JC Blog

Who cares about the laundry list of people Paul is thanking? What application does it have for us today? This seems to be a common question that arises when getting to the close of a book of the Bible. In fact, in many small group settings, a large sigh is heard when chosen to read over the list of names, hoping to pronounce them right and wondering why it matters that it is read at all.

As I ponder over these names of countless individuals that helped and ministered with the Apostle Paul these phrases stand out, "fellow workers in Christ Jesus", "They risked their lives for me," "all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them", "worked very hard for you", "They are outstanding among the apostles", "tested and approved in Christ". These are among the few attributes that Paul gives them when instructing the Romans to accept and greet them in the Lord. They obviously come very highly recommended by Paul and deserve a moment for us to ponder as well.

These men and women helped spread the gospel and preserve the written instructions of Paul in the early push of Christianity. Where would we be without these people risking their lives to share the good news of Christ Jesus? What they did was amazing and unbelievable. They evangelized the known world at that time in thirty years. What Paul said about them is true, not only for the believers in Rome but for us as well. They did work very hard for us, they were outstanding among the apostles, they are tested and approved in Christ! As we read about them we should be grateful that these men and women risked their lives for Christ so that we could know him 2000 years later.

What a great testament to know that what you are doing now could affect someone outside of your time and influence. These people had no idea of their impact in the world, they just loved the Lord and spread His good news. We can do the same. We can live a changed life by our relationship with Jesus. Not worrying about the things we do or don't do, but living in the moment with the Holy Spirit as our guide and teacher. If we listen to His direction and follow His leading then we, like these men and women, can bless the body of Christ and encourage each other in Lord, not realizing its impact on others.

I always get excited when I read about women in the Bible or see a women mentioned in the scriptures such as Phoebe. Not much detail is given about her nor is she mentioned anywhere else except in this final chapter in Romans. But she will always be remembered as the person who delivered Paul's epistle to the believers at Rome.

What an amazing task this must have been. Travel was not easy nor safe, but she was given this great letter and sent to deliver it. With it came a personal recommendation from Paul, this tells us a lot about this lady. Paul told them that she was a servant of the church in Cenchrea and many assume that she might have been a deaconess or minister there. The word for servant, translated from the Greek means attendant and is used elsewhere to denote a Christian teacher, pastor, deacon or deaconess. However the word was also used in the case of a servant or someone who did errands as a slave. Whether or not Phoebe was a deaconess or servant one truth remains, she was a great help to the many people.

Paul instructed this church to help her out in whatever means necessary as she also helped others. This is an important truth that illustrators the principal of reaping what you sow. Just knowing that she helped and ministered to others in their time of need would empower the Romans to assist her while in Rome and on her journey. This is why Paul mentioned it. He instructed them that she had been a great help to others and even himself, so in the same way they should assist her when possible. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" ( Luke 6:38 ). This is one of the key principal how the Kingdom of God works, we will reap what we sow. So in helping others, others will be more likely to help us. Paul is advocating that Phoebe has earned their help and respect by the help she had given him.

The same holds true for us today, we are more likely to assist those who willingly help us and vica versa. Like Phoebe were are servants of Jesus and ministers to His church. We are tasks with helping and caring for our brothers and sisters when there is a need. Today, I pray that you become aware of those needs and step in and help when possible. Just like Phoebe, you will be remembered for your servants heart and for caring and ministering to the saints of God. May this truth bless you today as you walk in it!