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Romans 16 – The Unknown Brethren
Romans 16 – The Unknown Brethren
Greet 'xxxx'. Paul usually didn’t include such personal greetings to people, yet here he concludes by sending greetings to 24 people by name, 2 people that are not named, and several groups of people.
We know of Prisca and Aquila as we read about them in Acts 18, 1 Cor. 16:19; and 2 Tim. 4:19. Rufus is possibly the one mentioned in Mark 15:21 but that is only a guess. The other 23 people we know only what we read here. Even what is mentioned here is pretty vague and without specific events and actions.
WHY mention them? This was a personal letter as well as a situational letter that dealt with the scope of what the religion of Christ is all about. It isn’t about fame, fortune, and position! As Paul said to the Corinthians: "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Cor. 1:26).
Most of us will never be well known outside of our brethren and even that will quickly fade after we die. Our labor in the Lord however is completely known unto Him and He never will forget us. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1Cor. 15:58). We labor to be pleasing unto Him and not for fame or fortune. We seek to be approved by Him and not to be known by men. We gladly let our light shine that men might see such good works and glorify our Father (Matt. 5:16). We are to desire to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:11).
Yet, it was through the combined lives of these countless unknowns of the first century that the Roman empire was turned upside down. When God’s people ARE God’s people they have a great impact upon the world in which they live. The end result is God is glorified and people come to know the Lord. Thank God for so many such people. Let us take consolation in being like them.
Hugh DeLong
PS. The Lord know those who are HIS! (2Tim. 2:19) – even if no one else does!
