of the Bible we read, called Romans, was originally a letter written to the church in Rome by the apostle Paul. It appears that Paul entrusted this letter to be delivered to Rome by Phoebe. Paul spoke very honorably of her and encouraged the Romans to help her as she had been a helper to many. As we continue to read, Paul goes down a list of women and men he gave greetings and thanks to. This shows the leadership of the apostle Paul. He didn’t do life with just one person, but he surrounded himself with many others to accomplish the will of God. There were others too that he acknowledged who risked their very lives for his sake. This type of friendship is the same type of love Jesus displayed for us.
Reflect on your own life today. Would you be able to write a thank you letter to many people in your life? If you can’t, then maybe you haven’t allowed others into your life. God doesn’t desire us to go through life alone but in rich fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The whole principle of us being the body of Christ is that we are all connected and need each other to fully function as a body of health.
Put yourself in a position to be a blessing to those God put around you. Also open your heart and life to be able to receive help and encouragement from those God brings into your life. Don’t do life alone anymore, but live life in the abundance of fellowship.