We’re coming to Romans 16 where there is a long list of names - greetees and greeters. Often when we come to a list of names in Scripture we’re tempted to skim through the list or skip it all together - rather than mispronouncing a seemingly endless list of names of people that we have no connection with. Let’s be honest - these lists can be as exciting as a bowl of cold oatmeal. When I was preparing for this series I considered ending the series with chapter 15 - not even looking at chapter 16.

Recently I dragged out my old yearbooks looking for a picture of someone I’d gone to school with. Looking at those yearbooks - especially all the notes and greetings that people scribbled all over my yearbooks - I could share with you a list of names that probably no one here would have a clue as to who these people are. Each of us has a list like that - names of people from somewhere that bring up memories - thoughts about life back then - some people that were very meaningful for the influence - good or bad - they’ve had in our lives. People that, we might ask ourselves, “I wonder what happened to so and so.”

Paul has a connection with these people here in chapter 16 - people that were significant to Paul as he ministered around the Roman Empire. There’s a list of those in Rome that Paul sends greetings to. There’s a list of those in Corinth - those with Paul - that send their greetings to the church in Rome. Of those in Rome - there are 3 married couples - and those who are single - a number of slaves - Jews - Gentiles - leaders in the church - leaders in the government and community - 1/3 of the list are women - the others are men. As we look at these people we’re going to see this list is significant. There are reasons why God has preserved this list for us.

Look with me at 16:1: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant - in the original Greek the word for servant is the “deacon” - a deacon 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.

Cenchrea was the port of Corinth - about 9 miles east of the city. There was a church there and Phoebe was a deacon She was called to serve - someone who had been tested in her faith - who was consistent in her service to the congregation. Most probably she was a women of wealth and social standing - who had used her resources to help the church and Paul. She was someone that Paul could recommend whole-heartedly to the Roman Church. It was Phoebe that Paul turned to - to entrust with this precious letter to the church of Rome.

Verse 3: 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.

We’ve seen Priscilla and Aquila mentioned other places in Scripture - always mentioned together. Out of the six times they’re mentioned Priscilla is mentioned first 4 times - like here Priscilla and then Aquila. Which some think may mean that she was more known for her gift of teaching. They’re an example of a couple that has given their lives together in ministry for Jesus.

They were originally from Rome. But in 52 A.D. in the midst of persecution they were driven out of Rome by a edict of the Emperor Claudius. They went to Corinth and became tentmakers with Paul. Probably the first church in Corinth began in their home.

When Paul went to Ephesus - Priscilla and Aquila went with him - again they opened a church in their home. They had a teaching ministry in Ephesus that powerfully impacted the life of Apollos - a man who later became a missionary to Greece. When a religious riot broke out in Ephesus they risked their lives to save Paul’s. When they returned to Rome - again they opened a church in their home. Paul writes that the whole church - even us today - we owe this couple a huge debt of gratitude.

Going on in verse 5: Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

Paul tried twice to go Asia. Finally, on his third missionary journey he made it. Epaenetus was the first one in Asia to believe the Gospel as Paul shared it. Its something we don’t forget. When God uses us to bring to someone to Him. Especially after we prayed for them. Maybe they were resistant. But God worked in their hearts and you had the privilege of leading them to Jesus.

Mary is the third women listed. Mary who worked hard.

Verse 7: Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Andronicus and Junias are the second couple listed. They were Jews from Jerusalem who had come to faith in Jesus before Paul did. Imagine what that would have been like. As Christians they probably watched Paul running around persecuting the church - they had been the object of Paul’s hatred. At yet, at some point - as fellow servants of Jesus Christ - they’d been imprisoned together with Paul. Now they were missionaries - apostles in the broader sense of the word - sent out by the church to evangelize - specifically greeted by Paul .

Verse 8: Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ.

These men we really don’t know any more about that what’s said here. At some point Urbanus had worked with Paul. Apelles was a brother who had had his faith tested and he’d stood up under the pressure.

Going on in verse 10: Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodian, my kinsman.

Notice that it’s the household of Aristobulus that Paul greets rather than Aristobulus himself. There reason for that is because Aristobulus was probably dead. He was probably the grandson of Herod the Great which meant that he had come to Rome as a friend of the Emperor Claudius. He probably died in the late 40’s A.D. Whether he was a believer or not we don’t know. But, there were those in his household - a royal household in Rome - that the Gospel had reached to and they were believers.

Herodian - by name may have been part of the royal dynasty of Herod - which may be why Paul mentions him here.

Going on in verse 11: Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Narcissus - we know from Roman history - was a former slave who became the personal secretary of The Emperor Claudius. When Claudius was murdered and Nero took over - Nero took over Narcissus’ household and forced Narcissus to commit suicide. Apparently there were a number of believers in this household. Which means that the Gospel had reached even into the very heart of the Roman Empire. Paul is sending greetings to the servants and slaves of the Emperor Nero.

Verse 12: Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord - these were twin sisters whose names mean “dainty” and “delicate.” They were anything but that as they worked for the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. This is a woman who may have come from Persia.

Verse 13: Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

Do you remember the man who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross - Simon the Cyrene? In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 15:21) we read that Simon was married and had two boys - Alexander and Rufus - Rufus who’s mentioned here. At some point along the way - probably in Jerusalem - Simon’s wife - Rufus’ mother - came to care for Paul as his own mother.

Verse 14: Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.

Imagine living in the YMCA of Rome. These are all Greeks - probably freed slaves - all of whom lived together with a number of other men.

Verse 15: Greet Philologus - who’s name means “a lover of the word” - and Julia - probably they were a married couple involved in ministry - Nereus and his sister - who may have been the children of Philologus and Julia - and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Nereus is someone we don’t want to pass by. It is probable that he was the housekeeper of a prominent Roman citizen named Flavius Clemens - who later became the Consul or Rome - the highest political office in the city. In 95 A.D., Flavius was condemned to death by the Emperor Domitian because he was a Christian. Its possible that Nereus would have been the one to lead Flavius to Jesus. Nereus later was himself martyred for his faith.

Let’s skip down to verse 21. We’ll come back to verse 17 in a minute. But, first I’d like to introduce you to those that were with Paul in Corinth.

Verse 21: 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. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Timothy we know - Paul’s child in the faith. Lucius may have been a teacher from Antioch. Jason was probably Paul’s host when Paul was in Thessalonica. Sosipater may have been from Beroea. Paul met him in Macedonia and they traveled to Jerusalem together. These are men from all over.

Erastus is mentioned as the treasurer of Corinth. There’s an inscription on a marble paving block discovered in Corinth that reads, “Erastus, commissioner for public works, laid this pavement at his own expense.” It’s very possible that Paul’s Erastus was a wealthy man with great influence in Corinth - the same man on that inscription.

Then there is Tertius. For this you need think about the Borg - 7 of 9 - his designation. Tertius was probably a slave. In those days they didn’t always give slaves names. In Latin, the numbers are Primas = first, Secundus = second, and Tertius, meaning third. His brother Quartus - fourth - is mentioned in verse 23.

Here are these men - of varied backgrounds and social status - gathered in the name of Jesus in the home of Gaius in Corinth. Gaius who was their host and it’s probable that the church - after Priscilla and Aquila went back to Rome - its probable that the church began to meet in Gaius’ home. So, in Gaius home - Paul - is probably pacing back and forth - thinking out loud - dictating as he goes along - and Tertius is sitting - writing down all that Paul says - this letter to the church in Rome.

At some point - in the midst of these greetings - Paul stops and turns to Tertius and says, “Tertius, you’ve been writing all these greetings. Why don’t you send your personal greeting as well.” And Tertius - this former slave - a man who doesn't even have a regular name - is given the honor - along with people like Moses and David and Paul - of writing his own words in Scripture - God’s eternal word - “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

Our God is so incredible in what He allows us to be a part of. Takes people like us and gives us the privilege of serving Him.

Finally - in verses 17 to 20 are those in contrast. Verse 17: Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

In chapters 14 and 15 we looked at those in the church that we might have disagreements with. Do you remember the 3 phrases? Lighten up. Build up. Bear up. These are people who are siblings in Jesus. We’re on the same page. Different places. But at least on the same page.

Here in verse 17, Paul is talking about people who are physically in the church, but spiritually on a completely different page. They’re not on the list. They cause dissensions and hinder the teaching the word - because they aren’t believers. Paul writes - “turn away from them.” Don’t get locked up in endless debates with them. Don’t give them a platform to speak. Don’t include them in the life of the church. Leave them alone.

Please understand that there are people in the church who are not believers. Praise God. They're honestly seeking to understand about God. That's different. We need to welcome people who are looking for God's answers in their lives. But, the people Paul is talking about aren't honestly seeking.

Verse 18: 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.

Years ago I took a summer class at Biola. Rather than buy a meal card at the cafeteria - in order to save money - I had the bright idea that once a day I would go to Sir George’s - the all you can eat place nearby - and eat one good meal a day. As I began the summer I was patting myself on the back for my cleverness and trying to convince others that this was the way to go.

That brilliant idea ended real quick. One day I went to Sir George’s and piled my first plate high with vegetables. My second plate was piled high with meats. When I was done I’d had four heaping plates full of food. Plus beverages and dessert. I rolled out to my car - fell in - drove back to the dorm - rolled onto my bed - stomach up - and slept until my body could begin digesting the food so it no longer hurt.

These - who are not on the list - they’re captivated by their own cleverness. With flattering speech they deceive those who don’t realize their folly. Ultimately they’re not serving God - only their own selfish appetites.

Verse 19 - in contrast: 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 of what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet - God will take care of those who cause dissensions and hindrances. You stay faithful and continue in obedience - The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

There’s a new contest at Starbuck’s. The prize is that Starbuck’s is going to send ten people to Costa Rica to participate on an Earthwatch Institute field research expedition to learn about conservation issues - and hopefully they’ll get free coffee too. The contest brochure describes the opportunity this way: “Make a difference in the world while having the experience of a lifetime.”

That’s us. That’s our privilege as the church. The privilege of making a difference in people’s lives - a present and eternal difference - and along the way - the amazing - God led - experiences of a lifetime.

Some people come to the end of their lives and wonder how they’ll be remembered - what difference they’ve made while they’ve been here. They try to leave a legacy by having their names inscribed on brass plaques or stained glass windows. Some churches have brass plaques on just about everything - even the Styrofoam cups have brass plaques on them. Some give large donations and get buildings named after them - inscribing their legacy permanently on stucco.

There’s a contrast here in these greetings of Paul. Of people who served themselves and of people who served God - who gave everything - serving together - working together - dying together - for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They didn’t do it to get their name inscribed on the pages of God’s word. But, here they are - for eternity - examples for the rest of us of those who lived the adventure of life in Jesus and made a difference.

Church - together - in Jesus - we’re living the adventure of a lifetime. May it be for God’s glory. Together, what difference will we make? What kind of legacy will we leave? One on brass plaques or stained glass windows? Or one which is inscribed in the lives of others for eternity?

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