Romans 16:14-15 - Honoring Faithfulness

Romans 16:14-15 - ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Message: Honoring Faithfulness

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul now greets 2 sets of people. They are grouped together. In verse 14, 5 names are mentioned and then brothers with them are also mentioned. This gives the idea that this is a congregation of people, perhaps a house church. The pattern of names mentioned is identical in verse 15 where 5 specific people are mentioned (1 sister) and then saints with them.

In Isaiah 49:16, God says, "“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me." In this context it is referring to Zion, but it could also be described of all saints of God.

Philologus means fond of words or lover of words. He could love the Word of God or he could be one that talked a lot. He is the first one mentioned, so perhaps he was the leader of the house church.

Saints is the Greek word hagios meaning set apart ones, separated, sacrificed. These are people set apart by God's Spirit. Saints are securely place in Christ forever.

In Romans 1:7, Paul says upon beginning his letter, "to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints." All are saints. There are not different divisions of Christians. There is not a varsity team and then a JV. All have equal billing and have equal blessing before God.


Promise: I am to take part in the church, work hard for the Lord, stand out and be distinct. I am different. I am to look different from those in the world. I am to act differently. I am to respond to troubles in a different manner, praising my God and Savior.