Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Paul’s Ministry Focus

When I agreed to write a devotional for Part 6 of our Romans study I was a little apprehensive. Was I going to be assigned one of those tough topics or hard verses? Imagine my surprise when I got a list of names! So, what can we learn from Paul’s mention of these people? These are not the ones he was writing to, the 26 he named specifically in the book of Romans, along with some entire households. These are the 8 who were with Paul, also wanting to send their greetings.

It’s hard to imagine how personal connections worked in a time of no social media, and not having computers or phones for email, texting, or calling. Everything traveled on foot, or possibly a little faster (but probably more dangerously) by boat. But somehow, these people had connected, in spite of these difficulties; even though Paul hadn’t yet been able to travel to Rome himself, he and his eight friends greeted more people in this letter than in any other letter of his!

This fact brought to mind something I’ve been made very aware of in our women’s Bible study this fall. My picture of Paul before doing this study in the book (letter) of Philippians has mainly centered around the story in Acts 9, when Paul had a dramatic and life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. I also think of his life story spelled out in 2 Corinthians 11:21b-12:13. I have always thought of him as a great teacher, writer, and leader of the early church.

But, in Philippians, I have seen so much of Paul’s great love and concern for the new believers! Take a quick look:

Phil. 1:3 – “I thank God in all my remembrance of you”

1:4 – “always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all.”

1:7 – “For it is only right for me to feel this way about you, because I have

You in my heart.”

1:8 – “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of

Christ Jesus.”

1:9 – Paul prayed for their love to grow in all the best ways.

1:12 – He calls them brethren/family.

1:21-30 – He weighs the benefits of going home to heaven to be with the Lord

against staying with them, and decides that staying is what he really

wants. Though harder for him, it would benefit them.

2:1-4 – All about love!

3:1 – Paul’s work is “no trouble” to him, for it benefits them.

3:18 – Paul’s great sorrow for those who have walked away.

4:1 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown,

in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.”

I am sure if I looked for these heartfelt references in others of Paul’s letters I would find the same things. I Thessalonians 2:8 puts it all together so well:

“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you

not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become

very dear to us.”

Paul’s focus on the people he served well is an encouragement to keep my own focus where it needs to be. It is great to learn all we can because the Lord can bring all that Bible knowledge to mind as we need it, as he did for Paul, but all this learning must be in the context of loving God and loving others. (Isn’t that what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments?)

I Corinthians 13:1-2 reminds me of the saying “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” (I am just preaching to myself, so if you just said, “Ouch” you’re not alone 😊) Thanks, Paul for your great example.

-Wendy York