I look forward to Tuesday mornings. With coffee in hand, I enjoy connecting on Zoom with my friend from seminary. Now pastoring in Wisconsin, Dennis and I connect weekly for encouragement and prayer.
Just over two years ago, Dennis invited me to speak on a panel at his church on Christian friendship. What struck me as we talked was the number of times I have hurried through verses filled with names. Paul, however, said that all Scripture is profitable. Every verse contains something for our training, instruction, correction, and training in righteousness because it has come from the very mouth of God(2 Tim 3:16).
As I was reading Romans 16:1-16, I began to wonder what is so magnificent about this list of names. The glory isn’t explicit in propositions, but implicit through greetings. Romans 16 contains 27 names who belong to the church in Rome. Paul’s heart bleeds here, and four things stand out in this list which are reflective of his ministry:
Christ-soaked friendships: Over and over, Paul sends greetings by name to people “in the Lord.” For Paul, he can’t help but think about people as gifts of Christ. No spiritual blessing – not even friendship – is given without Christ’s mediating work. Since friendships are blessings “in the Lord,” Christ is present in every friendship. Friendship in Christ creates an appreciation of people because the blessing of Christ is present in some way in every friendship.
Strong bonds: Since they are in Christ, Paul greets these people as family members – sister, brother, saint, kinsman, a mother to me, etc…. He names individual people because they are precious to him, just like a healthy family sends greetings when they are apart. He wants to keep those relationships strong. And the more names that come up, the more we see how Paul was enriched by the different people who brought blessings into his life.
Commonality remembered: These aren’t just people in another church. Paul writes to his partners in ministry (vv. 6, 9, 12), comrades who have experienced suffering like he has (v. 7), servants to him and one another (vv. 2, 4).
Precious and loved: There is real affection here. These people are loved (vv. 5, 6, 9, 12), people who have risked their necks (v. 4) and sacrificed for Paul (v. 6). So Paul’s love shows and wants to encourage them to have affection for one another as a family ought to have (“Greet one another with a holy kiss” – v. 16).
In a world filled with lonely people, the church is a great gift from God. With all of our challenges and difficulties, we are a family in Christ. So this week, why not make a point of connecting with someone. Use Sunday morning to your advantage. Thank someone for their friendship. Rejoice in their brotherly love. Celebrate the common connections in Christ. Strengthen the bonds. Send a text, give a quick call, drop a note. Be intentional. You might find that the gift of friendship in Christ strengthens your soul in a way you didn’t quite expect.
See you Sunday!
~Pastor Andrew
