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The Twenty-Third Sermon
Romans 16:1-16
The Greetings of Love

Paul's purpose in chapter 16 of the Roman letter was to ask his readers to pass along his greetings and love to particular individuals at Rome, even though there were probably many he'd never actually met in person.  We might naturally wonder how or why Paul would be concerned for these individuals in a church he'd never visited.

There are several possible answers.  Firstly, we should notice that some of those named for greeting actually had met Paul either in his or their travels.  Phoebe, for instance, was a "servant of the church at Cenchrea," and it was there, on his way to Syria and Jerusalem, that Paul cut his hair as a sign of a vow he had taken.  Undoubtedly, then, he became acquainted with Phoebe around that time.  Two more, Priscilla (Prisca) and Aquila, became very close to Paul at Corinth, where they discovered that they shared both Judaism and the tentmaking trade.  The result of that meeting was that by the time Paul left for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila had become so closely bound with Paul in the work of the Gospel that they traveled with him as far as Ephesus, where God greatly used them to help Apollos to a right view of Scripture.  Later on, after the Emperor Claudius had died, Priscila and Aquila were able to return to their native Rome, and the result was that a church formed in their house, - they were at least two of the founders of the Roman church.

Epaenetus, whom Paul says was "much beloved," had apparently moved to Rome from Achaia (southern Greece).  He had been the first convert of Paul's ministry there, and had undoubtedly experienced personally much of Paul's discipling.  Andronicus and Junia, having converted to Christ from Judaism even before Paul himself, shared one of Paul's many imprisonments with him, and so they had likely spent many hours in prayer and fellowship with him.  The rest of those mentioned here, with the possible exception of Rufus and his mother, had probably never met Paul in person, though he had quite likely prayed much for them during his times of fellowship and prayer with those who were close to them.  He must have felt as though he knew them.

What we see here, then, is a minister of Christ who eagerly embraced in love all those who loved his Lord, whether they had been personally known to him or not.  He was a minister who was in fact tenderly concerned for each one in a very personal way - and wanted them to know it.  He wanted to be remembered to them as one who was still praying for them - so that they would know that he was lovingly concerned for their own continuance in prayer, for their understanding of the Scriptures, and for their mutual love and ministry.

The fact that these were his concerns for them - and that he wanted them to know it - just reveals the kind of ministry he had with people.  People to whom he had ministered couldn't help being aware of his personal concern for them. 

His letters to other churches reveal the same loving minister of Christ.  He was personally and constantly concerned for every follower of Christ  - for every one's prayer life and for their growth in Christ.  Regarding prayer, for instance, Paul says in 1 Thess. 5:17, "Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  Regarding knowledge of the Word, he says to the Colossians, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  And, finally, his concern for their mutual love and interaction is well illustrated in what he writes to the  Ephesians.  In 4:15, 16, he says, "But, speaking the truth in love, (you) may grow up in all things into Him Who is the Head - Christ - from Whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what EVERY joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

From all this we catch at least a glimpse of Paul's personality.  In fact, Christians everywhere who had even the remotest contact with him knew what he was like, and when these Romans received a letter from him they couldn't help remembering what they knew - they would be very aware of his loving concern.

Summing up, then, we see an apostle whose love for the people of God was real, intense, and practical, one that issued in loving encouragement to prayer, to study of the Word, and to mutual love - the things that would bring about real growth in Christian character.

There's one important thing we need to consider, though: what does Paul's personality have to do with us?  He himself makes that importance plain is in his exhortation to the Corinthian church.  He says, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."  It should be  plain that Paul's love to each individual, the love reflected here in his desire to be remembered to each and every one - should also be reflected in our own attitude towards our Lord's people. The apostle dearly loved each one who belonged to his Lord, and he sought ever-improving relationship to Jesus Christ for them.  Shouldn't our attitude towards our brothers and sisters in Christ be like that?

As in Paul's case, our lives need to be a living encouragement to others.  How about you?  Is your life like that?  When people think of you, do their thoughts naturally turn to your Lord?

It isn't fanaticism.  In fact it should be very common, very human, and very genuine.  And those around us should be aware of it. It's not something we can "put on" or "take off" for their benefit, but it flows from a life that's being changed by the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It's a kind of life that moves others to imitate us as we imitate Christ. 

Do these things characterize your life?  Do they characterize mine?  Paul's exhortation to Timothy was for our benefit as well when  he said, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  What Paul said to the Thessalonians he also says to us.  To them he said, "And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe."

Oh may our prayer be like that of the prophet Habakkuk when he said, "O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!"

Stonings, beatings, scorning and mocking, any or all of these could make person hard and cynical, trusting no-one.
But Paul was full of gratitude to his God, and nothing could stop his love for his hard won disciples, he poured out his love upon them.
Lord give us this deep love above all gifts.

Not only did Paul love these people, but He loved their Lord, and, since these people belonged to Him, He loved them for His sake as well.