In The Word
Read: Romans 16:1-16
Greetings and Love Expressed
16 I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
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.