Daily Word

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 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 Stachchys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsmen Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord Tryhaena 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, the brothers who were with them. Greet Philegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and 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 Chris greet you. Romans 16:5-16. Paul recognized the devoted service of women. According to early commentators Andronicus and Junia were husband and wife. They were fellow Jews, and had been converted (“In Christ”) before Paul himself. They had apparently been in prison at some time with Paul and had served with distinction as special envoys (“apostles”) of the churches. The use of “apostle” is broader than the strict sense of the twelve plus Paul. Ampliatus, probably a slave, whose name appears on a tomb in the catacomb of Domitilla, niece of the Emperor Domitian. Urbanus/Stachys were common slave names, the former Roman, the latter Greek. Apelles was a common Greek name, borne by one who had distinguished himself through trial and remained faithful. Herodian, was perhaps a freedman of the household of Herod, since freedmen took the name of their patron. “Rufus, chosen in the Lord,” is one of the most intriguing of the names listed in view of Mark 15:21, a gospel possibly written in Rome. “Chosen” may reflect the unique circumstances that brought his family into contact with Christ. Paul’s allusion to the mother as “his mother…to me as well” suggests deep affection for the family. Today is a longer posting than usual because I think it important to reflect over all these names and recognize that none of these people were pointed to because they healed the sick, lame, or blind. Or any other miraculous demonstration of Christ. They simply ordinary people who served, and were recognized because of their passion, humbleness, and loyalty to Christ and those of the body of Christ…fellow believers. How will you be remembered?