Tag: Romans

Morning Musing: Romans 16:25-27

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“Now to him who is able to strengthen you  according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles—to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever! Amen.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

This has been quite a journey. As I sit early writing this little opener, I’m not sure yet when I’ll actually write the rest of this post, but I think it’ll wind up being sometime in January. That’ll make just over a year that we have been walking together through Paul’s letter to the Roman believers. We have covered a lot of ground—a lot of good ground. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I’m looking forward to our next. Here at the end, Paul offers a final benediction. Let’s wrap up our journey by walking through the rich theology he lays out for us here.

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Morning Musing: Romans 16:19-23

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“The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you. I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What are you known for? Is it a particular habit? A personality trait? Your vocation? There are all kinds of things people wind up being known for. Not all of them, though, are good. The same thing goes for the church. Churches have reputations. Some are known to be contentious and unwelcoming. Some are just known for being large. Some are known because of all the effective kingdom-advancing work they do. Paul commends the church in Rome here for something they were known for. I’ve got to say: theirs isn’t bad. Let’s talk about it and what follows as the letter draws to a close with the next post.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 16:17-18

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“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I am a committed believer that the church should be a place for everyone. When the church is operating properly, no one should not be able to find their place there. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor a person is. It doesn’t matter how educated or simple they are. It doesn’t matter whether they are black or white or brown or red or yellow or any other color on the palette. National origins make no difference. Politics don’t matter. Even sports affiliation is something we can learn to have grace for. Everyone is welcome in the church…except for some people. Let’s take a minute today to talk about some people we don’t want in the church.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 16:3-16

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“Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus and 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 Christ send you greetings.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Every year I attend the annual meeting of my State Baptist Convention. Once there, I attend various meetings and breakout sessions. There are times of worship and lots of preaching. Sometimes, if I’m feeling especially brave, I’ll make a tour through the actual convention hall. I’m sufficiently introverted I only do that once. Introverted or not, though, over the years I’ve met various other pastors and ministry leaders, several of whom I have kept up with. Some of them have played a role in my ministry and vice versa. Ministry isn’t something that happens in isolation. Paul’s long list of greetings here at the end of the letter is a good reminder of that. Let’s explore who some of his ministry partners are.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 16:1-2

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“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

If you listen closely when you are on an airplane, at some point in the journey you’ll notice the engine sound—a steady drone throughout the flight up to then—change. It’s not a dramatic change, but there’s definitely a difference. This is the point the pilot has begun the final approach into the destination airport. Not long after this change in sound he’ll come on and make the relevant announcement. Today we begin our final approach toward landing our journey through Romans. What we’re going to encounter as we do are a whole lot of greetings. First, though, a commendation. If that sounds boring, however, think again. Just as there is often turbulence when going from one part of the sky to another, we’re yet going to encounter some highly debated verses. Hang on tight!

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