I. The Commended Christians
Commendations needed in that day as Christians needed to help and house one another.
Many false prophets and teachers took advantage of the generosity of Christians.
A. Phoebe Vs. 1, 2
1. Servant- diakonos- one who executes the commands of another, deacon.
2. Helper- KJV-succourer– woman set over others; one who brings relief.
3. Worthy of honorable reception
4. Worthy of helping in any venture- Help her, assist her, provide for her.
5. Probably the bearer of this letter- A mail deliverer. Phoebe delivered a “letter” that changed the lives of millions, used by God to start the Reformation; Paul’s great treatment of justification by faith.
B. Priscilla & Aquila, Timothy Vs. 3-5, 21a
1. Fellow workers- The gospel calls for workers, those who labor as companions.
2. Risked their lives helping Paul– Priscilla & Aquila had helped Paul in Ephesus, now back in Rome.
3. All the churches knew about how they had risked their lives to help Paul.
4. Widely appreciated by many churches, w/ pastor’s hearts & the gift of hospitality.
5. House church leaders in Corinth and Rome. Teachers . Husband & wife team.
C. Epaenetus, Amplias, Stachys- Beloved Ones Vs. 5b, 8, 9
1. Beloved- beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love
2. Firsfruits- The first Christian in the area of Corinth, where Paul was.
D. Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis- Women Who Labored Vs. 6, 12
1. Labored- literally, to the point of exhaustion.
2. To grow weary, tired. Gospel work can be tiresome work.
3. Tryphena & Tryphosa: translated as “delicate and dainty”.
a. “Delicate & Dainty” were hard workers, unlike their names implied.
E. Andronicus & Junias V. 7
1. Fellow prisoners.
2. Noted among the apostles– having a mark on it, marked, stamped, coined
3. In Christ before Paul, probably converted very early on in the church. (Jerusalem)
4. Possibly (probably) apostles that were recognized other than the Eleven.
F. Urbanus V. 9
1. Common slave name.
2. Fellow worker in Christ
G. Apelles V. 10
1. Approved- accepted, particularly of coins and money. The real thing.
2. Apelles had gone through some sort of testing, and was a genuine Christian.
H. Rufus & Mother V. 13
1. Rufus-chosen- Some higher position that God had bestowed upon Rufus.
a. Chosen- the best of its kind, the best of class, elite.
2. His mother– also a “mother” to Paul
a. Leon Morris– It seems that people were more ready to claim an extended family in that day than we are.
I. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes V. 14
1. Greek brothers who were in fellowship
2. These men may have been the core of another home church.
J. Philologus And Others With Him V. 15
1. This may have been another house church
2. Philologus- a lover of the word. Good name for a home church leader.
K. Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater V. 21b
1. Jews
2. Companions- always a dangerous prospect when traveling with Paul
L. Tertius- “The Scribe, The Secretary. V. 22
M. Gaius- Home Church Leader V. 23
N. Erastus- A Prominent Person w/ “Commoners” V. 23
O. Quartus- “The Fourth”- Younger brother of Tertius? V. 23
1. Slaves were often numbered at birth, instead of given names.
2. Tertius, the 3rd brother; Quartus, the 4th brother.
3. Insignificant as slaves, precious as saints.
P. Holy Kiss V. 16
1. Common cultural greeting
2. Holiness among them. Sanctified relationships.
3. Known and loved by other churches
II. Those Mentioned Vs. 10, 11
1. These mentioned do not receive any particular commendation
2. They may have been heads of households that had Christians, but the heads of the households are not Christians, i.e. Aristobulus & Narcissus.
3. These may have only been “known of” by Paul, hence, no particular personal greeting
4. These may have been those of whom there was nothing particularly noteworthy.
5. They were, in a sense, just “part of the landscape”, but how great that was.
III. Benediction To The Saints
A. Grace V. 24
1. This verse is not found in the NIV version of the Bible.
2. It is similar to verse 20, with some additions.
B. God Establishes People V. 25
1. Establish- to make stable, strengthen, place firmly.
2. Through Gospel message, the entire Christian message seen in the Bible.
3. Through preaching of Jesus Christ.
4. The unveiling of the mystery of God’s plan, clearly seen on the gospel.
5. For all nations.
6. That is God’s command, that people hear the word.
7. Gospel is to be obeyed in faith.