Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

Paul mentions Epaenetus, “the first convert to Christ in Asia” (v. 5). There is a principle in the Bible called firstfruits, and it is the idea that when something is first, there is more to come. For example, when you pick the first apple from a tree, there’s a harvest coming, and that first apple is the firstfruit. Epaenetus was the first person to become a Christian in this entire region of Asia, and in his wake, there will be many other Christians.

Paul continues, “Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you” (v. 6). Oftentimes, people have mixed motives. They are willing to serve but want to know what is in it for them. There are strings attached. Mary is pure-hearted; she’s steadfast, loyal, hardworking, and godly. She’s in it for the best interest of others.

There are two kinds of people: burden givers and burden lifters. Burden givers make you do things; they increase your load. Burden lifters, on the other hand, decrease your load. They ask, “How can I help? Where can I serve? What can I take off your shoulders?” Mary is a burden lifter. She works hard for other believers.

Paul then talks about “Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me” (v. 7). One of the big debates among Bible scholars is if Andronicus and Junia are men or women. If they are two men, then they might be friends or brothers. If one is a man and the other is a woman, then they might be husband and wife, which is my assumption.

“Kinsmen” means they are Jewish, as is Paul, and “fellow prisoners” means exactly what it sounds like—they were willing to go to prison with Paul. That’s an incredible commitment. You must figure out what you will endure and suffer for your Christian faith. Some people cannot handle negative comments, but others are willing to endure anything—even imprisonment—for the sake of Jesus.

The price of Christianity has gotten higher. This culture is not trending in our direction. Going to jail for loving Jesus is not something that just happened in the past; it’s also happening in the present and will happen in the future. We need to make sure we know to whom our loyalty is and be willing to pay whatever price to remain loyal to Him. Andronicus and Junia demonstrate this by going to prison with Paul.

In addition, Paul says, “They were in Christ before me” (v. 7), which means they have been Christians longer than he has. Sometimes you meet people who have been walking with Jesus longer than you have, and as a result, you can learn from them and follow them.

Andronicus and Junia “are well known to the apostles” (v. 7). Some translations say they actually are apostles. No, they were not part of the original 12 apostles chosen by Jesus to be eyewitnesses to the Resurrection. They are people with apostolic gifts for church planting, missions, evangelism, spiritual parenting, and pastoring. Paul says they are gifted, and he is sending them ahead because they know how to get things done. They will help prepare for his journey into Spain.

Today’s Reflection

Are you a burden giver or a burden lifter?