Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 16
Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 16
Personal Greetings
1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
In this final chapter, Paul extends his personal greetings to many who were partners with him in the spreading of the Gospel. Importantly, we see many types of people, single and married, male and female, young and old. In fact, Paul recognizes the married couple of Andronicus (male) and Junias (female) as fellow apostles.
We also see the missionary team of Priscilla (female) and Aquilla (male) who are mentioned many times in the bible, and whose mutual ministry and tentmaking (they raised their own support) are honored and appreciated by the apostle Paul. As we read these many different names and the many different roles that they played in helping Paul to start the early churches throughout Europe, we see how important all people are to the mission of Christ.
As Paul says to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are on in Christ.” Galatians 3:28 As the early church lived out this mutual calling and God used both males and females they are fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 in the Old Testament, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
This is a reminder that the church is to be the most non segregated place on earth. Whether it be young or old, male or female, white and black, the church should reflect that we are all one in Christ Jesus. This is the freedom to which we are called, which gives the world a taste of what heaven is like. Where these kind of distinctions are done away with, we know the Spirit is present in all its fullness and power.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you call all people to be a part of and to help build the Church on earth as you prepare us one day for heaven. May Your Church reflect your values where there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female but all are on in Christ, Amen.
Personal Greetings
1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
In this final chapter, Paul extends his personal greetings to many who were partners with him in the spreading of the Gospel. Importantly, we see many types of people, single and married, male and female, young and old. In fact, Paul recognizes the married couple of Andronicus (male) and Junias (female) as fellow apostles.
We also see the missionary team of Priscilla (female) and Aquilla (male) who are mentioned many times in the bible, and whose mutual ministry and tentmaking (they raised their own support) are honored and appreciated by the apostle Paul. As we read these many different names and the many different roles that they played in helping Paul to start the early churches throughout Europe, we see how important all people are to the mission of Christ.
As Paul says to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are on in Christ.” Galatians 3:28 As the early church lived out this mutual calling and God used both males and females they are fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 in the Old Testament, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
This is a reminder that the church is to be the most non segregated place on earth. Whether it be young or old, male or female, white and black, the church should reflect that we are all one in Christ Jesus. This is the freedom to which we are called, which gives the world a taste of what heaven is like. Where these kind of distinctions are done away with, we know the Spirit is present in all its fullness and power.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you call all people to be a part of and to help build the Church on earth as you prepare us one day for heaven. May Your Church reflect your values where there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female but all are on in Christ, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment