Although Paul had a strong personality, his close
walk with the Lord must had helped to make him a very people person. In this
concluding chapter of the epistle, we find this aspect of his life coming to
the fore. He sent no less than 26 personal greetings to different individuals
and also to five households in the city of Rome.
A look at this chapter reveals that it neatly
divides itself into four segments: In verses 1-16 Paul sent his personal
greetings; in verses 17-20 he gave some words of warning; in verses 21-24 we
see the greetings he sent on behalf of the workers who were with him, and
finally in verses 25-27, he concluded with a benediction, praising God.
In verses 1-2 Paul began by commending Phoebe, a
sister from the city of Cenchrea, a port city of Corinth. She is said to be a
servant of the church, meaning that she ministered to the saints. Paul sent a
personal word of commendation and called on the saints in Rome to receive her
and minister to her.
Priscilla and Aquila were the next to be commended
(vv.3-4). In the six times that this couple’s names were mentioned in the New
Testament, four times Priscilla’s name was mentioned first. It could well be
that she was a more outgoing person and a more assertive teacher than Aquila.
In Acts 18:24-26, we are told that this husband-and-wife team taught Apollos
the truth concerning the Gospel.
Other than Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, the list
of names which Paul mentioned here were most probably ordinary believers in the
church. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mentioned them by name
and thus, they provide us information about how Paul valued people in the
ministry. Firstly, it tells us that Paul valued women and acknowledged their
contribution to the ministry. Secondly, it shows that Paul was very personal.
Thirdly, we see that Paul was a very people-oriented person. Though he had not
set foot on Rome yet, he could mention individuals by name.
Let’s each learn to be a people person, each one
reaching another for the sake of the Lord. People are valuable to the Lord,
especially those who co-labor with us. Let’s learn to value them.
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