Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

In addition to evil people and foolish people, there are wise people. Wise people operate by the power of the Holy Spirit. A wise person learns to think through consequences and understands the principle of cause and effect. If you want something, then save money for it. If you want to build something, then build it slowly over time. To be healthy tomorrow, pay attention to what you eat and drink today. Start with the little things, and over time it will grow into great wisdom and success in life.

Wisdom is not necessarily education or intelligence; instead, it’s humility and teachability. It doesn’t matter whether you went to college; it does matter whether you are filled with the Holy Spirit and living in obedience to Him. Our culture values intelligence but not wisdom. Wise people are self-motivated to mature. They embrace reality, admit they need help and take responsibility for their own well-being.

Wise people have empathy and an awareness of how their decision-making involves others. Wisdom asks, “How do my decisions affect you?” Wise people are responsible, and they follow up on tasks. If their doctor says to change their diet, it happens. If their accountant says to change their spending, it does. They make adjustments to improve their lives. Wise people admit mistakes, and they repent. You can have a healthy relationship with a wise person and constructive disagreements.

Wise people are shepherds. You can have personal relationships with them. You can bring them into your life and trust them with access and information. In Romans 16: 21–23, Paul names some wise people in his life: Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.

Timothy is the leader of the team Paul is sending to the city of Rome. He is the apostle’s right-hand man. Timothy got saved when Paul came to his town to preach, and sometime later, Paul adopted him as a spiritual son. Paul trusts and depends on Timothy. Timothy appears in five of the New Testament books that Paul pens and the last book the apostle writes before he is put to death is 2 Timothy.

Paul mentions Lucius, likely the same man in Acts 13:1. He’s a preacher and a Bible guy. Lucius is up to the task if the Romans need someone to preach and teach. Then Paul names Jason, who he met in Acts 17. Paul came to Jason’s town, and a riot started. Jason got involved and stopped the riot. He’s the team’s crisis management guy. Jason handles problems. Sosipater joined Paul when the apostle went through the town of Berea (see Acts 20) during an assassination attempt to kill Paul. Sosipater stayed loyal and faithful. The believers, and especially Paul, can depend on him.

Paul mentions Tertius, who is literally writing the book of Romans down as Paul speaks it. He is the “brains” of the team. He is so dependable and faithful that Paul trusts him to write Romans down perfectly. Paul mentions Gaius, the host who provided the provision for the ministry vision. Gaius was likely a wealthy business leader with a large estate. He hosts Paul and “the whole church” (v. 23). He funds the ministry. Paul also mentions Erastus, the city treasurer, a well-known and respected governmental leader. He would be the executive pastor or the CFO in a church today. Everyone respects Erastus. He can manage running the ministry.

Finally, Paul talks about “our brother Quartus” (v. 23). Quartus means “fourth,” and Tertius means “third.” They may be brothers, and they are likely slaves. In the Roman Empire, slaves had numbers, not names. This is significant because it shows all levels of society were in leadership in Paul’s ministry. The apostle praises a respected governmental official, an affluent business leader, and two slaves. Leadership in the church is predicated upon character, not race, income, social status, or education. It’s predicated on wisdom. It doesn’t matter where you begin; with the Spirit of God, you can end as a significant leader in the Kingdom of God.

Today’s Reflection

What wise people are influential in your life?