Ministry is Made Up Of People: Romans 16:6-16
“6) Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7) Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8) Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9) Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10) Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11) Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12) Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13) Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14) Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. 15) Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16) Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” Romans 16:6-16
This is an amazing list of greetings. I am not going to take time to go through the list, but I do want to make a broad observation; “ministry boils down to people and relationships.” Paul had a genuine and kindred relationship with these people.
I have heard it said that “ministry moves at the speed of relationships!” That was certainly true in the life of Jesus. He surrounded himself with people and poured Himself into meaningful and intensional relationships.
This text proves that Paul followed the same example. There are 27 people called by name in this text and many more mentioned. Paul was not wasting time with his writing by greeting these people, he was focusing on the eternal.
Above all else, take time to invest in people. Other things pass away, but people are eternal. Don’t fall into the trap of being isolated in life. It might seem easy with less drama, but it is not fruitful.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
