Some Key Words (1/23/01)

Greet (aspazomai [782]):

to draw to oneself, to salute, bid welcome, wish well, receive joyfully, to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him, to greet one met on the way - involving embracing and kissing; to enfold in the arms

Risked (hupotithemi [5294]):

to place under, to supply, to suggest, to supply from one's own resources; to hazard

Give thanks (eucharisteo [2168]):

to be thankful, to give thanks for a kindness done; to be grateful; to express gratitude

Churches (ekklesia [1577]):

the assembly of those called out; a gathering of citizens called out from their homes to a public assembly, a gathering of men, an assembly of Christians gathered for worship, the whole of Christendom worldwide; a popular meeting, a religious congregation, a Christian community - whether earthly or heavenly or both

Beloved (agapetos [27]):

dear; esteemed, favorite, worthy of love;

First convert (aparche [536]):

first fruits, the first of the ripe fruits, applied to Christ as risen, the gifts of the Spirit, first converts in a particular place, believers in general; to offer the first fruits, to take away the first fruits of production to offer to God, the first portion of dough from which the sacred loaves were prepared, one consecrated to God for all time, one excelling all others in their class; a beginning of sacrifice

Kinsmen (suggenes [4773]):

related by blood, of the same race, a fellow countryman;

Apostles (apostolos [652]):

one sent, an ambassador, the office instituted by Christ to bear witness of Him, the authority associated with that office - having been called to that office by Christ Himself, all who bear witness to Christ; a delegate, an eminent Christian teacher; an ambassador of the Gospel, a commissioner of Christ with miraculous powers

Approved (dokimos 1384]):

to be proved, tried as metals by fire, purified, to be proven acceptable as men tried in the furnace of adversity; accepted as true coin, pleasing, shown honorable; shown acceptable by assayal

Choice (eklektos [1588]):

chosen, elected; picked out, chosen by God, the best of class, excellent, preeminent; select, favorite

 

Paraphrase: (1/23/01)

3 Greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ, 4 who have been in peril for my sake, and to whom all the Gentile church owe thanks, as well as I; 5 and to their church. Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, first Christian of Asia; 6 and to Mary, who has worked so hard on your behalf. 7 Send greetings to my relatives Andronicus and Junias, who were imprisoned with me, and have been in Christ longer than I. 8 Greet Ampliatus, a dear brother in Christ; 9 and Urbanus, our coworker, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greetings to Apelles, whom Christ approved, and the household of Aristobulus. 11 Hello to my fellow Jew, Herodion. Greetings, also to all those of Narcissus' household who have believed. 12 Hello to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who serve the Lord; and to that beloved laborer in Christ, Persis. 13 Send greetings also to Rufus, chosen of God, along with his mother, who is mother also to me. 14 Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas and those with them. 15 Hello to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and the saints in their charge. 16 Greet each other in holy fashion. The whole Church of Christ sends its greetings to you.

Key Verse: (1/23/01)

16:13 - all the churches greet the church. The fellowship and brotherhood is worldwide.

People Mentioned: (1/23/01)

Prisca

always noted alongside Aquila. In 1Co 16:19, they are found in Ephesus, where they join Paul in sending word to Corinth [where Romans was later written.] In 2Ti 4:19, they appear to be in Ephesus as well, where Paul sends word to them. From this letter, it would appear they made a trip to Rome at some point.

Aquila

Ac 18:2-3 - Paul first met Aquila and Prisca in Corinth, whence they had come from Italy. He and Prisca were Jews and had been expelled from Rome by Claudius, along with other Jews. They were tentmakers, like Paul. Ac 18:18 - Prisca and Aquila were with him when he left Corinth for Jerusalem, but he left them in Ephesus en route. [This seems to suggest that either (a) they had left Rome already when he wrote this letter, or (b) he remained in Corinth for some time after the writing.]

Epaenetus

mentioned nowhere else. Is he a convert of Paul's ministry or another? This is left unclear, only we are told he is the first convert from Asia.

Mary

There are so many, but it seems likely this is yet another. Word of her efforts on behalf of the Roman churches has spread far beyond Rome, to have reached Paul's ears.

Andronicus and Junias

not mentioned elsewhere. Here, they are noted as a fellow prisoners, kinsmen [fellow Jews?], outstanding apostles [of whom no word remains but this], and longer Christians than Paul, himself.

Ampliatus

even less can be said to be known of him, only that he is beloved of Paul because of Christ.

Urbanus

had perhaps worked alongside Paul at some point, or it may be a more general reference to being a fellow worker.

Stachys

only noted as a beloved friend of Paul's

Apelles

approved in Christ. Otherwise unknown.

Aristobulus, Herodion, Narcissus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis

no other word of them

Rufus

Mark notes a Rufus as being son of Simon of Cyrene (Mk 15:21). It is possible, that this man was known to Paul in Jerusalem (and thus a familiarity with his mother, as well). It is possible, I suppose, that they had gone to Rome thereafter. If so, it would seem that carrying Jesus' cross left a strong impression on Simon and his family.

Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas

noted together, and seemingly indicated as leaders in some capacity. Hermas may be the one who wrote the Shepherd of Hermas, which was a well known apocalyptic writing amongst the early church.

Philologus, Julia, Nereus, Olympas

unknown outside this letter.

 

Some Parallel Verses (1/24/01)

16:3

Ac 18:2 - Aquila and Priscilla met Paul in Corinth after being expelled from Rome with the Jews. Ro 8:11 - Through the indwelling Spirit, God will enliven our bodies. 2Co 5:17 - A man in Christ is a new creature, in whom the old has passed away and the new has come. 2Co 12:2 - There was a man who in Christ was brought up into the heavens. Gal 1:22 - The Church in Judea did not know Paul by sight when he went to meet Peter and James. Ro 8:1 - There is no condemnation for those in Christ.

16:4
16:5

1Co 16:19 - Greetings are sent from the Asian churches, including one in the home of Aquila and Prisca. Col 4:15 - Greetings are sent to the Laodicean church, and to the church in Nympha's house, Phm 2 - and to the church in the house of Archippus. 1Co 16:15 - The household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia. Ac 16:6 - The Holy Spirit forbade Paul from entering Asia, so he went into Phrygia and Galatia.

16:6
16:7

Ro 9:3 - Paul longs greatly for the salvation of his kinsmen. Col 4:10 - Aristarchus was also a co-prisoner with Paul, Phm 23 - as was Epaphras. Ro 8:11 - He who raised Christ from death will raise our bodies to life through the indwelling Holy Spirit. 2Co 5:17 - Man is a new creation in Christ. 2Co 12:2 - One man in Christ was brought into the heavens to witness it. Gal 1:22 - The Judean Church did not recognize Paul by sight.

16:8
16:9
16:10
16:11

Ro 9:3 - Paul longs for the conversion of his kinsmen.

16:12
16:13

Mk 15:21 - Simon of Cyrene, who was made to carry Jesus' cross by the Romans, was father of Alexander and Rufus.

 

New Thoughts (1/25/01)

It is interesting to read through a role call such as this, and realize what sort of impact believers were having. Here are many that we have heard absolutely nothing about to this day, other than the brief mentions made here, and yet they are shown most honorable in their faithfulness. Here is Mary, whom Paul had likely never even met, yet her reputation was such that word of her good works traveled far from Rome to reach Paul. Here, again, are those noted as being 'outstanding apostles', and yet we know nothing in this day of their teaching or their work. In this day and age, we seem to have any number of Christian workers who are intent on little more than their reputation. What a lesson they could take from these people! These were the workers who cared not for their own reputation, but only for Christ. Such honest efforts clearly made an impact on those around them, for they were well respected amongst their fellow believers. Yet they achieve only this brief mention on the pages of time, and are well satisfied. We can read, and wonder what they had done to make such an impression on the mind of one such as Paul, one who stands so huge in our mind's eye. In so doing, we likely make more of Paul than he would have liked. In so doing, we make Paul a small man, filled with a pride of which he shows no great evidence. Likely as not, the doings of these was of note simply for the simple faith behind the actions. Faith is what attracts us to other believers, faithfulness is what commends them to our affections. Isn't it likely that Paul, recognizing a passion not unlike his own, recognizing the fellowship of laboring in common for the same goal, found that more than enough reason to greet such folk?

I'm still wondering if the Rufus of Rome is indeed the son of Simon of Cyrene. It is certainly not out of the question. Imagine the impact that brief walk with a Savior condemned had on Simon, if this is the case! Here was a man, perhaps in town on business, having traveled from North Africa. Perhaps he came with his family to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. And what a momentous Passover to come for! If this be the case, it is likely that his whole family was with him at the time, likely that they were together amidst the throng watching Jesus being marched to his death. Hands grab Simon from the crowd, from the very side of his family! Perhaps a tightly controlled anger is felt by his sons at the rough treatment Simon receives from these barbaric Romans. Fear of violence, or a mother's restraining hand, might be the only things that keep them from reacting strongly. But Simon is required to bear the burden of the cross, no light thing. He is required to walk next to this poor innocent, beaten, lacerated by whips, bleeding from the brow where thorns had pierced his head in cruel ridicule. Yet he sees no anger in the doomed man's features, no outrage at this great wrong being done him. What does he see? What is it like to be next to Jesus at this point? We know He has been through a deep contest within Himself in Gethsemene. We know that He has submitted fully to the Father's will for His short life on earth. We can expect that He was well aware of the anguish that still lay before Him - both physical and emotional, as He underwent the turning away of His Father. And yet, He bore it all without complaint, with a calm determination to do His Father's will completely. What an impression this must have made on a man just wronged by the armies that had captured both his home city, and the lands of his nation! He was doubtless offended at his own treatment, and then confronted by this - by the calm acceptance of a so much greater wrong. What tales and impressions did Simon return home with after this? What discussions came about when his family sat for their meal that night? What flashes of insight came to him, as his family sat down to the Passover with these events fresh and vivid in his memory? We know that men from Cyrene were amongst those who felt the converting impact of Pentecost. We know that such men were amongst those who were scattered out of Jerusalem as the Jewish leaders sought to quash this upstart Christian sect. Did Simon and his family return home to Cyrene? Could they? Could they shake off the impact of such a set of circumstances as they had encountered in meeting their Savior? Or were such encounters so life-changing, so course-altering, that nothing could stop them from carrying word of God's work to their kinsmen far and wide?

There is one thing that can change a man to be so completely dedicated to his God, and that is a personal encounter with the One who made him. In our day and age, as in Jesus' own time, many go through the motions of religion only because of familial or societal pressures. Many walk the stony steps of a dead unbelief, continuing blindly in the forms of a faith they never held. Many among us, when returned to the church situations of our youth, will instantly fall into the forms and fashions of that ingrained habit, and this in spite of our knowing it's happening. But, when we have met with our God, when He has made it personal, has come to us in our particular place and need and fashion, there comes a change that cannot be denied and cannot be stopped. This is the call of God, this is election, that the God who created all that we see and know stooped down for a moment to reach out to us One on one! What manner of God is this that cares so much for us? Lord, You are most awesome! You, who breathe all things into existence, who spoke this very world into being, came down and showed Yourself real to me! You didn't insist on some particular ritual or words or actions on my part, You simply looked at the needs that this particular creature had. You looked inside me and saw what would be needed for me to recognize Your touch, and that is precisely what You did! How awesome! How wonderful! Lord, forgive me that so often I can forget just how wonderful this present life is, just how amazing it is that I am who I am today. You reached out to me, and pulled me from a path that could only have led to one conclusion, and look where You have placed me! I am truly, truly humbled before You. Oh, may Your praises be ever found on my lips, for You are my Rock, and my Salvation, and the Lifter of my head.