DAY #244: Romans 15:22-16:16

Paul needed the intercessory prayers of other believers; he needed them to join him in promoting the cause of Christ. The Greek term for "join me in my struggle" was often used in connection with athletic events where a team had to put forth a great, concerted action. Though the Roman believers could not be physically with Paul, they could join his efforts by praying for him.

Paul’s specific prayer requests pertain to his return to Jerusalem. Paul knew of the potential danger awaiting him there, so he asked them to pray for his safety. Paul was still regarded as a traitor to his faith, and some of his fellow Jews might have considered it their religious duty to get rid of him for good.

Phoebe was known as a servant or deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Apparently she was a wealthy person who helped support Paul’s ministry. Phoebe was highly regarded in the church. Paul asked that the believers receive Phoebe as one who is worthy of high honor and to help her in any way they could.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who had become Paul’s close friends. They, along with all other Jews, had been expelled from Rome in a.d. 49 by Emperor Claudius and had moved to Corinth. There they met Paul while he was on his second missionary journey, and they invited him to live and work with them. At some point, they moved back to Rome when they were allowed to return (the Emperor Claudius died five years after issuing the edict expelling Jews from Rome, so it is possible that many returned then).

Later, they went back to Ephesus. Paul was indebted to these dear friends, even explaining to the others that they risked their lives for him. What they did is no longer known, but Paul had faced plenty of danger and had heard many threats against himself. This was certainly true in Ephesus. Somehow Priscilla and Aquila intervened at one time to save Paul. He was grateful that they saved his life.

The rest of this passage deals with many of those who helped Paul in the ministry.
Taken together, the list of these helpers represents a cross-section of Roman culture, from slaves to those of high social status. The church to whom Paul was writing had all the potential for unity in Christ in spite of every possible barrier. This list serves as an example of the theme of Paul’s letter: God’s plan for redemption of mankind includes the entire world. Also, the need for God's people to rise up, regardless of ones position in life, and partner in the work of the Gospel is of critical importance.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

Every so often, there is a passage from the Bible that I read and it just sits there. Nothing jumps out at me. Nothing seems to grab my heart. When that happens, I have discovered that the problem is not with God's Word, the problem is with me.

When I read today passage there was nothing there. So, I stopped - I prayed and I asked God to let me see what truth I need for today. I got beneath the wordiness of the passage and the seemingly endless list of names to see the service that was rendered. I saw the teamwork that was going on and I saw the partnership that so many had with Paul in the ministry.

Here then is the take-away for me. We have to get people out of the stands, off the sidelines and into the game. We have to move people from being bystanders to actual hands on involvement in the ministry. So today, I ask you point blank; where are you serving? How are you using your gifts to further the work of the Kingdom? Who are you partnering with to advance the Gospel?

Read the verses below - what are they saying to you?

"It was He (God) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)