SUNDAY November 22, 2020
Laborers in the Gospel
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Romans 16:12-15
Paul knew people would perish without Christ. He was able to lead many people to Christ. The book of Romans shows the amazing love Paul had for people. He greeted Tryphena and Tryphosa who very well could have been twins. We do not know anything about Persis, but interestingly, Rufus was the son of Simon the Cyrenian, who was called upon by Roman soldiers to carry the Cross of Christ:
Then they [Roman soldiers] compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull (Mark 15:21-22).
The next five names Paul listed are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible except here. It is believed Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, and Hermes were all slaves. Commentators believe Philologus and Julia, also Nereus and his sister, and Olympas were all members of Herod the Great’s family who were touched by the Gospel and became saved.
Imagine, these people all had their lives changed, and they began to work with Paul. The Apostle Paul was such a great influence among Herod the Great’s household––incredible!
“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am”
~John Newton~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!