Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

New Wineskins

Home
Evangelical
A Reminder to All Preachers From the Unlikeliest Chapter in Romans

A Reminder to All Preachers From the Unlikeliest Chapter in Romans

Last updated on: June 6, 2016 at 6:21 am by Josh Daffern

A Reminder to All Preachers From the Unlikeliest Chapter in Romans 2016-06-06T06:21:11-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

www.unsplash.com

Nobody preaches from Romans 16. It’s the miscellaneous chapter, a post script to an otherwise rich and theologically expansive letter. Now, as Christians we believe that all the Bible is inspired by God. That means that Romans 16 is just as inspired as other fan favorites such as Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:38-39 (or all of Romans 9-11 for our Calvinist brethren). At first, there may not seem to be a lot of material to work with in Romans 16:

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet 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.

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet 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.

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. Romans 16:1-15 (NIV)

Here’s a timeless truth from these verses, an incredible principle for church growth: people matter. Paul couldn’t do what he did without people, church members and leaders that supported his ministry. So much so, Paul used the last chapter of one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written to call out 27 different people by name and thank them for their friendship and support.

It’s a reminder that a church has never been a building, an address, a service or even a denomination. It’s always been the people. It’s too easy for preachers like me to hide behind a pulpit and carefully craft exquisite sermons, thinking that’s my main responsibility in ministry. My main responsibility isn’t to preach at people, it’s to minister to people. I can’t do that without relationships, without authenticity, without intentionality. People matter.

Previous Post

June 1, 2016

5 Ways to Bring Fun Back to Church

Next Post

June 8, 2016 The 3 Greatest Benefits of Not Having a Conservative Evangelical In This Year's Presidential Election

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the first book of the New Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mark Matthew John Luke