Service in Action

I. Phoebe the Servant, and other hardworking women

Romans 16:6 NKJV

Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Mary was a very common Jewish name, so there’s no way of knowing who she was. But she too worked hard.

Romans 16:12 NKJV

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.

Their names mean lit. “dainty” and “delicate,” yet these two women were hard workers. the names were popular for slaves. Persis means lit “Persian woman,” and was a common name for a slave acquired from Persia.

II. Priscilla and Aquila, and other house church leaders

Romans 16:3–5 NKJV

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Romans 16:14–15 NKJV

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.

Paul met and worked with them in Corinth Acts 18:1-3

They left Corinth with him and went to Ephesus Acts 18:18

They educated Apollos

Acts 18:24-26; 1 Cor 16:19

Acts 18:24–26 NKJV

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

1 Corinthians 16:19 NKJV

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Romans 16:7 NKJV

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Andronicus and Junia are likely another husband/wife team. They are probably Jews, though “kinsman” could mean an immediate relative, it most probably means that they are Jewish. Now the name “Junia” could be a man’s or a woman’s name in Greek; most think its a woman’s name. They are “of note among the apostles” which most likely means that they are known to the Apostles. Some try to make Junia a “female apostle” but this is rather dubious. If they were well known apostles, how come this is the only place in Scripture that mentions them. And it is not certain in the first place that Junia is a woman at all. Paul’s point rather is that they are well-established Christians of good reputation in the Jewish Christian community.

Romans 16:10–11 NKJV

Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

Two families of people are named “Aristobulus” and “Narcissus.” This could be because they retained the name of a deceased famous ancestor. Like the “Kennedys,” today. Or it could be because the family was saved {women, children, and slaves], and the patriarch wasn’t.

III. Beware of false or divisive teachers

IV. Encouragement to obedience

V. Strength to the Glory of God

A. By the Gospel which is the Preaching of Jesus

B. By the Revelation of the mystery

It was kept secret for long ages

Ephesians 3:4–6 NKJV

by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

It is made known to everyone at the command of God

It is made known so all nations may obey God’s command and believe.