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Day 16 Romans 16 Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becomes saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.) Letter writing is almost a bygone element of society with the advancement of technology and e-mail and social media. However, proper letter writing includes who it is addressed to, a greeting, the body of the letter–the purpose, and a salutation. It was considered bad taste not to enquire after a person’s health and well-being before you got into the main purpose of the letter and then wishing them well before you concluded the letter. Today, you rarely see a proper letter. People get into the heart of the reason without addressing the person in particular because you contact that person directly and no one else. Paul started out this letter with a greeting. He stated who he was and his qualifications for writing the letter and who he was writing it to. Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) Paul now ends his letter with the salutation, a greeting to the various people who served Jesus Christ in any capacity. He also gave one last admonition to keep themselves from people who cause division in the church. Last, you see who wrote the letter for Paul before Paul’s final salute to the brethren. You also see where the letter originated from, who sent it, and where it went–to Rome from Corinth. This last shows that Paul was not yet in prison, but still on his missionary journeys. Paul’s letter, as you’ve seen over the past several days, is not a condemnation about what they did wrong, but rather a letter of encouragement to give them strength for the journey as Christians. As Christians, you too are to encourage other believers. Let them know they are doing well in their service to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. If an admonishment is needed, it is to be done in love, not condemnation. You are to build up the saints, not tear them down. Saints are other believers. If you are a believer, you are a saint. Paul didn’t write to dead people, but living, and addressed them as saints in Jesus Christ. Have you encouraged anyone lately? It’s time to get back to the fundamentals of encouragement, building people up instead of tearing each other down. Let’s pray: Father, help me encourage others as You showed through Your servant Paul how to edify and lift a person up. Help me be Your light to this generation, giving hope, not discouragement. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 13 March 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay