ANDY ANDERSON

Romans 16 gives a description of life among the first Christians. The chapter is more than a list of names; it is a record of ordinary believers who served God faithfully in their time. Through these greetings, we learn how the early church grew, how men and women worked together for Christ, and how Paul valued those who stood beside him in the gospel.

Paul begins by commending Phoebe, a woman from the church in Cenchrea. She is described as a servant and helper of many, including Paul himself. Her role shows that women had an important part in supporting the ministry. Some believe she carried the letter to the Romans, which would have been a great responsibility. While Paul taught that church leadership should be held by men, he also recognized how much women contributed through service, care, and generosity.

The next names Paul mentions are Priscilla and Aquila, a married couple who risked their lives for him. They worked with Paul as tentmakers and hosted a church in their home. When they met a preacher named Apollos, they quietly taught him more about Christ. In this we see that teaching and encouragement can happen privately and faithfully, without public recognition. House churches like theirs were common because most believers did not have special buildings to meet in. The early church grew through homes, families, and personal connections.

Paul then greets many others. He speaks of Epaenetus, his first convert in Asia, and Mary, who worked hard to help others. He mentions Andronicus and Junia, fellow prisoners for Christ, and others like Ampliatus, Urbanus, and Stachys, who laboured with him. Many of these names were common among slaves. In this we see that the church welcomed people from every part of society. In a city like Rome, with hundreds of thousands of people, there were likely many small gatherings meeting in houses throughout the city.

Later in the chapter, Paul’s companions also send their greetings. Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and others are mentioned. We even hear from Tertius, the man who wrote down Paul’s words as he dictated the letter. Paul believed that all Scripture came from God’s inspiration. The Holy Spirit guided each writer so that the message was true and complete. This is why the Bible remains the final authority for Christian faith.

The chapter ends with a few more names, Gaius, who hosted Paul’s church in his home, Erastus, who served as a city treasurer, and Quartus, described simply as a brother. The church was built by many unseen hands. These early believers, men and women, free and slave, rich and poor, all shared a common faith in Jesus Christ. Their names live on because they served with love and faithfulness. Though most Christians will never be famous, their service to God still matters. What counts most is that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

What is your role in the church? Consider, the strength of the church does not come from power or status but from humble people who love God and one another. Every act of service, every prayer, every quiet work done for Christ continues the story of faithful believers that began in those early days.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23