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Daily Devotions

Romans

Romans 
Day 
Day 356

"Timothy, my fellow worker..."

Text: Romans 16:21

MORE GREETINGS

Paul went on to send more greetings from individuals who wished to greet the brethren in Rome.

“Timothy, my fellow-worker, and Lucius, Jason and Sosipater,
my countrymen, greet you.”
Romans 16:21

1. Lucius, Jason and Sosipater

a) These are not well known to us.
b) They were described simply as “my countrymen”.
c) Lucius was mentioned by Luke as from Cyrene (Cf. Acts 13:1).
d) He was described as belonging to a group of “prophets and teachers” .

2. Timothy, my fellow worker

a) Much more is known about Timothy.
b) A profile of Timothy:
i) He began as a promising young disciple, well spoken of by many (Cf. Acts 16:1).
ii) He became a protege of the apostle Paul.
iii) Timothy was given the signal honour of being addressed as a son of Paul (Cf.1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2).
iv) He was honourably described as a “brother and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ” (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:2).
v) He was entrusted with numerous tasks, including that of battling false teachers (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-11).

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FURTHER GREETINGS

The matter of letter-writing is quite unique. Many things can be “added” or “appended” because of such factors as time, circumstances and events. As Paul wrote to the Romans, it might well be that some asked to be remembered to the Roman Church. These names would then be appended in the latter part of the epistle, without any loss of its significance or value!