Phoebe

The Apostle's Loving Salute

The Apostle’s Loving Salute

Dave Riddle - 3/01/20

Key Passage: Romans 16:1-16

The Wonderful Messenger - Phoebe 

  • Romans 16:1 - I commend to you our sister Phoebe...

  • Romans 16:2 - welcome her and assist her as she did the same for me.

  • “Servant”: diakonos (Greek: διάκονος) - servant, deacon, helper.

  • An important partner in Paul’s ministry entrusted to deliver this important message.

The Gutsy Couple - Priscilla & Aquila 

  • Romans 16:3-4a - my coworkers who risked their own lives for mine...

    • They discipled and invested in Paul early in his ministry 

    • Read more about them in Acts 18

  • Romans 16:4b - not just significant to Paul, but to all the gentile churches.

The Dedicated Friends - Many people!

  • Romans 16:5-15 - a long list of names.

A Few Takeaways from this list of people

  • Diversity / Unity

    • Diverse: Both Jews and gentiles.

    • Diverse: Significant class diversity

      • This list includes names that were popularly used for slaves.

      • Also included are people of influence and power, including possibly people in Caesar’s own household.

    • Diverse: among the men there are also 9 women mentioned (4 women singled out for their hard work).

    • United: Brothers and sisters in Christ 

    • United: one church united despite their differences.

  • Depth of Relationship

    • These are people who Paul has spent time and served with.

    • Not shallow acquaintances.

  • Strength of Character 

    • Romans 16:7 - “noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles...”

      • Apostle: two ways to interpret this word:

        • Strict: the 12 core disciples of Jesus (minus Judas plus Matthias). Paul is often included in this group as well.

        • General: all those sent out by Jesus.

    • A better translation would probably be: “outstanding among the apostles”

      • Missionaries sent out by Jesus, included among the more general definition of the word “apostle”.

What do we take away from this list of names?

  • An incredibly diverse list like this reminds us of how the gospel unites us despite our differences.

    • It cuts through our differences and brings us together.