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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 - 4 (Romans
16:10-14-16) 6/14/09 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor IV. PAUL GREETS OTHER BELIEVERS IN ROME
(16:5b-16) C.
Group 3 (14-16)
i.
Leaders of a House-Church in Rome 1.
Asyncritus a.
This next list begins with five names stated together. The general
consensus is that these five men were elders of another house-church in Rome.
There is no significance of a house-church other than that is a place to
meet. Homes turned into facilities, facilities turned into church buildings.
This is very similar to Jewish worship, which began with a portable
tabernacle and finally turned into the Temple and synagogue. b.
The first name mentioned was Asyncritus <a-sin'-kri-tus>, a name which was
found on an inscription referring to an imperial freedman. The name means “incomparable”
and would be a difficult name to live up to. 2.
Phlegon a.
Next there was Phlegon <fle'-gon>. His was a well-known name among slaves and
freedman, including one freed by Claudius. b.
However, this Phlegon was freed by Christ
regardless of his status. 3.
Hermes a.
Hermes was probably a slave at one time, since slaves were often named
after the gods. b.
To be sure, this Hermes’ name was written in the book of life. 4.
Patrobas a.
Patrobas <pat'-ro-bas>
may have been short for “Patrobius” <pat'-ro-bi-us> and was perhaps a slave or freedman of his
household of Patrobius. b.
Patrobius, himself was a freedman of Nero and was known
for his greed and self-indulgence. 5.
Hermas a.
Hermas was perhaps a shortened name of
Hermes. b.
Though Origen suggested that this was the author of the Shepherd of Hermas, it was probably from a later date. 6.
“and the brethren with them” a.
“Brethren” would be a generic term for men and women in the house-church. b.
It is this phrase that leads us to believe Paul was speaking of a house-church
separate from the one in Prisca and Aquila’s home.
ii.
Leaders of Another House-Church in Rome 1.
Philologus and Julia a.
One of the most interesting names in the Bible is Philologus
<phi-lol'-o-gus>. The name literally means a “lover” (phílos)
“of the word” (logos), or condensed
it means a “student” or “learner.” b.
Julia, who most probably was his wife, had one of the most common Roman
names. c.
They were laborers and leaders to some degree in the church much like “Prisca and Aquila” (vs. 3, 5). 2.
Nereus and sister a.
Next is a brother (Nereus <ne'-rus>,) and sister (unnamed), who were according to
some, children of Philologus and Julia. b.
There are some who propose a connection with an early church writing
named, “Acts of Nereus and Achilleus,”
which influenced imperial servants to chastity. 3.
Olympas a.
Olympas was another common name in the Roman Empire
including imperial freedman. b. Paul again implies these were
leaders of another house-church when he adds, “and all the saints who are
with them.” c.
All 27 names and the churches they were apart
of were fellow-laborers in Christ.
iii.
The Greeting of the churches 1.
Paul gives a salutation for each member of the church to “greet one
another with a holy kiss.” This is Paul’s standard for familial love among
the body of Christ (Ro 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26; cp. 1Pe 5:14). This
“kiss” was on the cheek and not the lips and was meant to be pure and chaste.
It expressed a special affection among those who belong to God. According to
A.T. Robertson, “men kissed men and women kissed women.” Today it is akin to
the Western handshake or embrace. 2.
Paul states that all the churches greet the church that is in Rome. Paul
is referring to those churches with which he was affiliated. A. Observations and Applications 1.
Servant-Leaders Laborers a)
In an interesting twist, these individuals who were slaves under the
Roman society, became leaders in the local
house-church. Though they were leaders, they were servants of the Lord and
served one another in humility. b)
As we labor for the Lord, we may find ourselves in a leadership position.
The biblical mind frame is to be a servant, not lord the position over
others, lead by example (Lk 22:26; 1Pe 5:1-3). 2.
Philologus Laborers a)
Since Philologus was a leader of a house-church
and commended by Paul, Philologus lived up to his
name. He was a lover of the Word. b)
Laborers for the Lord definitely must be a lover of the Word (2Ti 2:15;
1Jn 2:14). If we attempt to labor for the Lord, but do not understand
biblical truth, we are unable to minister and could be ministering in an
unbiblical way. True laborers for the Lord must be “lovers and teachers of
the Word” (2Ti 4:2 cp. Jn 1:1). 3.
Familial Laborers a)
Labor in the body of Christ is labor among family members. b)
The body of Christ works together within the church because of its family
relationship in Christ (Ro 8:16; Jn 1:12; 1Jn 3:1-3) and because of its love
toward one another (Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 3:11; 4:7). 4.
Lesson Learned from this List 3.
Paul’s pastoral heart (27 names) 4.
“commended” the Laborers 5.
Women elevated to ministry 6.
Corporate ministry 7.
Challenge for us to continue in this same manner. 8.
Rufus, choice laborer. A reference to his character. It is just as
important who we are, as well as what we do. Furthermore, who we are, will
dictate how we do what we do (Pr 22:29; 1Pe 1:15-16).
May we be choice laborers in Christ? |
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