Romans 16:1

Romans 16:1 says, I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:  In these next few verses, Paul begins to single out people who had been a help and a blessing to him and ask his fellow believers to accept and uplift them.  There are most likely people in our lives who have helped us spiritually, and even materially as we follow God's call.  We need to always be thankful for them and concerned for their welfare as well.  In verse one, Paul said he commended to them their sister Phebe.  Paul recognized that even if we don't know each other, we as followers of Christ are all brothers and sisters through our salvation by Him.  We should be able to commend each other to fellow believers.  Paul said Phebe was a servant of the church at Cenchrea.  We don't really know much about this church, but Cenchrea was about twelve miles from Corinth, where there was great opposition to the gospel.  Verse two adds, That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.  Paul asked the believers in Rome to receive her in the Lord and help her any way they could.  She had helped many, including Paul, and now as a woman alone in a new city, she was going to need help.  Paul looked to fellow believers to provide this help.  Verse three continues, Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:  Verse four concludes, Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.  In Corinth, Priscilla and Aquila had helped Paul during his time there.  They were fellow tent makers and stood with Paul in spite of a threat to their own lives. We today need to help help our fellow Christians, even if it costs us. Aquila and Priscilla had been in Corinth because they were exiled from Rome but had evidently now been allowed to return.  Still, even when their lives had been uprooted, they were still serving God.  Not only did they help Paul, but they made their home available for worship services.  Verse five states, Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.  They had evidently continued this practice in Rome.  Paul asked that they salute Epaenetus, one of the first converts to Christ in Achaia.  Paul would remember him especially, since he was proof of the effectiveness of the gospel of Christ to save the lost.  In the next several verse, Paul asked that certain individuals be remembered by the church. Verses six adds, Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Verse seven continues, Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Verse eight says, Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Verse nine adds, Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.  Verse ten continues, Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Verse eleven states, Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.  Verse twelve adds, Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.  Verse thirteen continues, Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.   Verse fourteen says, Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.  Verse fifteen adds, Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.  Verse sixteen continues, Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.   We may not know a lot about most of those named here, but they were all important to Paul in his spreading of the gospel.  Both men and women were named.  There are many followers of Christ today who are at work spreading the gospel who may never be known to most people, even to fellow believers.  We must be thankful for their service to God, and like Paul acknowledge them when we have the opportunity.  Paul knew that others were working to help him spread the gospel, and we must remember that as well.  Paul reminds us to also salute one another through our love of Christ.