Saturday 24 April, 2021

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

This passage is a wonderful reminder of the way we should be dealing with one another within the church. Paul encourages the believers in Rome to treat one another in the following ways…

Shower her with hospitality, embrace her with Honour, provide her with whatever she needs, respect them, give my love to them, so thankful for them, give my loving greetings, make sure they are honoured.

And the reasons he instructed this were because they were…

A sister in the faith, shining minister of the church, belongs to the Lord, set apart for Him, great leader, champion for many, partners in ministry serving Jesus, risked their lives, toiled and laboured extremely hard, diligently served the Lord.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the leaders of our church and for those who are working in ministry alongside them, faithful servants who work tirelessly in your name. Lord, please strengthen them, equip them and encourage them and spur us on to be treating them in a way that honours and pleases you. Amen

Written by Jocelyn Petschack