Sisters, Fellow Workers, Mothers of Us All

Passage: Romans 16:1-16

Some might be thinking, what is the point of a passage of Scripture like this, what can it possibly say to us two thousand years after it was written?  Isn’t this just the apostle Paul exercising a little personal privilege by saying hi to 27 friends he sees in the Rome church picture directory.  Is this just some cultural formality having no edification or benefit to us who are so far away from this in time and distance?

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.  This is the benefit of having the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit.  All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for our instruction, our edification, correction, teaching and training in righteousness.

When we come to a passage of Scripture that seems so far removed from our life with no possible benefit, the problem is not with God’s Word but with us.  If this was merely human, then we could dismiss this passage.

God is up to something here that is intended for all the church in all the ages and for all Christians in all ages, even us.  Or should I say especially us.

Paul ends many of his letters with lists of names of people to be greeted, but this is by far the longest list.  Let me draw your attention to four truths or lessons here for us.