SUBJ: The commendations and greetings of Paul and the gospel effect witnessed in Paul and in those he commended to the Romans church.

AIM: That we might seek the same effects of grace in us as we would seek to honor the Lord in our interactions with and care for others.

INTR: The parting prayer of Paul (15:33) was “Now the God of Peace be with you all. Amen.” He then proceeds to commend many with whom this peace would be shared.
1. People reading scriptures fear having to pronounce the many proper names encountered and yet these are brothers and sisters in Christ from a bygone time. (We want our own names pronounced correctly and should be challenged to get theirs right).
2. The tendency is to focus better known names to the neglect of those mentioned briefly – what we see here tells us much of the great significance in God’s sight.
3. We do well not to despise either the day or the significance of what may seem to us as “small things.”

THESIS: There is nothing insignificant in God’s plan; the whole of His plan stands or falls on the smallest of details and these people are integral to the outworking of the will of God.

I. Phebe (vv. 1-2)
1. While this is the only mention of her in scripture, it is not without significance in that it is thought that she actually carried the letter to Rome – could we say that if it were not for her, we would not have this glorious epistle? She was essential to God’s plan.
2. We are not told of any other reason for her journey, but Paul wanted to be sure her needs were met, and her business assisted in any way.
3. Our attention is especially drawn to her character and her dedication to service. She is called a servant of the church at Cenchrea (seaport near Corinth) and was possibly a deaconess.
4. Serving the church and
1) A succorer of many – one given to the protection, care, and aid of others, giving of her own resources in doing so.
2) Paul had witnessed the grace of God in her as she had rendered care to him as well.

II. Priscilla and Aquila (vv. 3-5)
1. This married couple had been driven from Rome (see Acts 18) and were found at Corinth.
1) A special relationship developed as Paul dwelled with them
2) They were tentmakers together and had been fellow travelers.
2. They were the instructors of Apollos in Ephesus – he was an orator but they “expounded the word more perfectly.”
3. They had endangered themselves for his sake – no doubt in their travels and ministry together.
1) Needless to say, Paul gave thanks for them and
2) So did the many of the Gentile churches.
3) They were commended to the greetings of other in other places. (1 Cor. 16:19 and 2 Tim. 4:19
4. The church that is in their house – especially the well-beloved Epaenetus.

III. Mary and the others (vv. 6-15)
1. It is interesting to note that all these people were in Rome and were known to Paul which reflects how seriously he attended to his apostolic charge. About 29 are mentioned!
2. It would be well to comment on each of these along with the observations of Paul with Mary leading the way. We will rather note the commonalities.
1) We would note the important role of women in the work of Paul – while they were not permitted to preach, they were mighty in both word and deed in practice and were acknowledged as such – Of those mentioned here, two of the first three are women.
2) There are no second-class Christians: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28.
3. There is the acknowledgment of much labor, of being fellow-prisoners in Christ and noted by the other Apostles, some are just called beloved which suggests a mutual identity in Christ and so laborers together in the Gospel.

IV. One another (v. 16)
1. There is much speculation concerning the “holy kiss.”
1) Different cultures greet in different ways and kissing is certainly one of them
2) Regardless of the manner of greeting (the handshake in our area) it is the matter of the affection in Christ that makes the difference.
2. Our relationship as a body of Christ and our identity together is no accident – we are together for a reason and the purpose of God must be understood or we are no different from any other organization.
3. We are reminded of the Ephesians being told of the fact that “…Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it; “ 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26-27.
4. As the redeemed of the Lord everything about us is significant and so “Salute one another as being together to reflect the presence of Christ in us!