The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 460

kind the.t II true rel11tionship might exist 11mongst thoua widely sundered by time and spe.ce, and widely eevered by education antl socilll position, The followers of Jesus lenrned to regard one another 88 brothers and sisters in the e;reat spiritual family of which God is the Father, 11nd Christ the elder Brother and Saviour. Coming from afe.r eren in the '\"'tlSt and populous city of Rome, this godly matron would find brethren i; Christ, would be recognized as a sister, 2. "A seroant of the Church at CenchreB." Literlllly, a deacon, or deaconess. This shows us how, from the beginning of Chris- tianity, wom11n's position was recognized and honoured. Christ has taught humanHy the dignity of service; and as when on earth he e.ccepted the ministrations of devout 11nd attached women, so now he delights in their labours and self-sacrifice in his causo on ei1rth. 8. The form of her service is mentioned; she was "a sucoourer of many." Prol 1nhly a matron of means and social consideration, she had, and used, the oppor- tunity to show kindness to her kindred in the faith, and to others in necessity. She may have shown hospitality to Christian ministers, have visited and relieved the sick poor, have rescued the fallen and neglected. "Of myself also," says the apostle, gratefully and gracefully acknowledging gentle and kindly ministrations. Possibly he had been sick at Cenchrea, upon the occasion when he is recorded to havo made a vow, and Phcebe may have entertained and nursed him. II. THE BEQUEST MADE BY PAUL TO THE ROMANS ON BER DEHALF. 1. The footing is described upon which they were enjoined to receive her-" in the Lord," i.e. in the Lord's Name, and for the Lord's sake. This was the light in which Jesus himself had taught his disciples to regard one another. In receiving any in Christ's Name, we receive Christ himself. The Romans were to consider that the Divine Lord did, in a sense, in the person of his faithful disciples, come amongst them. 2. The law of treat- ment is laid down-" as saints." That is to say, it was to be borne in mind, in their social and religious intercourse, that they were not as the heathen around, that they were a select and consecrat.ed people. Going into this great sinful city, this Cenchrean matron might look for treatment and conversation becoming to saints; she might expect religions prinleges, and something more than courtesy-even Christian cor- cilality and kindness. 3. Such being the sentiments enjoined, it is interesting to see that Paul expect.ad such feelings to prompt to corresponding action, The Roman Christians are desired to assist Phcebe in her business. Whether this was domestic, commercial, or legal, we do not know. In any case, she might well be grateful for an introduction which would secure for her the countenance, counsel, sympathy, and aid of men of wisdom and experience, of character and position. Script.ure constantly warns UB against allowing good feeling to pass away without leading to suitable expression in action. It is a lesson which even religious and well-meaning people need to have inculcat.ed and repeated. APPLICATION. L Let Christian communities aim at realizing the fellowship which such passages as this imply and commend. 2. Let Christian women seek, according to their station, opportunity, and ability, to live as servants of Christ and of Christ's Church. a. Let all Christian people hold in honour those godly women who devote themselves to the succouring of the needy, the neglected, and the sinful. Vere. 8-S.-Fill<nDskip in tm,1 and wjfering. Paul had a marvellous power of drawing around him like-minded natures, to whom, by God's grace, he imparted much of his own spirit, and whose assistance vastly increased the effect of his benevolent ministry. Among these were Aquila and his wife Prisca, or Priscilla, whom ho first rnet at Corinth, and to whom he was drawn by their common occupation as tent- 1uakers. If not at that time Christians, they evidently became so through hie irititruction and influence. They laboured with Paul in the gospel, first at Corinth arid then at Ephesus. They returned, at a later period, to Rome, whence, in common with the Jews generally, they had been expelled by Claudius. And they were at Rome, carrying on the same work of ~vangelizat1on and promoti~g Chri;stian fello~shil;', when Paul wrote this Epistle to the Romans. Hence the salutation which occurs m this place. L EXAMU.'E THE 6EBV1CEB, MERITS, AND CLAIMB, QJP TlllB CHRISTIAN COUPLE, 'fhey e.n, commended for: 1. Their /dlowaltip with Paul in worlc. 'l'he Christian life, and emphatically the life of the Christian evangelist, is a life of labour. Not mere activity or LusirwHs-like effort 11.nd lliSiduity; but labour "in Christ Jesus;" which means, fur on. XVI, 1-27.) THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.