interconnections

Good morning friends,
A passage like this one can feel like just a blur of names that don't mean anything to us. At the same time these "greeting" passages help us put together a picture of the early Christian church. One thing we notice is that even though Paul had never been to Rome, he knew a lot of Christians there. Some of them he knew because they had traveled for work or ministry, suggesting that many of the leaders in the church led very mobile lives. We also see a closely interconnected church with strong relationships even over large distances. Prisca and Aquilla, named here, worked with Paul in Corinth because they were tent makers like he was. Acts tells us that they had been living in Rome but were expelled by the emperor along with all the Jews. Apparently at this point they are back there.

Another thing that is important to notice in this passage is the presence of women in leadership. Many Christians have trouble with Paul, rightly, because of some of his teachings about women. While we can't erase those harmful words, we also read them knowing that Paul did support women in ministry. Many scholars believe that Phoebe was the person who delivered this letter to the Romans and would have read it publicly in the church. We also notice Junia whom Paul calls "prominent among the apostles" who was in prison with Paul. Over all, we see a strong role for women in the early church, a role that has continued to today, thanks to God's help and the faithfulness of generations of women. May we make the most of our ministry opportunities that God and the sacrifice of the Christians who came before us make possible.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 16:1-16

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. 3Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, 4and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.


8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.