We would almost expect this profound letter of Romans to conclude with some startling insight. Instead, it contains a list of names. We must not allow ourselves to be disappointed or overlook this last 16th chapter. Instead, we should note that these are real people’s names forever etched in Paul’s writing of Scripture. These people that he mentions possessed and lived out real Christian values as faith in Christ spread and so did its persecution.
It was springtime of 58 A.D. Paul had been living in the home of a man named Gius in the city of Corinth. He dictated this letter to Tertius who functioned like that of his secretary. He was going to send it to the church in Rome by a woman named Phoebe. At this last chapter, it might seem that Paul invited into the room those that were dear to him. This is not just a list of names. It is like that of a roll call of faith in Hebrews 11. These are people that lived out Christian values.
In verses 1-4 are the names of people who valued opportunities to serve the Lord. Some of them were servants. They might be employed by their master to wash the feet of houseguests. They ask us what active real humility would Christ have us do? There is a second group of people in these verses that we could call saints. They were like today’s basketball stars. However, they tell us that even a star player cannot be great without the righteous team supporting him.
In verses 5-15 are the names of those people who valued the souls of others. These dearly beloved friends of the apostle Paul stand asking us what is the result of what we have done; who have we helped to make life’s journey into heaven? These are the people who live so close to Christ it was as if they were like “blood” brothers of our Lord and Savior.
In verses 16-19 no names are mentioned, but they are people who value Christian Fellowship. No matter what person it is that seeks to serve the Lord, we must not interfere with her efforts. Without specific names mentioned we must ask ourselves, “How guilty are we loving only those who can benefit us?”
In verses 20-27 are the names of people who value their own salvation. In today’s modern living it is so easy for all of us to assume upon our salvation. Like in these verses we must become vessels for God’s use in whatever way that use could unfold before us. These are people who have been empowered by God and are added to the list of faithful believers.
Like the advice that Paul gave Timothy, “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2: 15) So this must be true of all of us to study God’s word, live God’s word, and show forth the values of God’s word as these people have done in Romans 16.
Christian Writer 