Are Any of These People Still Around?
Romans 16
Dec 15, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction (Luke 10:20)
A. Never take faithful men and women for granted
B. Paul mentions many people that he had met along his journeys since his conversion
1. People he had led to belief in Jesus Christ
2. People who worked alongside him, and he alongside them
C. These are real people, who lived in Rome 2,000 years ago when this Book was written.
1. Twenty Five names in total, along with families and church groups
2. These are the names of real people. People who got saved out of Judaism, out of paganism, out of atheism, out of confusion and superstitions
3. They were far away in Rome, and yet were faithfully serving the Lord in the church there
4. These are names not only written down forever in the word of God in your hands – makes them famous
5. But their names are written in the Book of Life in heaven!
6. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
7. Most of these people we know very little about.
8. But they were priceless to Paul! And he knew he needed to let them know how much they meant to him.
D. Take a look at each name, and think of the person behind each name
1. They are in your Bible for a reason…
2. The entire Bible is filled with the lives and names of people who show us how to live and walk by faith
3. Ask yourself, Am I LIKE any of these?
4. Or am I too far back in the shadows to be noticed? And not being used by God at all?
II. Message
A. Church Roll Call (Romans 16:1-15)
1. Remember “Roll Call” in School? God keeps records, and takes attendance, and if you are saved, he knows your name!
2. Phoebe (Romans 16:1,2) - Servant
a. Romans 16:1,2 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
b. She was a Sister
1) Not in the physical sense, but in the family of God.
2) She was born again just like Paul was, and that meant she was family!
c. She was a Servant of the church in Cenchrea
1) She was a member not of the “universal” invisible church, but of a local congregation of believers in Cenchrea
2) A town next to Corinth in Greece
3) She didn’t just attend the church
4) She was a member, and organised her life around the things going on in her church
5) She served people, taking food to them, praying with them, visiting them, teaching
d. She was a Saint “as becometh saints” - That means she was sanctified and purposed for a higher calling than just this world just like every one of us are whether we know it or not
e. She was a “Succourer” of so many people
1) A helper everywhere she went
2) To succour means to carry the infirm, the weak, the worn out
3) She was not a lazy Christian
f. And she was a Scripture messenger
1) She carried this letter 1,000 miles from Cenchrea to the Christians in Rome.
2) A rather large scroll, written by a man named Tertius, a secretary of Paul (Romans 16:22) I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
3) Maybe she had business in Rome but she willingly carried the precious holy scripture to Christians in Rome!
g. She was NOT a deaconness, or a pastor (like in so many churhes today)
1) She was a helper
2) God ordfained MEN to lead the New Testamet Church
3) And believe me, we need help!
4) Ladies… I hope that there are some more Phoebe’s in this room
5) If so, don’t stay in the shadows! Keep serving the Lord!
6) If you are not like Phoebe, today is your chance to decide to become like her
3. Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-5) - Disciplers
a. Romans 16:3-5 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. ...
b. Probably Paul’s closest friends in the ministry
c. He met them in Corinth in Acts 18
d. A married couple, serving the Lord together as a powerful Bible teaching team!
e. They were Paul’s helpers
1) Working alongside him in the ministry
2) They never wrote any Scripture – never built a big church
3) But Paul wanted everyone to know that they had laid down their necks to protect Paul when he was in danger
4) And, they made sure they did everything they could to keep Paul going and preaching
5) All the churches of the Gentiles owe Priscilla and Aquila their very existence – the Gospel would not have gotten as far without their help of Paul!
6) No ministry is a one man show (ILLUSTRATION OF MAN PLAYING 10 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)
7) Paul knows that he owes Priscilla and Aquila his very life
8) Everyone in the ministry needs these kinds of friends
9) I have some – and they (some of you) are so precious to me and my wife!
f. Notice that they had a church in their house!
1) Paul is referring to the PEOPLE meeting in Priscilla’s and Aquilla’s HOUSE
2) A church is not a building, or a religion, or a denomination
3) It is a group of believers who assemble together regularly to worship the Lord Jesus and become more like Him!
4) It meets in HOUSES, BARNS, WAREHOUSES (like here), HOTELS, FIELDS, CAVES, and anywhere they can meet!
4. Epaenetus (Romans 16:5) – Firstfruits
a. Romans 16:5 ... Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
b. Only mentioned here
c. A man who was from Achaia (also near Corinth) and now living in Rome
d. But was well known because he was one of the first Greeks to get saved in Achaia – firstfruits are the first fruits harvested from a field, or orchard
e. He was kind of special to Paul
f. He was the first man that Paul led to Christ in Achaia in Greece
g. And Paul knew him, and missed his company
h. I remember the first Irish lad I led to Christ here – lived in Riverview, near Blarney
i. I remember the first young lady I led to Christ here – her name was Vanessa – now living in England
j. Firstfruits are sometimes the sweetest
k. Have YOU ever led anyone to faith in Christ? You ought to try!
5. Mary (Romans 16:6) - Labourer
a. Romans 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
b. This is not Mary the mother of Jesus - Mary was a very common Jewish name. Kind of like Mary and John were common here 60 years ago
c. Paul shouts out her name in his letter so that she knows he noticed all the things she had done for him and his men as they served the Lord
d. She had travelled along with Paul and Silas and Timothy
e. Here is a woman who had helped Paul and all the men who preached with him. Maybe preparing meals, being an encourager, hosting them like Martha did for Jesus and His disciples
f. And now was living in Rome, serving the Lord there
g. So, be a blessing ladies, here
h. Serve the Lord and serve other Christians
i. God notices!
6. Adronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7) Fellowprisoners
a. Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
b. They were Jewish men
c. Kinsmen. These are two men, maybe related to Paul, along with three other men
1) Romans 16:11 Herodion my kinsman
2) Romans 16:21 Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen
3) You never know who in your family is going to get saved!
4) Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they get saved and serve the Lord WITH you?
d. Fellow-prisoners. They were Paul’s “fellowprisoners” – had been arrested for preaching the Gospel, and winning people to faith iun Christ
e. Well respected. They were well respected by even the apostles in Jerusalem
f. In Christ!
1) Instead of being “in a church” or “in a religion”, a Christian is “in Christ”
2) They were “in Christ” (saved) before Paul had gotten saved
3) Does away with hyper-dispensationalists
7. Amplias (Romans 16:8) – Deeply loved
a. Romans 16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
b. Amplias was a beloved Christian friend of Paul whom Paul had met years earlier, and had gotten saved, and become a very close friend
c. Calls him, “my beloved” – a very special phrase – a very close friendship – there are very few of these today!
d. He was now living in Rome
e. So Paul wants whoever stands and reads this letter outloud to the church to announce Amplias’ name, and says “Hi!” from Paul
f. That would have been cool!
8. Urbane (Romans 16:9) - Helper
a. Romans 16:9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, ...
b. Another man who had helped Paul preach the Gospel over the years
c. Now living in Rome
9. Stachys (Romans 16:9) - Beloved
a. Romans 16:9 …, and Stachys my beloved.
b. Paul seems to really love these people!
10. Apelles (Romans 16:10) – Approved / Proven to be real
a. Romans 16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. ...
b. Paul says nothing but good about all these people!
c. Paul says Apelles is “approved in Christ”
d. Evidently Apelles had been through some rough times of testings of his faith and had come through, faithful – Paul was eye-witness to that
e. And Paul wanted him and everyone else in the church in Rome to know Apelles was a trustworthy man now
11. Aristobulus’ Household (Romans 16:10) – An Entire Household, Saved and Serving!
a. Romans 16:10 ... Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
b. Aristobulus is not the one greeted – maybe he was dead, or had never gotten saved
c. We don’t know
d. But, evidently Aristobulus’ home was a great place – a place the apostle Paul felt comfortable praising
e. A ‘household’ refers to all the people in the house
f. Family members, aunts, uncles, grandparents, servants had gotten saved
g. And they were all friends of Paul – loved Paul, and he loved them
h. THAT is a mark of Christianity
12. Herodion (Romans 16:11) – Kinsman
a. Romans 16:11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. ...
b. It is wonderful having your family members saved!
c. Most people only read a name – “Herodion” – but there was a life attached to that name that had blessed and encouraged other Christians
d. And as Paul wrote these names, and they were read out-loud months later, they all felt connected, and humbled, and thrilled to be saved and serving the Lord together!
13. The Household of Narcissus (Romans 16:11) - Surprises
a. Romans 16:11 Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
b. This man Narcissus had a bad name – it means, “Self-centered”
c. The word “narcissist” comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a handsome young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He became obsessed with his looks, his beauty, his abilities, his own wants, over everyone else
d. But surprisingly, his entire household were all living for God – saved, selfless, and serving one another – the exact opposite of a narcissist
e. So… you and I have no excuse for not living for God, even if we had the worst father or mother, etc!
14. Tryphena and Tryphosa (Romans 16:12) – More Labourers
a. Romans 16:12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. ...
b. Many, many people labour in their job, or in their sport, and their family…
c. We need to labour also in prayer, in soul-winning, preaching, discipling, giving
d. Christianity needs not just believers, but DOERS, labourers!
15. Persis (Romans 16:12) – Hard worker
a. Romans 16:12 ... Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
b. A woman who was loved by Paul like a sister
c. She laboured as a Christians woman alongside Paul and his men for souls
d. MEN, we need to labour for the Lord, but LADIES, you are needed too
e. I find that women usually work way more than most men today! Shame!
f. Let’s ALL start labouring in the harvest of souls, soul-winning, teaching, praying
16. Rufus and his Mother (Romans 16:13) – Chosen / Special
a. Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
b. Chosen means, he was specially chosen for a great purpose
c. Everyone knew Rufus’ background
d. His father was Simon of Cyrenia who carried Jesus’ cross up to Golgotha
e. Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
17. Rapid list of final nine names (Romans 16:14,15) – Brethren and Saints
a. Paul now tries to hurry up and finish this letter again… calls out 9 more people…
b. Romans 16:14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
c. Romans 16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
B. Summary - Who were these people?
1. Twenty five people are named, along with their families, and relatives, as well as the brethren who gathered with them in their local churches around the city of Rome
2. These were Christians
a. Believers in Rome that Paul personally knew, and had met, and wished to see again.
b. Committed and faithful – had not cooled off, and backslidden, or quit
3. Not perfect - None were “perfect” Christians – they had their flaws
4. But all were beloved by Paul, and missed
5. Even though they lived 1,000 miles away, to Paul, they were family – brethren of Paul. Just like you and I are brethren with them, even though separated by 2,000 years!
6. They were all busy parents, and husbands and wives, who made time to serve the Lord
7. One day we will meet every one of these people, and more! (Revelation 7:9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands
C. Show Love to One Another For Me (Romans 16:16)
1. Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss...
2. Treat each other like family, forgiven, washed and clean
3. Treat them like you are Paul, greeting each other!
4. Publicly honour their presence with a holy kiss – show real affection
a. Don’t ignore each other - Let people know you love them!
b. Even when they are backslidden
5. Don’t just SAY nice things… SHOW LOVE – actions speak louder than words
a. 1John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed [ACTIONS] and in truth.
b. Yes, Rebuke, but in love
c. Yes, Speak the truth, but do it in love
d. Just love one another!
e. Have good things to say about each other
f. Make sure there are good things for people to say about you!
D. The Churches of Christ all over the world salute you in Rome! (Romans 16:16)
1. Romans 16:16 ... The churches of Christ salute you.
2. “Salute” means to Greet, extend affection and respect (example of Army Salute)
3. The churches of Christ…
a. Are not a denomination – like a cult is known as today (Church of Christ)
b. It refers to churches belonging to Christ (Matthew 16:18) “My church”
c. Are all the local, gathered and committed people called Christians, in every town, village and city
d. All the various groups of gathered, committed believers were the churches of Christ!
4. They (hundreds of them across the Middle East) ALL greet the Christians in Rome
5. And one day they will greet all of us when we meet them together in heaven!
6. NOTE: This is not a letter FROM the Roman Church to all the churches in the world, but from all the churches in the world to the church in Rome! Amen!
III. Conclusion
A. How does a list of names in the Bible help us? What does it teach us?
1. That God notices us, and will never forget what you have done for His sake and for the sake of other Christians (Hebrews 6:10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
2. That it matters if you live for the Lord Jesus or not
B. Let’s NEVER take faithful men and women for granted
1. Servants, Disciplers, Labourers and hard workers in the ministry
2. Fellowprisoners
3. Kinsmen and family members
4. All were loved, and special, and brethren and saints!
5. THEY are the engine in a church! They usually are not noticed, but are the heart, the lungs, the feet, the hands of a vibrant, excited, active, victorious Bible believing church!
C. Ask yourself
1. Am I like any of these, or am I too far back in the shadows to be noticed?
2. Is my name written down?
a. Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
b. Your name is recorded in heaven the moment you receive Jesus Christ, believing on His name, asking Him to save your soul!
c. But if you have not humbled yourself before God, and repented, turned from your sins, your name is not there, and you are lost!
d. Don’t die that way! You don’t have to!