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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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FINAL
GREETINGS - 3 (Romans
16:10-13) 6/7/09 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert IV. PAUL GREETS OTHER BELIEVERS IN ROME
(16:5b-16) B. Group 2 (10-13) 1.
Apelles a)
As will be the case with almost all these names, the only information we
have on them is found in this epistle. Apelles <a-pel'-ez> appears to
be a common Jewish name according to the International Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. b)
What is striking about Apelles is the fact that he was called “the approved”
in Christ. The word approved is the familiar Greek New Testament word dókimos, which means to be tried
and tested, or examined. How Apelles was tested is completely unknown to us.
However in Ja 1:12, we read of James’ idea of being tested (dókimos). The believer who perseveres
under trial, “once he has been approved (dókimos),”
will receive the crown of life. Apelles may have gone through severe testing
but came through in such an exemplary way, that he earned the title, “ton dókimon” (“the approved”). 2.
household of Aristobulus a)
Paul does not actually greet Aristobulus <ar-is-to-bu'-lus>, but
“those belonging to his household.” According to Lightfoot, he may have been
the grandson of Herod the Great and brother of Herod Agrippa I, in which case
he would have been a wealthy man and close friends with the emperor Claudius.
It is doubtful that Aristobulus became a Christian or that he was even still
alive. b)
The ones Paul was writing to were Aristobulus’ former slaves and possibly
family members who had become believers. Now property of the emperor, Aristobulus’
name would have remained over his household. 3.
Herodion a)
Herodion <he-ro'-di-on>, because of his name was most likely a
servant to the Herod Family and quite possibly the household of Aristobulus. b)
Herodion evidently was a Jew because Paul calls him “my kinsman” (see Ro
16:7). But to be greeted by Paul in this letter (Paul was writing to “to all who are beloved of God in Rome,
called as saints” (Ro
1:7), he would have to also be a spiritual kinsman. 4.
household of Narcissus a)
The household of Narcissus <nar-sis'-us> would quite possibly also refer
to the servants of the household. As for Narcissus, several are mentioned by
historians. There was one well known to Nero and one well known the emperor
Claudius. Bishop Lightfoot holds to the latter (Phil, 175) "the powerful freedman Narcissus, whose
wealth was proverbial (Juv. Sat. xiv.329), whose influence with Claudius was
unbounded, and who bore a chief part in the intrigues of this reign, alone
satisfies this condition." This Narcissus was put to death three or
four years before the epistle of Romans, but his servants would have remained
under his name. b)
Paul refers only to those of Narcisus’ household who are true believers
(“in the Lord”). These are the laborers of the Kingdom of Christ. Paul’s life
was focused upon the Lord’s work and the Lord’s people (Ga 6:10). 5.
Tryphaena and Tryphosa a)
Tryphaena <tri-fe'-na> and Tryphosa <tri-fo'-sa> were
probably sisters, and possibly twins going by there euphonic
(“sweet-sounding” phonetically) names, which mean “delicate” and “dainty”
(McGee). b)
Though these women had delicate names, they were continuously (present
participle) and tireless working (kopiáō - hard and wearisome
labor) for the Lord, much like Mary (vs. 6) 6.
Persis a)
The name Persis <pur'-sis> comes from Persia and perhaps she or her
family were captured from that region, making her a servant. b)
The fact that Paul does not say, “my beloved” indicates that he did not
know her personally but heard of her reputation. Persis’ labor of love made
her beloved by the believers in Rome. c)
She is now the fourth women whom Paul has referred to as a tireless
laborer (kopiáō). 7.
Rufus and his mother a)
It is possible that Rufus <roo'-fus> may have been the son of Simon
of Cyrene. Simon of Cyrene was the man who was forced to carry the Lord’s
cross (Mt 27:32; Lk 23:26). Mark identifies Simon as being the father of
Alexander and Rufus (Mk 15:21). Though Rufus was a common name, Mark
apparently identifies Rufus because of his status in the church. b)
Paul calls him a “choice man in the Lord.” Though it possible to
translate “chosen one” as other versions do, it would not mean that he was
chosen in the Lord for eternal life. All of the believers mentioned here and
all believers of all time have that blessing (Ep 1:4). Rather, it suggests
that Rufus was an outstanding and distinguished believer. c)
Rufus’ mother is also to be greeted. Paul obviously knew her because he
calls her “his mother and mine.” Rufus’ mother ministered to Paul and he affectionately
referred to her as his spiritual mother. B. Observations and Applications 1.
Apelles: Tested Laborers a)
The tested laborer is the laborer who has passed his trials and has shown
himself steadfast in his course. b)
The true laborer of the Lord does not give up when major trials come his
way. He does not grumble or complain but “remains under” (hupoménō - “persevere” Ja 1:12)
God’s testing until God is sovereignly satisfied. In fact, he sees them as a
test to produce and display the character of Christ. 2.
Imperial Servants - Status Quo Laborers a)
Whatever job you have and wherever you are located, you can be an
influence for Christ. Believers are imperial servants of the King of Kings. b)
There is always a Christian under-current throughout history because the
world does not see it. But, the Christian under-current is there because it
is directed by the hand of the Lord and is therefore a divine “over-current.” 3.
Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis: Women Laborers a)
Jesus and Paul liberated women to a higher status. In Christ all possess
an equal standing (Ga 3:28) and answer directly to Christ. b)
There will be different roles, but all have believers have experienced
Christian liberation, elevating them to the privilege of Christian service. 4.
Rufus: Choice Laborers a)
The Lord calls us to live above the level of mediocrity and become a laborer
of character, integrity, and excellence. b)
It is more important who we are than what we do. But who we are, will
dictate how we do what we do (Pr 22:29). May we be choice laborers in Christ. |
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