Mon.’s Devo- The List

Read Ro. 16:1-6 In this chapter Paul is going through a list of names that he recommends or wants to mention. Since all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for reproof, doctrine, discipline, instruction, etc. we are going to look at all these people. The first one he talks about Phebe from Corinth. Phebe means radiant so that gives us a good description of her ministry. She was from the church in Corinth and is coming to Rome. Paul wants to make sure she is taken care of and treated with the utmost respect because she has been a servant to many, even Paul. Next he lists people in their church in Rome that he wants to send a personal greeting to. He starts with Priscilla and Aquilla who labored with Paul, actually laying down their lives for him. Priscilla means a little old lady! Funny! Aquilla is a little more spiritual. It means immovable. So we can tell by Priscilla’s name that they were an older couple, and we can tell by Aquilla’s name just what kind of older couple they were - strong in the Lord - willing to lay down their lives for Paul. They didn’t let their age make them weak. They also had a church that met in their house. Next, Paul mentions Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Greece. His name means praiseworthy which was why Paul wanted to mention him - he lived a life worthy of being praised. Mary is mentioned because of all the hard work she has done for the church. Seeing this list and the short little descriptions Paul gives of them it makes me wonder what someone would say of me. If your pastor had to write a one-liner describing you - what would he say? It’s a little sobering. Then I wonder what short statement would God use to describe my life. I would hope he was find me unmovable, radiant, a life worthy of being praised; not just that I was a little old lady! Lord, I know that you commend all of us because you love us. It is not about our accolades that is important , but it is about your accolades and computers cannot contain all the things we could say about you. Let us meditate on that today. You are great and worthy to be praised!