Greet

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ...Romans 16.5ff

After Paul greeted Priscilla and Aquila Paul said to ‘greet those in the church that meets in their house.’ I am tempted to stop here and just mention that aspect of their ministry, but I will move on.

Paul goes through a list of people that he wanted to greet. I like this. Most of us like to see our names in print, these regular folks were privileged to have the ultimate in having your name in print.

We have Epaenetus, the first person saved in Achaia. We have Mary, a fellow labourer. We read of Adronicus and Junius, from Paul's homeland who had been in jail with him, and a good reputation among the apostles, and had been saved before him. Then there are the beloved Amplias and Persis. we have several called fellow-labourers. We have Rufus, who might have been Paul's brother of half-brother. There are few others named and identified. And then we have several who we only get to read their names.

I am not sure why I like this so much. It is hard to pin down. I guess I just like that people in Rome were just like people in our churches today. We have our Eoin and Mary and Donal and Julia and Hannes and Amanda and Eddie and Ais and Shauna and Caroline and Bridie and Jay and Holly and Danie. These are people just like Epaenatus and Mary and Adrinicus and Jius and Apmlias and Persis. Two thousand years have gone by and the church carries on. Generation aft generation and we are all one in Christ. Every one distinct, every one unique, men and women, and yet all one together. How blessed to share with the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us.