The Wisdom of God (Romans 16)

To the only wise God.

Good evening brothers and sisters, Sometimes in our readings we come across chapters that at first glance seem to be very lacking in content , what is there in thes chapter that will teach us anything. is it just a list of names and some greetings. But we then read the last verse, verse 27

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27 to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Yahweh who only is wise, all scripture is given through inspiration from Yahweh. The scripture is then written through that wisdom, and so must be there for a very good reason, we just need to work for it, and dig a little deeper sometimes, as it may not leap out of the page to us.

The initial phrase in this last verse, of the last chapter “To God” means to the one God, or to god who only is god. The word for wisdom is not how our language might see it, meaning comprehensive knowledge, but more accurately ‘God who in everything is wise’ and understands completely. And so the statement is we should praise the one and only God who alone is all-wise. Which is parallel to love, of which his love agapae is only true and only exists because of him and only originates from him. Love cannot be gained elsewhere and its only source is from him. It is exactly the same with true wisdom, it only originates from him and given by him only. Wisdom is the last characteristic of Yahweh described in Romans, other characteristics you will see in a study of the book of Romans will be, a witness, Incorruptible, impartial, judge, God of all men, God of patience, of hope, and of Peace.

So looking into it, It is the last chapter in the book where Paul gives greetings to individuals and groups, there are about 30 individual’s greeted by name, then if we take into account the unnamed people and groups we could run into about 70 to 80 people in total, who are greeted by the apostle at the end of this letter. In this here lies the first lesson and a very important one, as important now as it was then, especially for those who are alone. As we know how good it makes us feel if we receive a greeting or encouragement, it helps us stay on track and helps keep our faith strong. As part of fellowship, being a door keeper and greeting those who enter the ecclisia, is a very important role of encouragement to our brothers and Sisters in the faith that we share.

But what else is there, in this chapter of greetings, that is there to teach us and build us up, there must be more , as our title says to the only wise God, the chapter is here for a purpose, and if we only work a bit harder at delving into the words of the chapter we will find his wisdom for us to see and benefit from, and to force us to examine our own lives, and try to measure ourselves against this list, of what we shall soon see is a list of amazing faith and actions and steadfastness and sacrifice.

Lets look first at verse 23, to give us a taste of the depth that this chapter holds for us.

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

Gaius mine host Or as the NIV states ‘who’s hospitality I enjoy’. Gaius was one of the two people in the Corinthian ecclesia who Paul had Baptised and in association with that he stated that he was pleased, that he had not baptised any more of them. But it was in the context, that in the terrible problems that they had brought upon themselves, that they were arguing with one another, but because he had only baptised two, he couldn’t either be tempted to favour one group or another, nor could any group accuse him of so doing. As he had only baptised two of them.

But here he is mentioned as Pauls host, so there is a picture developing here that Paul is being offered hospitality by Gaius, but it was not just a tiny room, with just a table and a chair, it was a very sizable room, how do we know this well lets look at the preceding verses

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21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

So we have 5 named people in these verses that were also in the room, and then verse 23 which we read

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

And the whole ecclesia, so the house was not only big enough to house the 6 or seven brethren named, but big enough to also hold an entire ecclesia for all its meetings. Then when we think back to what we know in 1st and 2nd Corinthians about this ecclesia and we realise that it was a sizable one.

So now we can see by reading these few verses that this man Gaius had some considerable wealth behind him to be able to purchase and maintain a sizable amount of property. So we see also here another lesson to us along with sending greetings to encourage others on their walk in the truth, and make meetings aware of the coming or presence of a brother or sister. So that they could be expected and accepted when they arrive. But now We have a lesson of hospitality for brethren and sisters.

Today we have young family members , sometimes they are baptised and are our brethren and sisters, going off to university and are in need of fellowship and hospitality. We have the list going up of visiting speakers who may require looking after while they work in the service of the lord at our meeting. Do we brethren and sisters make an effort to put ourselves forward to make sure they get the help they require, or do we get announcements that we still haven’t got someone to look after brother or sister that are visiting.

When one of our members organises a fellowship activity do we do our best to attend and help build each other up or make excuses why we can’t attend, and when we go to we do our best to join in and help and make sure no-one is alone, and that all duties and tasks are done. This is an extremely important part of our walk in the truth, that we fellowship one with another, and help each other out in anyway we can.

So here is Gaius using the gifts that were given to him by God to benefit his fellow believers giving hospitality to Paul and his team, and giving the ecclesia somewhere to hold the meetings. For he remembered and demonstrated as we should that all things come from Yahweh, and should be used in the spreading of his word and the helping of others in the truth. Do we brothers and sisters spend enough time with our ecclesial family, do we notice issues and help humbly, do we build each other up as it physically hearts us to see our family in the truth struggle or suffer, as commanded in the scriptures, if it doesn’t we really need to take a look at our selves and think about what Christ would say about our behavior.

Now lets go to another verse and verse 3, which contains two names which we will be more familiar with Pricilla and Aquila

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3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

So these next two named people in the truth are described as my helpers in Christ Jesus. These two are mentioned 5 times in the new testament, and it is significant that on two occasions Aquila is mentioned first, and the other three Pricilla is mentioned first.

On the two occasions it is at more formal occasions like when we might be introduced as MR and MRS, but on the other three occasions it is when they are working for the lord and that they are teaching others the gospel like they did with appolus, it is Priscilla that is named first on these occasions, and so it is clear that in their home she is the one that leads spiritually.

The phrase “My helpers” here in our verse is the greek word sunergos which signifies those who are welded together with one purpose. Which gives a lot more power to the statement showing just how much they helped Paul. The RV renders it fellow workers, and they had identified themselves with the labour of Paul, which he now in turn acknowledges.

Then if we read on we find some more information about them not written elsewhere.

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4 who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

So this tells us that in another event in the scripture Pauls life was at risk, and at that point they put their own lives at risk to deliver Paul out of that danger. And so he gives thanks to them for this, but not only him but all the ecclesia’s of the gentiles. This means two things, firstly that it happened a while back so that word was able to spread to many ecclesia’s. But more importantly that Paul was then able to carry on his work of preaching the word because of their help. Here teaching us how important our actions in the truth are, no matter how big or small, the impact may not be instant and may not be to people close by, but it is still hugely important and could affect a lot of brethren and sisters in the future.

We may have problems ourselves and be able to deal with them, but the ripples they create may create bigger problems for others, we have a great responsibility in our marriages and our families and our ecclesias, to do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh. Even when our earthly minds tell us its not fair or look at the way i am being treated, or look what someone else is doing. We should always think back to scripture and how Christ was treated, that was not fair and a lot worse than anything we experience, we have no leg to stand on when we think of it in that way. Also Yahweh placed us in our marriages not us, Yahweh placed us in our families not us, yahweh placed us in our ecclesias not us, and for a reason, we owe him our lives and should show him we understand that, in the way we act in everything that we do.

In terms of the event that they helped paul, this event could be linked to the fact that they were with him in Ephesus at the time of the riot led by Demetrius in acts 19. And paul wrote of his troubles in asia “that we were pressed out of measure , above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life” 2 cor 1 8. Here then could have been the occasion when they at great personal risk exerted themselves on behalf of the apostle.

Another point about Pricilla and aQuilla is that, where ever they are mentioned, and where every they were currently setup, they are also known for their hospitality, a lesson that we have already mentioned tonight. Again, their home where ever they were, was used for the benefit of the ecclesia, that meetings could be held in their home. All that they had been granted by Yahweh was used in the spreading of the truth and in helping others to do so. Do we open our homes to our brethren and sisters, and do they welcome our invitation, and do we share that opportunity for fellowship, this should be done when we are well and when we are ill, when we are ok and when we are in trouble, for Yahweh commands us to share are gifts and our troubles that we may build one another up.

They had originated from Rome but had been driven out by the edict that no Jews and thereby Christians were not allowed to live within the walls of the city.

Verse 5

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

The first phrase in this verse “Likewise greet” this is the greek word aspazomai which is to enfold the arms,salute and welcome, or to recognise each other in a fraternal atmosphere. The verse goes on to state as I have said Pricilla and aquilla’s hospitality and the ecclesia setup in their own home. Then we have “salute my wellbeloved”. I mentioned earlier the true love of yahweh that only exists because of him that agapae love. Well we have the word here agapetos one who is ready to sacrifice in his love for the truth. Which is throughout this chapter in these faithfull examples, we should examine ourselves and our actions, and strive to show these qualities, and these characteristics. Are we ready at any moment to sacrifice all we have for Christ and our Brothers and sisters, for we should.

Now lets go back to verse 1

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I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

The first verse starts with the words “I commend you’ so straight away we see paul writing a letter of commendation, and this was a tradition among romans to send a letter of commendation when someone was visiting a long way away, and it was a form of recommendation, to a city where they might not know anyone, and it was a policy among believers as well. Which is still carried on today, and as I mentioned helps the visitor be expected, and allows for the preparation of their coming, and helps them be excepted, they are true believes not strangers just trying to gain entry. But again are we welcoming to strangers to be able to preach to them or are our doors closed and locked to outsiders, are we cold to them if they are able to come in, have we forgotton our duty to preach and save the called, have we forgotton Yahwehs love and protection, are we negletting his gift of wisdom, given that we must make it work.

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I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

So Phebe is travelling alone, in one sense, on her way to Rome, although she would probably attach herself to another group for safety reasons traveling in the same direction. She is also described as a servant of the ecclesia that is at Cenchrea, which was 6 miles to the south of Corinth, so after doing that 6 miles she was now visiting this ecclesia in Corinth.

Paul is recommending her because she is a servant of the ecclesia, and two words in this verse show that Phebe was an extremely influential sister. The word servant here will later be used in the bible as a word for a particular office, which is the deacons. But in this occasion it does not mean she was a deaconess, it refers to the more practicalities of the role of a deacon. It is showing that phoebe would server others at her own cost, she showed the characteristics of those that would later become deacons. So more in line with

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5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

10 well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

But not in contradiction with

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11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Likewise all other sisters mentioned in this chapter had great faith and kept to the meaning of the verses just mentioned.

So this sister Phebe who was well know at her ecclesia in cenchrea, was also known for her great generosity and hospitality, and in doing anything she could in the furthence of the truth at her own expense to help others. Then we have the next verse

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2 that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Here we have the second word that helps us understand her that she was a succourer of many, this word confirming her position as a pillar in the ecclesia and community, succourer meaning someone who gives help in times of need or distress or difficulty. So she looked after many and that also included Paul himself as at a point he was suffering possibly from some illness

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3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Of which he was looked after in Cenchrea and recovered

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18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

Suggesting that is was Pheobe and her hospitality and the mention here specifically of her help that she had helped him recover.

This second verse also states, that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you, which is a very important statement. Its not just saying help her at the meeting, or when she is doing jobs for the meeting, its whatsoever business she has need of you. It means to help in all areas not just in the meeting and not just are brethren and sisters all those in need.

So we have been looking at hospitality and giving help to others so far in the verses we have looked at, which Pheobe excelled at. But what does her name mean and come from, well it is the name of a goddess, and so her name shows us that this faithful sister had a history and past that was from a Pagan family. A woman who’s family would have worshiped idols and she had come out of that family to be a servant of the house of God. It would have taken strength and courage to do that, and those characteristics were now being used in the service of our Lord. The next point we see here is that she was such a pillar and so trusted by the eccesia and also by Paul as we can see from the last few words of verse 2, she was to be given the job of taking his letter to Rome.

This is another very important point as Paul had timothy who he often sent with letters and to trouble spots, he could have sent Luke , he also had two of his countrymen he could have sent, but instead he entrusted this sister with taking this letter of importance to Rome. And it was important and influential, for as my point earlier seemingly small actions can have actions of gigantic proportions. This letter on arrival may have been read by hundreds, and if that were not enough later by thousands, and now today by millions if not more have read this letter carried to rome by a sister.

Sisters have equal responsibility in Christ, we know that but they can also have great responsibility in the ecclesia and a very important role in the spreading the word of God. Which should also take our minds back to one of the most important events in christs life and his resurrection, that message was carried by a sister to other sisters who were then told to tell the disciples. Which also parallels to the fall, that if a woman was involved then it is wonderful that a sister is then involved at the time of salvation. So we can see how important the role of sisters is within the ecclesia and in the work of the truth. But as we have seen earlier with the office and characteristics of the deacon, sisters should operate within the dictates of scripture and there are those things that they must not do, but there characters and ability to sacrifice on behalf of the ecclesia is essential work that we should all be aware of and encourage. We should always remember how important the work of the sisters in our ecclesia’s is.

Now on to something different lets go to verse 7

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

The word kinsmen which appears in this verse depending on the way it is used can mean either my countrymen or it can mean my relative. And in this verse it does mean relative, whereas later it is used in the form of countrymen in referring to the Jews. So he is saying Andonicus and Junia his relatives who had suffered imprisonment with him, and were known or there works in the truth were know of the apostles, who at this time would have still been in and around Jerusalem.

A small point here is that early manuscript translations have Junia in the femmine form showing junia to be a sister and Later translation manuscripts have it as Junias in the masculine showing this to be a brother.

We then look at the last phrase in the verse ‘who also were in Christ before me’. So what did Paul do as Saul before he preached the word, he persecuted the Jews. He went into the Jews homes and thrust them into prison. Which raises a few questions on what might have been, with his relatives being in Christ before he was. Them being persecuted because of their belief and being of note with the apostles because of it.

Lets now look at verse 12

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

It can be seen clearly that these two names are verses are very similar and from the same routs tryphena and Tryphosa and the same derivation. It was a name that was used to describe sisters in a family and very often sisters that were twins, and the names mean delicate and dainty, and they were names that were given to slaves. Just like today where aristocracy would not even think of giving their children commoners names. And also the other way round commoners were not to give their children aristocratic names. So it was in the roman empire, there was a list of names given to the slaves only. And in this verse we ha e two of them listed. We have described here twin sisters who were slaves, yet were called delicate and dainty, and that are described as laboured in the lord. Now this is an interesting point, as in greek like in English and many other languages there are words for different levels of work. Which, we also may find, in any situation, out of the workers, there are those that work because they have to, those that work because they are pushed into it, those that do the bare minimum, those that do work for show, but there are also those that work because they want to , for no recognition sought, and do to the maximum of their ability and despite self and for the benefit of others. That’s what we have here, a selfless, and roll your sleeves up, and get stuck in type of work.

So we have twin delicate sisters who work hard in the lord for others, despite self. So we have a great example to us today , how we should not hide under circumstance, but use circumstance in our work in the lord.

Now lets look at verse 10

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.

We have seen the hospitality of Gaius and Pricilla and Aquila and the ecclesia’s in there households, but what here of Appelles who is he and why is he mentioned. He is the grandson of herod the great, and the son of herod Agrippa, and we know what herod Agrippa did to john the Baptist, we know the lack of truth in that household would have been. But yet there is a greeting to the brethren and sisters of that household. Also Apelles was seemingly prominent in the ecclesia in his house, and his name means without cover or unable to hide. Which would be the case considering his lineage. How do we know he was prominent, well the statement approved in Christ, is Dokimazo, which is normally used to define the testing of metals by fire, thus signifying a person who has been proved under trial. Paul probably had in his mind a situation where this brother had suffered under persecution for the sake of Christ, but during that experience he had remained steadfast unmoveable in his faith to is master.

Then we have verse 11

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

Who is Narcissus mentioned in this verse, well he is the right hand man of the emperor Claudius, and secretary to Claudius Caesar, and when he was assassinated narcissus carried on as Tiberius Caesar’s secretary. So he was a man who was right in the heart of roman government , but when Nero came on the scene Narcissus was murdered. But he was so thought of by the people that many of his properties and buildings still bore his name. So how do we think the lives of these believers were who had their meetings in buildings owned by the roman state. Also in the verse the word of here is the greek out of, signifying a divided household, showing that some members of the house where in Christ and some as we have seen were quite the opposite, a very hard household for believers to be in.

Verses we have not touched on yet are verses 8 to 15 which is a long list of names, which may not seem significant as we stated at the start of our talk. But when we take into account an article about an archaeological dig on the appian way the road that goes from the cost to the city of Rome they came across a cemetery and burial ground of freed men and slaves who worked in and around the imperial palace. The burial ground of the men and women who worked for Caesar himself. And when the archaeologists made their report on what they had found there, one section of the report is very interesting in terms of our chapter tonight. The report dated the graves between ad and 150 ad and it contained the following :-

Rome sent by the very persons (speaking roundly) who are here greeted in the Epistle to Rome. A place of burial on the Appian Way, devoted to the ashes of Imperial freedmen and slaves, and other similar receptacles, all to be dated with practical certainty about the middle period of the first century, yield the following names: Amplias, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Rufus, Hermes, Hermas, Philologus, Julius, Nereis; a name which might have denoted the sister (see ) of a man Nereus.

The names are all there from 8 to 15 of our chapter, they might not of had their graves exactly in that chamber, but they at some point worked in that house. So what would their lives be like, yes we have it difficult at times, but then 24 hours a day they could be called as slaves in Caesars house. Then they could be flogged or killed for refusing to do so. Yet they remained faithful fully working unto the lord. Do we moan brethren and sisters at the comparable inconveniences that we have to put up with. If so, we should think upon this chapter and the situations they had to put up with and their examples of faith and hospitality.

Lets now move on to another point, and look to another name and now in verse 23

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

Here we now have Erastus the chamberlain, and in the niv it has him as the master of public works. And again we can look to the archaeologist who have found an enclosed garden and in it was a paved area on which was an inscription in Latin ‘Erastus commissioner of public works bore the expenses of this pavement. He was a very important official at the government in Rome and yet he spent money out of his own pocket, money for the poor. Which is again a demonstration of do good unto all men, so we must use our means in the direct actions of promoting the gospel. But we must also take note that the reputation of Christ is shown in us on how we exhibit his qualities. If we are able to do this like we have seen in our chapter it can be a remarkable testimony of our work in Christ.

What would have strengthen those that are written about in this chapter, where did they get there resolve faith and steadfastness ? It was from the scriptures like

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10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:

Be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

This is a lesson we should learn to help us in our walk

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22 Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.

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6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

What would it have been like were for the first time slaves and the masters were sitting together in the ecclesia’s, able to talk openly between each other. It would have taken great humility, tolerance and understanding for both groups both the masters who were used to having complete control and slaves used to only speaking when spoken to and not allowed their own opinion, now on equal standing in the ecclesia.

As we come to the return of Christ we are finding problems in our ecclesia’s, when some have their own ideas, and it causes divisions in the ecclesia’s. Yet we are so blessed compared to the ecclesia’s in the first century we should be able to do much better.

Lets take a look at romans 15 7

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Or accept one another just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to yahweh.

We expect Christ to forgive us our sins, whatever they are, but how do we deal with people who don’t quite see things as we do, or as we say offend us, which we have no right to say that really, accept one another just as Christ accepted you is what we have here, in order to bring praise to yahweh

Chapter 14 and verse 1

Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations.

Accept him that is week without passing judgement on disputable matters, and him who is week is what we would think the other one is and that we are the strong one. But Paul states whatever our opinion this is the situation accept him whos faith is week without passing judgement on disputable matters

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10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Why do you judge your brother or why do you look down on your brother, we will all stand before Gods Judgement seat

Therefore verse 13

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13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Lets not judge each other but rather make sure we do not put stumbling blocks in each others way.

Along with this is a warning in our chapter and verse 17

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

We must balance not causing offence and not causing stumbling with making sure that divisions are not created, and that doctrine is kept firm and strong, and help those that stray in their ideas on doctrine, so that all may walk in one truth faith and of one mind.

We have looked at our chapter and seen gods wisdom, and we are very fortunate people, we have been given Yahwehs wisdom through his word, we have been granted the opportunity of eternal life, he has clearly told us he will not fail us, he will fight for us, are we letting him down, or will we let him down in the near future, if we are tested will we remain as those we have spoken about steadfast in the work of the lord, hospitable and generous working all things we have been granted to the helping of others despite ourselves. We must pray more for guidance, to thank Yahweh for what he has done for us, and we must read more that the scripture sink deep within our hearts and minds, and we must attend more to have fellowship more, from Yahweh it is not a request it is a command.

And so we conclude with the final verses of our chapter and in the book of Romans, for we have seen his wisdom throughout even this chapter packed full of wise words and examples of works of faith of Christ like characteristics, evidence of bible truth, the impact of our actions, the lightness of our afflictions compared to those in this chapter and even more so when compared to the eternal weight of glory in the kingdom and an everlasting gift of life with brethren and sisters of like precious faith.

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26 but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.