The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 463

I, THE NATURE OJJ' WOMUl'B WORK FOB THE SAVIOUR. This is very varied. It may be more public, or more private; it may be domestic, or official. Some are called to nurse in homes or hospitals; some to teach in classes or schools; some to visit the neglected, the dying, the bereaved ; some to restore the lapsed to the paths of ind11Btry and virtue; some to show hospitality. II. TBE QUALITY 0B' WOMAN'S W'OBK FOB THE SAVIOUR. It is often found to be chare.oterized by tenderness and sympathy, by conste.ncy and patience by sobriety and diligence, by fervour and self-denial. ' III. 'l'HE MEASURE OF WOMAN'BWOBK FOB CHRIST, Mary laboured much j and many resem~le h_er-directin~ their e~er~es into vari~us channel~, spendi~g strength of body and mmd m holy service, contmlllng even amidst many mterrupt1ons, and misrepre- sentation and ingratitude, and labouring even to old age. IV. TBE MOTIVE TO WOMAN'S WORK FOB CHRIST. The Lord Jesus has done much for the elevation and happiness of the female sex, and gratitude for mercy received is in many women's hearts a powerful motive to zealous services. Means are sought by which the thankful may show the sincerity of their love. v. THE RECOGNITION OF WOMAN'S W0BK FOB TBE SAVIOUR. This shonld be spon- taneous and ungrudging, generous and ex.pressed. Paul acknowledged the merits of this excellent woman, and by his written salutations admonished the Roman Christians to hold her in honour, and display their gratitude. Yet the best and most desired recognition valued by devout women is the approval and the recompense promised by the Lord himself to every good and faithful servant. Ver. 7.-.A special salutation, It is somewhat singular that, the description of these brothers, Andronicus and Junie.a, being so full and detailed, we should not meet with any other mention of them, either in the Acts or in St. Panl's Epistles. The con- nection between them and the apostle was close and manifold, and their claims to consideration were remarkably high. I. There was FELLOWSHIP IN BLOOD between these brothers and St. Paul Whether this was a close kindred, or simply consanguinity of race, the term does not make certain. In either case there is a recognition of the claims of kindred. Our blood- relationships, and even our ties of nationality and race, are of Divine appointment, and should not be disparaged or overlooked. When our kindred have a spiritual a..s well as e. natural affinity with us, they should be doubly dear, and should be treated with sp_ecial distinction and affection. II. There was FELLOWSHIP IN BUFFERING FOB CHRIST. Panl was often in prison, and sometimes in companionship with those engaged in the same service, and therefore knowingly exposed to the same risks. It must have been a happy :i.nd honourable experience to be associated with such a man, even in bonds and imprisonment. Silas had joined him in his lnidnight hymns in the Philippian jail; Luke shared his imprisonment both on land and by sea; Aristarchus, Andronicus, and J nnias had in some place unknown to us, been his fellow-prisoners. Such community ~ not to be forgotten. It is a distinction to suffer for Christ, and with Christ's people. " If we suffer with Christ "-and this we do when we suffer with his people, and for his sake- " we shall also reign with him." III. These men were in THE CONFIDENCE AND ESTEEM OF THE APOSTLES. Soma have inferred from the language used that Andronicus and J uni11S were numbered among ~he apostles, in tha wider sense of that term. But it is more probable th:i.t they are mentioned as held in high respect and honour among the apostles generally. It is sufficient commendation for a man to be known as the trusted friend of the great and good. It is well to ask conoerning any Christian-Who are his fri~nds? Not- How is he regarded by the titled and the opulent? but-Is he in the confidence of those who are venerated and trusted servants of the Lord? " He that walketh with wise men shall ba wise." IV. There was PEB.BEVERAN0E .A.ND LONG-STANDING CONSISTENCY 01' CIIRISTLU{ CB~- BAOTEB, The Apostle Paul, whon writing to tha Romans, had hilll8elf been " in Christ" for very many years. But these brothers are mentioned by him as having: been Christians before he himself had been brought to subjection to the Lord. As •• old disciples," whose witness to Ohrist had been long and faithful, and who remain~d 4ml THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [on, xvr. 1-l!T.