Romans 16:1-16: a reflection

1I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, 2that you receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self. 3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. 5Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. 6Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me. 8Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he sends greetings to a long list of people, more than two dozen names. He commends Phoebe, a servant of the church; greets Prisca and Aquila, who risked their necks for him; Mary, who worked hard; Andronicus and Junia, his fellow prisoners; Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis, who labored in the Lord; and many more, most of whom appear nowhere else and are otherwise unknown to us. Each is named, and most are remembered for their love and their labor.

Notice what this long list of names tells us. God's work in the world was not carried by Paul alone, nor by a few prominent figures, but by many ordinary people, most of them unknown to history, each of whom labored and loved and served. Paul knew them by name, valued them, remembered their particular kindnesses and work. The church was, and is, a community of ordinary people, each one mattering, each one contributing, held together by shared labor and love in Christ.

That is worth remembering about your own place in God's work. You may feel unknown, one of many, your labor unnoticed; but the church has always been built by such people, and God knows and values each one by name, as Paul did these. Take your place among the many who labor in the Lord, and do not despise your contribution because it seems ordinary or unseen. And value your fellow workers as Paul did, remembering their labor, greeting them warmly, honoring the ordinary people through whom God does his work. The kingdom is carried by many named and loved laborers; be one of them, and cherish the rest.

Lord, as Paul closed his letter, he greeted by name a long list of ordinary people, most unknown to us, each remembered for their love and labor in you. Thank you that your work is carried not by a few prominent figures but by many ordinary people, each one known and valued by you. When I feel unknown, one of many, my labor unnoticed, remind me that the church has always been built by such people, and that you know and value me by name. Help me take my place among the many who labor for you, and not despise my contribution because it seems ordinary or unseen. And help me value my fellow workers, remembering their labor, honoring the ordinary people through whom you do your work. Let me be one of your faithful laborers, and cherish the others, in the community you have joined together in Christ.