Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the
church which is at Cenchrea:
Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye
assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a
succorer of many, and of myself also.
Here is proof that Paul was not against women in the ministry. If she was
just one of the members, looks like he would have commended them to whoever
was the leader of that particular church.
They were to receive her in the Lord and assist her in whatever needs she
had concerning the church.
A succorer of many including Paul, meaning she assisted or helped.
Rom 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Rom 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only
I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Here is two people who were willing to lay down their lives on behalf of
Paul. So we see that women as well as men ministered to the saints and
shared the gospel for Priscilla and Aquila were also teachers according to
the book of Acts.
Act 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent
man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Act 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent
in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John.
Act 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila
and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the
way of God more perfectly.
Act 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote,
exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them
much which had believed through grace:
Act 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by
the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
This Jew knew of Christ and was zealous for the Lord but he didn't know of
anything but the baptism of John. He needed to know more.
The written scriptures, teachers, preachers, and the Holy Spirit are given
to us that we study and learn more of God after we come to Christ. Converts
need to be instructed and taught. There is no end to seeking God, studying
and praying becoming fruitful and abounding in the word of the Lord and at the
same time keeping up our zeal to win the lost.
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rom 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my
well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Paul mentions that greetings be bestowed upon women as well as men who labor
in the Lord. I notice that the church was in the house of Priscilla and
Aquila.
We need to be careful not to criticize house churches for they have their
place and if God calls them to worship at home with a smaller group, who are
we to judge. They might reach someone who may never go to a church building.
On the other hand, for the house church people to tear down the ministries
that meet in church buildings would equally be wrong. It is great to have a central
location to worship so that everyone considers the place of worship to be
their special place and not owned by one individual. So whichever we find
ourselves in, we need to be faithful and not tear down one another's
ministries.
Small church, house church, large church or mega church, lets worship God
and glorify God, teaching the word of truth faithfully without murmuring and
complaining. We do not build a church or fellowship by just being negative
about all the others.
Rom 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.
Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners,
who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
Rom 16:9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
Rom 16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of
Aristobulus' household.
Rom 16:11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of
Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
Rom 16:12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the
beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord.
Rom 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Rom 16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the
brethren which are with them.
Rom 16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas,
and all the saints which are with them.
Rom 16:16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute
you.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Not all division is bad but the ones that cause division and offenses
contrary to the doctrine which is learned and taught from the word, is to be
avoided.
Sometimes a subject comes up when the one who offends is the one in the
right. This needs to be done in the spirit of meekness and much much prayer.
If the word is not received, he or she must quietly leave and join with
those with like faith unless it is a trivial matter that has nothing to do
with one's salvation or walk with the Lord.
Some cause trouble and division though to gain followers after themselves
being jealous over the leadership. Those kind we need to avoid. They can go
start their own church instead of disrupting one that already has a
messenger called of God. This is an area that is of much concern.
We can be totally right and still be totally wrong in the way we handle the
disagreement. Remembering the words of Jesus is best. "By this shall all men
know that you are my disciples when you have love one toward another." We
can't beat that.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their
own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple.
No faithful preacher will always use good words and fair speeches at all
times. There is a need for correction, rebuke, reproof and warning also when
the word is preached. Fair speeches deceive the hearts of those that are not
well learned in the scriptures. We have ear tickling speakers today. If its
all good its got to be bad for the church is not yet perfected.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ:
We see here that we don't just win people to Jesus Christ and then depart
and go somewhere else without leaving behind someone to teach, instruct and
disciple the new converts.
2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad
therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is
good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The first part of this was done at the cross but at His Second coming, the
final work of Christ will be accomplished when all evil is done away,
rewards are given and Satan is stopped once and for all time.
Rom 16:21 Timothy my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my
kinsmen, salute you.
Rom 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Rom 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus
the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my
gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of
the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all
nations for the obedience of faith:
Rom 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
How can we ever think the Old Testament doesn't link up with the New. The
prophets of old foretold of the coming of the Messiah who would save people
from their sins. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the
New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
We must keep seeking and growing in the Lord praying for one another and
contending for the faith once delivered to the saints endeavoring to walk in
the spirit and stay in our first love for Jesus Christ and all His has
taught us.