Romans, But not Romanists

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Romans 16:1-16

I commend to you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:…

The text —

I. ILLUSTRATES THE VARIOUS RELATIONS OF FAMILIES TO THE CHURCH.

1. In ver. 3 you have a household in which the husband and the wife were joined to the Church. When two loving hearts pull together they accomplish wonders. What different associations cluster around the names of Ananias and Sapphira! I do not know why Paul placed the wife first, for in the Acts it is the reverse. Perhaps it was because Priscilla was first in energy of character and attainments in grace. Whether the wife be first or second matters little if both be truly the servants of God. Pray unceasingly that your life-companions may be converted to God. Paul spoke of the Church that was in their house. It is well when a Christian family judge that the parlour will be honoured by being used for a prayer meeting. Such a dwelling becomes like the house of Obededom.

2. In ver. 7 Andronicus and Junta represent part of a very remarkable household, for they were kinsmen of Paul, and they were converted to God before Paul was. I have wondered whether the conversion of Adronicus and Junta excited in him his fury against Christ; but it is more than probable that their prayers were part of the means of his conversion. This should act as a great encouragement for all who desire the salvation of their households. Out of persecutors God can make apostles.

3. In ver. 10 we have a family whose head was not a Christian. Why leave Aristobulus out? Because he had left himself out; he was no believer, and therefore there could be no Christian salutation sent to him. The kingdom of God was in his house, and yet he was unblessed by it. Where are you, Aristobulus? The Lord sends a message of grace to your child and wife, but not to you, for you have not given your heart to Him. Another instance, and a worse one, is in ver. 11. There was a Narcissus at this period who was extremely rich, and as bad as he was rich. Yet while blasphemous songs, gluttony, and licentiousness made his mansion a very hell, there was a saving salt in the slaves' dormitory. He who blacks your shoes may be one of the beloved of the Lord, while you who wear them may be without God and without hope in the world.

4. In ver. 12 we have, I suppose, two sisters: where were their brothers, their father, their mother? How often there are in the Church two humble, faithful women, and all the rest far off from God! Brother, let not your sister go to heaven alone. Father, if your daughters be children of God, do not you remain His enemy.

5. In ver. 15 we have a brother and sister. It is pleasant to see the stronger and weaker sex thus associated. But had they no other relatives? Depend upon it, they often prayed together for all the rest.

6. In ver. 13 there are a mother and her son. When a godly woman is a tender mother, it is no wonder if her sons become believers, for the mother's love and example draw them towards Jesus. There is a legend connected with Rufus and Alexander, that when their father Simon was compelled to bear the Cross, one carried his father's pick, and the other his spade. If they cannot bear the Cross, they will at least help their father by carrying his tools. Who marvels if Alexander and Rufus saw their father carry Christ's Cross so well, that they, too, should afterwards count it their glory to be followers of the Crucified.

II. SHOWS WHAT ARE POINTS OF INTEREST AMONG CHRISTIANS. In a worldly community the point of interest is, how much is a man worth? Now Paul does not make a single reference to any one on account of his position, property, or office, except so far as those may be implied in the service which each person rendered to the cause of God. The points of interest with Paul are —

1. Their service for the Church (vers. 1, 2). It is a distinction among Christians to be allowed to serve, and the most menial employment for the Church is the most honourable. So Phebe shall have her name inscribed in this golden book of Christ's nobility, because she is the servant of the Church, and because, in being such, she succoured the poor and needy.

2. Their labour (ver 6). Mary was one of those useful women who took personal care of the preacher, because she believed the life of God's servant to be precious. Then follow Tryphena and Tryphosa, "who labour in the Lord"; and Persis, who "laboured much in the Lord." I do not suppose Tryphena and Tryphosa were angry because the apostle made this distinction, but it is certainly a very explicit one. Degrees in honour among believers are graduated by the scale of service done.

3. Their character. Ver. 13 cannot allude to Rufus' election, since all the rest were chosen too, but must mean that he was a choice man in the Lord. Apelles was "approved in Christ," a tried and experienced believer. Epaenetus (ver. 5) is singled out because of the time of his conversion. While every minister feels a peculiar attachment to all his converts, he has the tenderest memory of the first ones. What parent does not prize above all others his first child?

III. REVEALS THE GENERAL LOVE WHICH OUGHT TO EXIST IN THE CHURCH OF GOD.

1. The whole passage shows the love of the apostle towards the brethren at Rome. He would not have taken the trouble to write all this to them if he had not really loved them. And it shows that there were Christians in those days who were full of love to each other. The holy kiss marked their fervour of love.

1. The early Christians were accustomed to show their love to one another —

(1) By practical help. I do not think that the apostle alluded to any Church business, but to her own. I do not know what it was, and it was no part of an apostle's commission to tell us other people's business; but whatever business it was, if any Christian in Rome could help her he was to do so.

(2) When it involved great sacrifices (ver. 4).

2. Christian love in those days —

(1) Had the great respect for those who had suffered for Christ(ver. 7).

(2) Honoured workers (ver. 6). Paul speaks of the labourers over and over again with intense affection.

(3) Had its specialities. "My we!l-beloved Epaenetus," "Amplias my beloved," etc., etc. There were some whom he liked better than others, and even the Lord had a disciple whom He loved more than the rest. There are Christian people whom you could live with in heaven comfortably enough, but it is a severe trial to bear with them on earth; but since God puts up with them, so ought you.

(4) Was wont to respect seniority in spiritual life; for Paul speaks of some who were in Christ before himself.

(5) Did not overlook the most obscure members of the Church. "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas," etc. We know nothing about those good people. They were like the most of us, commonplace individuals; but they loved the Lord, and therefore Paul sent them a message of love which has become embalmed in the Holy Scriptures. It were better to be the meanest Christian than to be the greatest sinner.

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