Afterwords -- workers
"Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well." (Romans 16:3)
June 2, 2024
Dear friends,
We arrived home last night after four days of road travel in Virginia. During that time, we attended a funeral (in Culpeper) and officiated a wedding (in Lynchburg). We enjoyed seeing again many family members and friends. This morning, however, I am aware that my body does not travel as well as it used to!
In reading the sixteenth chapter of Romans recently I noticed how the Apostle Paul -- the consummate traveler -- described his relationship to those whom he knew in Rome. It was the work of God in advancing the gospel that he was interested in, and he sent greetings to individuals by name, those who were fellow believers in that great city.
What struck me was the absence of titles or offices. The most common word was "worker" or "fellow worker" (v. 3, 6, 9, 12, 21). Phoebe (v. 1) may have officially been a deaconess, but the word can describe generally anyone who serves. The words Paul uses to describe these friends are warm and supportive: beloved, kinsman, fellow prisoners, approved, chosen, brothers, and saints. He notes their work and that they are fellows, sharing together in the Lord's great work.
Much of my early Christian experience was shaped by the movement commonly known as Plymouth Brethren. As a rule, they didn't use titles like pastor, minister, reverend, or bishop. They used words like "brother", "sister", "elder", and "commended worker". This was a continued reminder of a less hierarchical structure of fellowship than many established churches had. Those phrases could also become rote with overuse, but they still emphasize to us that we are fellows together, side by side, sharing in the Lord's work.
Further, the words "work" and "worker" remind us that the Christian life is one of active service. Christians are not place-holders, nor are they to be identified primarily by a title or office they may hold. We are to be actively serving God, working hard in whatever sphere the Lord places us. We are more than our work -- we are beloved, fellows, chosen, approved, kinsmen, and members of God's family -- but we are also called to actually labor, and to be busy advancing the gospel in this world.
FINAL QUOTES.
"What were candles made for, but to burn?" (Matthew Henry)
"Too many are willing to sit at God's table, but not work in his field." (Vance Havner)
That's it for this week!
Sandy
Photo above by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.