The churches of Christ salute you

This chapter is one of salutations, as the apostle recounts fellow believers who had an interest in the assembly at Rome. Some of the long list would have been well known for their work of the Lord. They demonstrated: (1) Commitment. It is obvious from what is said that Phoebe, Priscilla, and Aquila were particularly well known or worthy of note. Of Phoebe it can be said that she ably fulfilled the ministry of a sister, ‘a succourer of many’, v. 2. For such an industrious servant of the Lord there should be a welcome from the assembly and appropriate assistance in her work. From Priscilla and Aquila we see the support given to the Lord’s work and the Lord’s workers and the value of it in an individual as well as assembly sense, v. 4. (2) Consistency. Of Epaenetus we are told he was continuing in divine things. Of Mary, v. 6, we see commitment and consistency to the point of exhaustion. Of Andronicus and Junia, v. 7, though imprisoned for Christ, they remained faithful to their Lord and to the Lord’s people. Of Amplias, v. 8, it can be said that he was ‘beloved in the bonds of Christian service’, H. ALFORD. (3) Community. The apostle has emphasized the community of believers bringing together Jew and Gentile in Christ. Andronicus, Junia, and Herodion are stated to be Jews. Others are Gentiles, but involved in the work of the Lord and in support of the apostle’s labours. As well as of different national background, there are those of different gender. Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junia (although gender is unclear), Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis were all women, playing a considerable part in the work of the Lord yet in their proper sphere of service. Finally, there are those of different social background brought together: prisoners for Christ, and slaves alongside those of greater social standing and position, such as Priscilla, Aquila, Phoebe, and Erastus, v. 23.

The closing verses are a tribute to the God of the gospel, the theme of the book. Paul tells us of God’s power, v. 25. He describes God as the revealer of secrets, v. 25, the God of eternity, v. 26, and yet also the God of all grace. Finally, He is God only wise, v. 27. As this epistle displays that particular truth so fully and so ably, here is its most fitting close.