21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Commentary
Vs. 21 The Apostle Paul's co-workers in the Gospel now send along their own greetings. And so the Apostle Paul begins by introducing a beloved brother in the Lord, a man named Timothy, whom Paul took under his wing and discipled early on, who faithfully followed Paul throughout his missionary journeys, and or took on the role of church oversight in assemblies that the Apostle Paul founded or helped to establish in the Gospel (see Acts 18:5; 19:22; 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Col 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1, 3:1-2, 6; 2 Thess 1:1; Philemon 1:1; Heb 13:23). And so like a proud father with his son; Paul also calls Timothy his "son" (see 1 Tim 1:2, 18; 2 Tim 1:2); the Apostle now proudly introduces the Roman believers to Timothy, whom he refers to here as "my fellow worker". Now along with Timothy, Paul mentions Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, fellow believers and co-workers who were of Jewish descent like Paul. Now the Lucius mentioned here may or not be the same Lucius who was an early church leader in Antioch, who along with others there laid hands on Paul and Barnabas when they went out on their first missionary journey (see Acts 13:1-3). Jason is the next brethren mentioned, and if the Jason from Thessalonica who lodged Paul and Silas during Paul's missionary work there (see Acts 17:5-9), Jason too would have been a long time supporter of the Apostle Paul in his endeavours for the Lord as well. Next up is Sosipater, a man of jewish descent, Sosipater maybe the same man named Sopater who along with others accompanied the Apostle Paul while on his final missionary journey, when Paul was heading to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:1-5). It was around this time that the Apostle Paul dictated his epistle to the Romans (see Romans 15:25-29).
Vs. 22 "I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord."
Tertius now sends along his own personal greetings, Tertius was a brother in the Lord, and likely a scribe or "secretary" by trade, whom the Apostle Paul dictated this epistle too. Tertius, of latin origin, means "the third." Thus Tertius was a third born child or son. It's hard to imagine what would've happened if Tertius had not faithfully recorded for us the Apostle Paul's epistle. And so like countless other "ordinary" saints who have put their skills and talents to the Lord's service, his work and laborer in the Lord was not only a blessing to believers then, but continues to live on doing so now.
Vs. 23 "Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother."
Gaius was an early believer in Corinth whom the Apostle Paul baptized (1 Cor 1:14). Gaius himself was a very hospitable man, serving not only as a host for the Apostle Paul, but also Gaius hosted "the whole church." Which likely means his home served as a meeting place for believers as needed. Thus the believers there with Gais also send along their greetings.
Following Gaius, Erastus is now mentioned, and is introduced as the "treasurer of the city" in Corinth. Erastus then was a prominent man in Corinthian society, indicating along with several others in the N.T. the social and economic diversity of the early church. There is an inscription in the pavement of the amphitheater at ancient Corinth which bears the name “Erastus” (Nelsons). While Quartus ( "the fourth") is simply referred to as a brother. Thus one need not be "socially prominent" to be held in loving regard by the Apostle Paul.
Vs. 24 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
The Apostle Paul having introduced to us his closest compatriots, and as many brethren as he could, sending along their greetings as well, now prays that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us all (vs. 24). For grace is not only needed personally by us all, it is needed corporately, as we all learn to live like disciples of Christ. For grace is not just a saving moment in our lives, it is to define our lives.
Vs. 25-27 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The Apostle Paul's concluding statement to us is a benediction, that starts with God and ends with God. For truly salvation comes from God alone. And so it is God alone who is fully able to establish us in the Gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ through His appointed apostle, Paul the man he choose before the foundation of world to do so, and whom He commissioned to do so when He revealed His Son to him on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-30; 21:39-22:1-21; 26:1-32). And having given the Apostle Paul the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to preach, Paul did just that. Spending his new life in Christ fully uncovering and making known "the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began" to one and all. A mystery which is hidden no more, God having unveiled the hearts and minds of us all who believe. It is His Word through His prophetic Scriptures (given through His Son, His apostles and prophets) that clearly explains not only the way to life everlasting, through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, but God's purpose for us all, to bring us all in One Body in Christ where the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of us all. Where His Word and His truth governs us all. Thus ending all alienation through God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the commandment of the everlasting God is believe on His Son, that is look to Christ crucified for salvation from sin and death and receive God's truth through Him for obedience to the faith. For it is God alone who is wise and understanding, who has glory through Jesus Christ forever, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Additional Resources Consulted
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Smith, Stelman, and Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998.
Vs. 22 "I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord."
Tertius now sends along his own personal greetings, Tertius was a brother in the Lord, and likely a scribe or "secretary" by trade, whom the Apostle Paul dictated this epistle too. Tertius, of latin origin, means "the third." Thus Tertius was a third born child or son. It's hard to imagine what would've happened if Tertius had not faithfully recorded for us the Apostle Paul's epistle. And so like countless other "ordinary" saints who have put their skills and talents to the Lord's service, his work and laborer in the Lord was not only a blessing to believers then, but continues to live on doing so now.
Vs. 23 "Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother."
Gaius was an early believer in Corinth whom the Apostle Paul baptized (1 Cor 1:14). Gaius himself was a very hospitable man, serving not only as a host for the Apostle Paul, but also Gaius hosted "the whole church." Which likely means his home served as a meeting place for believers as needed. Thus the believers there with Gais also send along their greetings.
Following Gaius, Erastus is now mentioned, and is introduced as the "treasurer of the city" in Corinth. Erastus then was a prominent man in Corinthian society, indicating along with several others in the N.T. the social and economic diversity of the early church. There is an inscription in the pavement of the amphitheater at ancient Corinth which bears the name “Erastus” (Nelsons). While Quartus ( "the fourth") is simply referred to as a brother. Thus one need not be "socially prominent" to be held in loving regard by the Apostle Paul.
Vs. 24 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
The Apostle Paul having introduced to us his closest compatriots, and as many brethren as he could, sending along their greetings as well, now prays that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us all (vs. 24). For grace is not only needed personally by us all, it is needed corporately, as we all learn to live like disciples of Christ. For grace is not just a saving moment in our lives, it is to define our lives.
Vs. 25-27 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The Apostle Paul's concluding statement to us is a benediction, that starts with God and ends with God. For truly salvation comes from God alone. And so it is God alone who is fully able to establish us in the Gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ through His appointed apostle, Paul the man he choose before the foundation of world to do so, and whom He commissioned to do so when He revealed His Son to him on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-30; 21:39-22:1-21; 26:1-32). And having given the Apostle Paul the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to preach, Paul did just that. Spending his new life in Christ fully uncovering and making known "the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began" to one and all. A mystery which is hidden no more, God having unveiled the hearts and minds of us all who believe. It is His Word through His prophetic Scriptures (given through His Son, His apostles and prophets) that clearly explains not only the way to life everlasting, through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, but God's purpose for us all, to bring us all in One Body in Christ where the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of us all. Where His Word and His truth governs us all. Thus ending all alienation through God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the commandment of the everlasting God is believe on His Son, that is look to Christ crucified for salvation from sin and death and receive God's truth through Him for obedience to the faith. For it is God alone who is wise and understanding, who has glory through Jesus Christ forever, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Additional Resources Consulted
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Smith, Stelman, and Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998.
No comments:
Post a Comment