When I am first getting to know people, I always ask questions related to their vocation. I do this because you can learn a lot about people by what they tell you about their work. Even after the initial getting acquainted period, I continue to ask people about their work. This helps me measure their levels of stress, satisfaction, and overall health.

This can be particularly enlightening when I’m talking with a small business owner. When I ask small business owners questions about their business, it can be nearly impossible to shut them up. Even the introverted, small business owner can ramble on for hours on the state of their business. Why is this so? Small business owners have great quantities of time, money, and energy invested in their work. This results in them caring a great deal about their business! So when I talk with such people, I will often ask the question, “How’s business?”

I’d like to ask you that same question: how’s business? This question is posed with a twist though. I’m not asking about how you make a living; I’m asking about how you make a life. Whether you know it or not, you’re a steward that is responsible to conduct business. But your business may not be what you think it is. In Romans 16, we will learn what our business is. As we discover or become reacquainted with our business, we should continually ask this simple question in 2002 — how’s business?

1. We are to be in the people business (16:1-16, 21-23). In 16:1-16, Paul writes,“I commend to you our sister Phoebe,1 who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus,2 my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junias,3 my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena4 and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

Let me introduce you to the rest of the names beginning with 16:21 (we’ll skip a paragraph for a moment). These are the people who are in Corinth sending the letter with Paul: “Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.”

We have come to the end of what is probably the most important document ever written — the book of Romans. Yet, Paul concludes his magnificent epistle by rattling off 28 individuals,5 many who have names that are impossible to pronounce.6 Frankly, this seems like an odd way to end an epistle as high and lofty as Romans. Why does God bother to use precious space in His written revelation for greetings?

For the simple reason that people are very important to God. I’d like to have us focus on why this list appears in God’s Word. There are at least four reasons:

1. To show us that God cares about individuals and knows them by name. Jesus goes even further when He informs us that even “the very hairs of our head are all numbered by God” (Matt 10:30). Obviously, God loves people deeply.
2. To demonstrate that God keeps records on His people, noting the areas in which they have given faithful service. Many of us have visited the Vietnam Memorial or have seen the footage of the memorial for the 9/11 victims. We often honor people for their sacrifices by including them in earthly memorials. Well, God honors faithful people by including them in His Word, which will never pass away (Matt 5:18).
3. To show us that people of all backgrounds, races, social status, and education are of equal importance to God and to His church. In this list of people, there are fellow Jews and apostles, five groups, two couples, two households, five slaves, and two persons of distinction.
4. To highlight the fact that the Church is a family and relationships are extremely important. For the fourth time in his letters, Paul urges the believers to “greet one another with a holy kiss” (16:16).7 This signifies the intimate relationships among God’s people. Paul also writes “all the churches of Christ greet you” (16:16). This speaks of the unity that prevailed in the early church that must be mimicked today.

There are several other interesting tidbits that we must consider:

1. Paul had a long prayer list. Paul loved people and prayed for the saints that he knew. This must have taken a bit of time out of his busy schedule. Yet, it was critical to his success and the success of others. Our Prayer Coordinator, Bob Bassett, has been working like mad to ensure that every person in our church is being prayed for daily. That’s a worthy goal”¦and we’re almost there! What will you do to ensure that we accomplish our goal? Can you pray daily for eight or nine family units?
2. Women are mentioned prominently. A third of those who are mentioned are women. It’s especially interesting that the two people described as “working hard”8 are women. That should come as no surprise to those of us who serve in the church. Women are typically the faithful servants; yet, in many conservative churches we often relegate them to baking cookies and working in the nursery. If I have to error, I would rather error on the side of grace and liberty on the issue of women in ministry. When I stand before Jesus Christ, I would rather have Him say, “Keith, you misunderstood my Word and gave women more freedom to serve and lead than I intended” versus, “Keith, I blessed you with many gifted women but you quenched them and squelched their ability to serve Me.” I’ll take the former rebuke over the latter.
3. There are several single-minded singles with a passion for Christ. In 16:14, Paul mentions, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. These men all had Greek names and were probably businessmen living in Rome and sharing the same residence. Their living quarters were evidently used also as a house church, or at least for the purposes of a fellowship group. This reminds us that singles were a part of the early church and they were highly valued. Paul is a single who is convinced that being single is a good thing (1 Cor 7). A single can invest his or her life in the things of God. As wonderful as a spouse and children are, they are nonetheless a distraction from accomplishing all that we could. If you are single, I urge you to invest the years that you have in the things of God. Please strive to love God and serve Him with your whole heart.
4. There are two courageous couples. Priscilla and Aquila (16:3-4) were willing to risk their necks for Paul.9 Andronicus and Junias served in prison with Paul (16:7). Both of these couples ministered together as dynamic duos (notice the emphasis on the word “fellow”).

Their marriages were for the purpose of ministry. If you’re single, I urge you not to get married unless your future spouse will be a complement to you, spiritually. If he or she doesn’t share your passion for Christ and your desire to serve Him, don’t get married. Continue to wait on God. If you are married, is your marriage a ministry? What will you do to ensure that you and your spouse are focused on Christ and serving Him together?

5. There is one adoptive mother. Rufus’ mother (16:13) served as a mother to the apostle Paul. You may be a widow or a woman who is unable to have children of your own, yet that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a mother. There are many children and even adults that need a mother’s care.
6. House churches are mentioned. These churches are mentioned once (16:5), probably three times (16:14-15), and possibly even five times (16:10-11). The early church was made up of many communities that loved one another. We must also develop this kind of community today. We must focus energy on raising up small groups that can be led and hosted in various homes throughout our community. We must exercise hospitality and invite other people into our homes for times of fellowship. This is what it means to prioritize people.

[We are to be in the people business and...]

2. We are to be in the protection business (16:17-20). Recently, my two-year-old son, Justin, developed E-coli and had to be hospitalized for two weeks. During that time, I served as his primary caretaker so that my wife could watch our other two children. While I was in the hospital with Justin, my primary job was to protect him. I had to make sure he didn’t fall out of bed or choke on his medication. My role was one of protection and prayer. In 16:17-20, Paul shares four duties that we can perform to help protect the church.

1. Stay alert. In 16:17, Paul writes, “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye10 on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned.” We are urged, challenged, and encouraged to watch and be on the alert for those who pollute the body of Christ. Among the “seven [things] that are detestable to [the Lord],” the writer of Proverbs listed in the most emphatic position “a man who stirs up dissension among his brothers” (Prov 6:16, 19). Our eyes must be peeled at all times so that we can identify a dangerous false teacher. This does not mean we are to go around on heresy hunts. Certain Christians tend to be self-appointed, theological watchdogs who sniff at all the saints and bark in disappointment whenever they find one who doesn’t dot his i’s and cross his t’s as he should. This is not God’s desire. But we are to be alert.11
2. Shun false teachers. In 16:17b-18, Paul writes that we are to “turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” We must keep away from these false teachers.12 We must not give them the attention they are wanting. We must be especially aware of their deceptive speech and presume that we are incapable of buying into their lies.
3. Seek to be shrewd. In 16:19, Paul writes, “For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” God doesn’t want us to be naive about doctrine, but He does want us to be naive about evil. He wants us to be pure.
4. Wait for God. In 16:20, Paul writes, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Discord in the church is almost always the work of Satan, but if believers keep troublemakers and their teaching at a distance, God (who is the God of peace and not of discord) will give them the victory over Satan and all his works.

We must always remember the war is over. Christ defeated Satan and the hordes of hell at the cross and then sealed the deal with His resurrection! The victory is complete but Satan is working like he still has a fighting chance. We must battle him by being obedient to the Lord and waiting upon Him.

Now having said all this, it is important for us to realize that the apostle is not trying to squelch disagreement in the church. He’s not trying to stifle constructive criticism or legitimate questions. A church where people are afraid to express their views is not a peaceful church; it’s a prison. Rather, what he desires is that we recognize one another as brothers and sisters, give one another the benefit of the doubt, express our disagreements with respect, but consider the peace of the church more important than our own agendas.

[Paul tells us that not only are we to be in the people business and the protection business, but also...]

3. We are to be in the praise business (16:25-27).13 In this triumphant conclusion, we find three of the major themes in the book of Romans.

1. God strengthens the believer. In 16:25, Paul writes, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past.” The verb “to establish” is used about ten times in the New Testament and refers to a settled, stable spiritual condition — both doctrinally and experientially. It includes not only a knowledge of the truth, but also a commitment to obey the truth. He can establish the believer in his faith. One of the great pastors of the 20th century, Ray Stedman, said, “Many people think they are established when actually they are simply stuck in the mud.” Is this true of your spiritual experience? It doesn’t have to be. If you’ve trusted in the Gospel, God is powerfully able to strengthen you in your faith.
2. God desires that all nations believe and obey Him. In 16:26, Paul finishes his thought: “[this gospel]“¦now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.” This universal offer of the Gospel was not understood as it should have been, in Old Testament times. God put plenty of hints in the writings of the prophets about the fact that the Gospel is for everyone who believes, but the Jews overlooked those hints and claimed salvation as their own personal possession. Now, Paul says, the truth has been fully uncovered. This truth is for you. Though you are a sinner and have fallen short of God’s glory and God’s standards, He sent His one and only Son to die for you, to pay the eternal penalty of your sin. He asks only that you quit relying on any other means to establish a relationship with Him, trusting only Jesus’ sacrifice. When you do that He will declare you, “Not guilty,” and will welcome you into His eternal family.
3. God deserves to be glorified. In 16:27, Paul closes out his book with these words: “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” God deserves to be glorified because He is the sovereign God; He is the only true God; He is the only wise God; He is the only God deserving of honor and glory.

The most important truth that you can take home from the book of Romans is this: God desires, deserves, and demands your worship. He wants you to give Him the glory that He’s due and reflect His glory to others. He yearns for you to passionately pursue an understanding of His nature, character, and attributes. As you pursue a knowledge of Him that naturally results in praise, your marriage, your family, your work, your single life, and your service will all become even more satisfying.

You and I live, move, and have our being for one reason and one reason only — to glorify God. May you and I live to fulfill our ultimate calling and to have our lives changed in the process.

Copyright © 2001 Keith R. Krell. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, C 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission. Permissions: Feel free to reproduce and distribute any articles written by Keith Krell, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this information, not protect or restrict it.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Keith Krell, Timeless Word Ministries, 2508 State Ave NE Olympia, WA 98506, 360-352-9044, www.timelessword.com

Notes

1 Phoebe is commended as “a servant of the church.” Commendations of other people are embedded in Paul’s other letters. This use of the word “servant” (diakonos) does not speak to the technical usage of “deacon” or possibly “deaconess” but to a “servant.” Phoebe was commended so that the Church of Rome would receive and respect her and give her assistance. According to tradition, she carried Paul’s letters to Rome.

2 The NASB spells the name “Epaenetus” as does the NKJV and NRSV. The NIV and NLT alternately spell the name as “Epenetus.” These spelling differences are slight and make no practical difference.

3 The feminine name “Junia” is quite rare in Greek. The masculine “Junias” (as a contraction for Junianas), however, is completely unattested in Greek literature. Further, since there are apparently other husband-wife teams mentioned in this salutation (Prisca and Aquila [16:3], Philologus and Julia [16:15]), it might be natural to think of Junia as a feminine name. This ought not be pressed too far, however, for in 16:12 all three individuals are women [though the first two are linked together], and in 16:9-11 all the individuals are men. In Greek only a difference of accent distinguishes between Junias (male) and Junia (female). If it refers to a woman, it is possible (1) that she had the gift of apostleship (not the office), or (2) that she was not an apostle but along with Andronicus was esteemed by (or among) the apostles. As well, the term “prominent” may simply mean “well known,” suggesting that Andronius and Junia(s) were well known to the apostles.

4 The spelling “Tryphena” is also used by NIV, NKJV, NLT; the name is alternately spelled “Tryphaena” (NASB, NRSV). It may be interesting to note that Tryphena means “dainty” and Tryphosa means “delicate.”

5 Nowhere in Paul’s writings do we find such a lengthy list of personal greetings. Furthermore, Paul revealed an intimate knowledge of their family relationships and Christian service. Some have argued that Paul could not have known so many in a church he had never visited. However, the many who are named here may have been Paul’s friends and converts in other places who had moved to Rome. Since he had never been to Rome, he would have been eager to greet the ones he knew.

6 Twenty-six people are mentioned by name, plus two individuals not listed by name (Rufus’s mother, 16:13, Nereus’s sister, 16:15).

7 Cf. 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; (see also 1 Pet 5:14).

8 Gk. kopiao, laboring to the point of weariness.

9 Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned six times in the New Testament. In four of the six times her name appears first, an observation that has led to speculation. One theory is that she was a noblewoman who married a slave and went off with him to serve the Lord. Another is that her personality was the more outstanding one and that she tended to be the one you thought of first when you thought of the two of them. Whatever speculations are true, what stands out about Priscilla and Aquila is that they ministered together everywhere. Priscilla and Aquila are a wonderful example of having ministry as a couple.

By persecution at times and by choice at other times, they traveled around the Mediterranean world in the service of Christ. They also worked together in the business of tent-making. Note carefully at what Paul says of these two: “…[They are] fellow workers in Christ Jesus.” They had a teaching ministry that is mentioned specifically in Acts. Paul views them as his fellows or comrades. “They risked their lives for me,” he says further. They were people who were willing to do the difficult, dangerous things that required courage.

This couple served as Jewish tentmakers in Rome. However, when Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome in A.D. 49, Priscilla and Aquila found themselves exiled in Corinth. It was there that they met Paul, also a tentmaker, who happened to be at Corinth on his first missionary journey. They had the tremendous privilege of being discipled by the apostle for a year and a half. After he trained them they followed him to Ephesus, where they in turn met and discipled a brilliant scholar named Apollos, giving him a full grasp of the Christian faith (Acts 18:24-26). When the edict of eviction was lifted, upon Claudius’ death in A.D. 54, they were able to return to Rome.

10 Gk. skopein is a present infinitive, which might well be translated, “continually watch out for . . .” (see Luke 11:35; 2 Cor 4:18; Gal 6:1; Phil 2:4; and Phil 3:17).

11 This is the primary task of the elders of the church (see esp. Acts 20:27-32).

12 See also 2 Thess 3:14-15; Titus 3:10; cf. Phil 1:12-18.

13 In the Greek, these verses are one long, involved sentence that reads differently than the usual Pauline doxology.

All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
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