Our Fellow Workers in Christ
Scripture Texts: Romans 16:1-16
Introduction.
Let me take this opportunity to remind you of what Paul wrote elsewhere:
II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Did you notice that little first word? All Scripture, even Romans 16, is God-breathed, Holy Spirit inspired and profitable for our instruction, our edification, correction, teaching and training in righteousness.
When we come to a passage of Scripture that seems so removed from our life with no possible benefit, the problem is not with God’s Word but with us. This is not just an afterward, or an appendix, like the acknowledgements some authors put in their books.
This is not just Paul’s Christmas card list, or him flipping through the pages of the Church of Rome pictorial church directory. What can we glean from this unique chapter in the NT? Paul ends a few of his letters mentioning a couple of names, but nothing close to this.
The names of people matter to God. He is a personal God, He knows us intimately. He remembers our names. Every name is a real person, this is not fiction, every name is a story, a part of God’s plan and purpose. Those who confess faith in Jesus, their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.