We Honor All in God’s Kingdom
Powerful faith in a fallen kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:20:06
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Bible Passage: Romans 16:1–16
Bible Passage: Romans 16:1–16
I. Recap
Last week, we covered Romans 15:22–33. Paul shared his travel plans with the church in Rome. He explained what had prevented him from coming, why he desired to visit them, and why he planned to leave again. We saw that everything Paul did was informed by his relationship with and commission from the risen Lord Jesus.
First, we have come to plant churches. Paul was hindered from visiting Rome because he was committed to seeing the gospel fully preached throughout the regions where he ministered. We are called to support missionaries and church plants around the world.
Second, we have come to give. Paul was delivering a financial gift for the poor believers in Jerusalem. We, too, should have a posture of supporting the church and the work of the gospel financially.
Third, we have come to refresh one another. Paul wanted to bless the church in Rome and be blessed by them. He desired mutual encouragement and the sharing of spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.
Lastly, we have come to pray. Paul asked the church to pray for his safety and ministry success. His prayers were answered, though not always as he expected.
We pray out of obedience and love for others.
We labor in prayer persistently and hopefully.
God answers prayer, but not always with a yes. We do not pray to bend God’s will, but to better understand it. Sometimes God’s answer is no or not yet, and a good Father knows when to say no.
2. Intro
One of my secret pleasures in life is reviewing places and updating Google business pages that lack good pictures, accurate information, or reviews. I’m a Level 5 Google Guide, and I’ve set up at least three business pages in Sandusky for free. I enjoy it because I want people to know about great businesses—and when to stay away. Reviews and recommendations are huge. Amazon has built much of its business on reviews, and there’s an entire industry dedicated to producing them.
I’m guilty of relying on them myself. Sometimes I do no research and simply choose the first item with a 4.5-star rating. A recommendation carries weight, especially when it comes from an expert, someone of influence, or even better, a close friend. It says, “I approve, validate, and stand behind this.” In today’s passage, we see Paul’s recommended list—not for tents or sandals bought on Amazon, but for fellow laborers in the faith.
3. Exposition
Romans 16:1-2
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
Romans 16:1-2
Romans 16:3-16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
a. Explanation
Paul opens this section with a commendation of our sister Phoebe. As I stated earlier, a commendation is Paul’s way of honoring, recommending, or approving faithful brothers and sisters in the faith. The first person he commends is Phoebe.
Who is Phoebe? From studying the text, we can determine a few things. First, we know she is a believer because Paul refers to her as a sister, a common New Testament moniker for fellow Christians.
It is also safe to say that she was the courier and reader of this letter. The ancient world lacked two things: a postal service for ordinary citizens and widespread literacy. Only about 10–15% of the population could read, so the person delivering a letter was often expected to read it as well.
We see Phoebe is listed as a “benefactor” or “Patron”. This means she was more than likely a wealthier woman, probably a business women who was financial supporter of the church.
We also see Phoebe described as a “benefactor” or “patron.” This likely means she was a wealthier woman, probably a businesswoman, who financially supported the church.
Lastly—and perhaps most controversially—she is called a “servant” or “deacon” of the church in Cenchreae. You may not think that sounds controversial, but this passage often gets loaded into the clip of theological wars regarding women’s roles in ministry, especially conversations about women as teachers and/or pastors. I’m not going all the way down Pandora’s box. Y’all not gone get me today. However, I also won’t walk away without addressing the interpretation.
Some of the most respected New Testament scholars—note I said scholars, not pastors (some scholars are pastors, but not all pastors are scholars)—such as Schreiner, Keener, Morris, and Calvin, along with early church fathers like Origen and Chrysostom, acknowledge Phoebe as a deacon. The real debate is not whether she held that title, but how she functioned in that role and whether that role continues today.
For clarity’s sake, I believe the office of Elder or Lead Pastor (“Lead” is not in the Bible) is reserved for men. However, I do not believe the issue is so definitive that every church with female elders or pastors is living in sin. I have heard strong biblical arguments that are not rooted in liberalism, conformity to culture, or feminism, but in sincere attempts to interpret Scripture faithfully.
With that said, reducing passages like this—or the women who first proclaimed the resurrection, Priscilla’s ministry, or the prophetesses throughout Scripture—to ammunition for debate misses the point. It overlooks the high view that Paul, Jesus, and God have for women in the Kingdom of God.
In the ancient world, women remained one of the most vulnerable and oppressed groups. Women were often denied status, rights, and value. Societies that did not protect them from assault, domestic abuse, and violent crimes.
In the early Jewish writings, in one of their prayers, it says, “Thanks God, who has not made me a woman”. Even today, Muslims in other parts of the world and some here in America believe it’s approved by God to physically discipline, as they say, “a disobedient spouse”.
The message of Jesus and the apostles was often not one of restriction, but affirmation—recognizing women as image bearers of God, inheritors of salvation, business owners, leaders, and valuable contributors within the church.
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
Men & Women both receive spritual gifts from the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor 12:7-11 and in Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
In Jewish tradition, rabbis almost never had women disciples. Yet Jesus had women followers in His ministry (Luke 8:1–3), and throughout Acts women are named as disciples. Tabitha, for instance. Lydia, a financier of the church. Mary, who opened her home as a gathering place for believers. Jesus, Paul, and the Word of God have a high view of women in the Kingdom of God.
So Paul gives Phoebe a “5-star review” and says she was a great aid to him in ministry. Let’s stop with the titles for a minute and see that she was honored because of her work in the Kingdom.
The Bible is not simply a list of prohibitions. When God says stop, don’t, or you can’t, it is almost always related to sin that keeps us from the good He has called us to.
Application: So, what does this mean for us
Honor those among us.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
God has gifted and called women to aid, to serve, and to lead in his kingdom, and to be vital to advancing his kingdom. We should encourage the women around us to do good works. Equip our daughters to be servants of the gospels. Affirm them as leaders and contributors within the kingdom of God.
In my early days of reading the Bible, I skipped Leviticus, genealogies, and lists of names. Years later, I realized they weren’t random names at all, but part of a bigger picture revealing God’s plan and mission to redeem the world back to Himself.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Exposition: I remember hearing a sermon years ago called “What’s in a Name?” The preacher explained that a name can tell you a lot about a person. That’s still true today. I remember talking with a young man who pronounced his name “Adon-i-jah.” I thought it was interesting, so I asked him to spell it. He replied, “Adonijah.” I said, “Oh, Adonijah.” He looked surprised. I asked who named him. He said his father, though they weren’t very close. I asked if his father was a Christian. He said, “Yeah, he was a pastor and preacher.” I told him, “You’re named after the son of David, and your name means ‘Yahweh is my Master.’”
A name can tell you a lot, especially in the ancient world. It could reveal your ethnicity, social status, and gender. Paul mentions 26 individuals in this chapter, 24 by name. It’s not entirely clear whether Paul personally knew everyone listed or if some were known through their reputation. Rather than break down every individual, I want to group them into three categories.
Ethnicity: We see both Jewish and Gentile believers. Prisca and Aquila, Andronicus, Julia, Herodian, and possibly Mary were likely Jewish. Priscilla and Aquila were a ministry husband-and-wife team first introduced in Acts 18:2. They appear repeatedly in Acts and Paul’s letters. They housed believers, traveled on mission, and helped correct doctrine. They were rockstar believers whose names most Christians eventually come to know.
The remaining names are largely Gentile believers with Greek and Latin backgrounds. A few stand out. Epenetus was among the first believers in Asia. Rufus may be the same Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21, the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who helped Jesus carry the cross.
Social Status: Some names point to wealth, influence, or even royalty. In verses 10 and 11, Paul references those from the households of Aristobulus and Narcissus, along with Herodian. These household connections suggest ties to aristocracy, wealth, or royal circles.
Other names—Ampliatus, Urbanus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas—were common slave names. Many reflected either a low social standing or aspirations of greater status. (Think of naming your kid Mercedes.)
Gender: Paul mentions 9 women and 17 men. Of both, he says they “worked hard” and were fellow laborers in the gospel. That should not be overlooked. Paul’s decision to honor and name nine women is significant and reflects the value placed on their service in the Kingdom of God.
For comparison; The second largest religion, Islam, in the Quran references only one woman by name: Mary, Jesus’s mother.
Explanation: Paul lists these names for two reasons: so the Roman church would know he had influence among them and that his gospel, doctrine, and authority should be accepted; and to acknowledge, commend, and honor all the hardworking people at every level of God’s diverse kingdom.
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect;
One last thing ties this all together. Paul closes with “greet one another with a holy kiss.” This was a customary greeting among family members and close relationships, similar to a firm handshake, a good hug, or, as Black folks would say, a dap. What makes it interesting is that it was uncommon for the wealthy to kiss slaves or for women to greet non-relative men this way. During a first-century plague in Italy, women, slaves, and the poor were less affected because of this. Paul’s final greeting gives dignity and honor to every person, regardless of background, status, gifts, or contribution. This is the Kingdom.
What does this mean for you and I.
We are to honor everyone in the Kingdom and acknowledge our fellow laborers in the diverse faith. Whether they clean up, plan meetings, set tables, feed hungry people, encourage the downtrodden, pray for the saints, print flyers, send emails, or prepare food, they are worthy of honor. Regardless of education, vocation, ethnicity, or background, their time and gifts matter.
I’ll share something that really upset me. A man was sacrificing his free time after work to serve in ministry. Someone complained that the ministry leader scheduled meetings around his own work schedule. When I brought it to the leader, he replied that his job was more serious and therefore more valuable. I almost lost it. I rebuked him and said, “That man works to provide for his family just like you, and he sacrifices his time for ministry just like you.”
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
I, Calvin, greet you, my fellow brothers and sisters, and want to acknowledge some among you.
You should know and greet the people who help clean the church:
Dave and April Pravlik,
Alex, Blanca, Anthony, Isaiah, and Brandon. Brandon not only helps with cleaning but also provides rides home when he can and assists with the pantry.
You should also know those who serve in children’s ministry: Amber, Isaiah, Amanda, the Kliers, the Danneckers, and the Pavlaks.
Jose has helped with numerous electrical issues.
Ed assists with church projects, and
Sal helps with worship and tech.
You should greet and know
Hannah serves faithfully with slides and tech on Sundays, takes pictures at events, and volunteers in countless ways.
Becca manages visitor and member information, maintains announcements, and somehow coordinates with Nate’s and my hectic schedules.
Ben faithfully teaches Bible study on Wednesday nights and handles our tech needs, including fixing the things Nate and I tried to fix first.
Lindsey works tirelessly in hospitality, making sure events are planned, organized, and cleaned up well.
Jennifer leads children’s ministry, laboring in prayer, vision, research, and teaching so our children are never neglected in their spiritual formation.
You should really get to know
Anthony serves however he can—cleanup, transportation, unloading trucks, setup, teardown, pantry days, and Hispanic Pantry. If someone forgets their role, Tony is often the one who steps in and gets it done.
Ben and Becca regularly open their home and support others without any desire for recognition.
Matt and Hayley run the New Day Pantry, serving nearly 70 families each month through ordering, packing, distributing food, coordinating volunteers, and handling setup and teardown in rain, snow, sleet, or shine.
Justin and Lindsey love to give and serve those in need. Honestly, we sometimes have to slow them down because they help so much. They open their home, kitchen, and resources to others by the grace of God.
Dave and April are incredibly encouraging people with a heart to serve, love the lost, and see Jesus glorified. Dave is now one of our primary children’s teachers. I could go on for days about their service, but it would be longer than the sermon.
Last but not least, Nate and Jen have hearts of service, sacrifice, and community, with an ability to serve wherever and whenever needed. They are honorable among the saints.
