I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.
4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
- P64
13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. - P65
Paul commends Phoebe and asks the believers to receive her well. He sendsgreetings to many individuals and households who have worked hard in theLord. He notes their service, labor, and faith. He greets them with love, asksthem to greet one another with a holy kiss, and forwards greetings from theother churches. - P65
In his final greetings, Paul begins by commending Phoebe, a remarkable woman who served as a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. - P66
One of the ways she has blessed the church is by being a benefactor, providing financial support to many, including Paul himself. Because Paul asks that the Romans receive her in a way worthy of God’s people and to give her any help she needs, - P66
Phoebe is believed to have delivered this very letter to the believers in Rome. With this commendation, we are reminded of the diverse ways God equips His people for kingdom work. We can use our different resources—time, skills, finances, and spiritual gifts—to be like Phoebe, faithfully stewarding what we have been given to serve the Lord and His people. - P66
Paul‘s personal greetings to more than twenty individuals in this sectionof Romans show us the importance of relationships. - P66
Though he had notyet visited Rome, he had formed deep friendships with believers who hadserved with him in different places. This diverse list includes men andwomen, Jews and Gentiles, and poor and wealthy, reminding us that thegospel breaks down all barriers. - P66
We also see that kingdom work flourishesin relationships built on trust, service, and love. Paul makes sure to not onlygreet each person by name but also appreciate their contributions in servingthe Lord. His example challenges us to value and nurture the people Godplaces in our lives as we pray, serve, encourage, and support one another. - P66
Lord, thank you for the gift of gospel partners. Help me to appreciate, encourage, and support those You have brought into my life. . - P66
Teach me to value the beauty of the diverse body of Christ and to honor others as fellow laborers in Your mission. In Jesus’ name, amen - P66
God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edifica-tion. - Romans 14:19 - P67
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