Romans 16

We have been looking at some very helpful principles of Christian service in the last several chapters of Romans. Now we need to conclude this great epistle with the benefit of seeing some actual Christian servants. In our lives, the blessing of an example to observe and imitate is of great use in putting principles into practice. Christianity is an incarnational religion. It is the story of a God who visits us in order to rescue us; a religion where we grow together in faith working itself out through love.

Phoebe, who is called here a servant of the church, is just such an example to us. Paul is able to recommend her wholeheartedly to the church in Rome. He does not even have to explain what projects she is going to be working on in Rome, because she is such a trustworthy woman. This must mean that she was very capable, sensible, godly, and commendable in every way. He simply says, "Help her in whatever she may need from you." He also points to her proven record of practical care for Paul, and for many others in the church. This is a great endorsement.

Paul goes on to mention Prisca and Aquila, who he apparently knows to be in Rome at this time. This couple has been exemplary in their Christian service. They have faced situations of great danger together because of their close association with Paul and the message of Jesus Christ. It is one of the delights of our experience in the Christian church that we are brought into contact with many such couples. They work together for the Lord. They each have capabilities that are peacefully and productively used in kingdom work. Many churches that are started, and many acts of great service are pursued, not as the work of individuals, but as the enterprise of one or more couples that God's uses to move His kingdom forward in specific endeavors within this dangerous world. The yield of such loving labors is often more than the people themselves realize. Paul says here that all the Gentile churches have something of a debt of gratitude to the kindness and ability of Prisca and Aquila, now hosting one of the many gatherings of believers in the capital of the Roman Empire.

There are others who are well-known to God for their courage in believing when the faith was first being preached in one city or another. Some are Jews, but others are Gentiles. Some have positions of some public responsibility, but others are surely simple believers who have taken their two copper coins and given what they had to the Lord they love. They are approved in Christ through His shed blood. They are part of the family of God, suffering together for the Name. They are fellow workers in a common enterprise of the greatest importance, the building up of the household of faith throughout the world. They are beloved in the Lord, who work hard for the gospel of grace. They are chosen by God to share together the warmth of a common life together in Christ. Even those who have never heard of their names but who share their devotion to the Savior who died for us, are sending them warm greetings at the end of this important epistle.

It is amazing that God, the Almighty One, knows His people. He knows us by name. He knows our struggles and our works that we perform together for the kingdom. He is very much on our side, and we are very much a part of His family in Jesus Christ. With this wonderful truth in mind, we need to flee from any who would try to break apart what the Lord has put together. The church is to be united in Christ. We need to know enough about evil to see it for what it is and confront it before the enemies of the gospel are permitted to bring serious damage upon the church. There is an adversary against us from angelic realms, but the Lord Jesus is crushing him under the feet of His people by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that is with us and in us.

When all is said and done, this jewel of a book ends with the One who deserves all our praise. The height of Christian doctrine and practice is not in Phoebe, or even in some great couple like Prisca and Aquilla, or in the most amazing apostle who God gives to the church, or in the entire church as the bride; but in God and His Christ, the Son of God, who is the Husband of the church, and the very face of the Almighty One. May all glory and honor be given to the Triune God! He is able to strengthen us according to the Word. We have heard and believed the good news as Christ was preached among us. He is the One who is bringing Jew and Gentile together in one glorious church, saved through one Substitute for sinners. He is the One who is bringing about the obedience of faith according to His own plan, and through the means of His own Word. To Him be glory forevermore, through Jesus Christ! Amen.