Paul’s Closing Prayer
January 1, 2021
Commentary
We find here a great roll call of heroes (vv. 21-24). Timothy was mentioned first as he was often in the book of Acts and the Epistles. He was Paul’s “son in the faith” and labored with him in many difficult places. He was a key person in the growth of the early church, traveling with Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts. 16:1-3). Paul wrote two letters to him as he labored to strengthen the churches in Ephesus. Lucius, Jason and Sosipater were all fellow Jews. Tertius was the secretary who wrote his letter as Paul dictated it. Gaius was the man in whose home Paul was residing in Corinth. Paul had won him to Christ and baptized him. Erastus was probably the treasurer of the city, or at least he had a position of importance. All that we know about Quartus was that he was a brother. Paul conveys greetings from all these saints to the church in Rome, reminding them of the great kinship they had with each other through God’s marvelous grace. This should remind us of how much we have in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ, even much more than we do with our unsaved kin. This should remind us of the song, “Bless be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”
Paul now comes to the end of his letter which was probably written by his own hand. Verse 24 was his “official seal” in every letter. His final benediction declares the following:
1. The Work of God is declared (vv. 25-26). It was within both God’s power and purpose to establish His work. This work was completed on the cross of Calvary.
2. The Wisdom of God is declared (v. 27). This draws our attention to the fact that God knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end.
Application
A good question to ask myself is: How much value do I place on my fellowship with other believers in Christ? What am I doing to promote that fellowship? Proverbs 18:24a says, “A man that has friends must show himself friendly.” It is good for me to have “heroes in the faith.”
Romans 16:21– 27 (NET)
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my compatriots. 22 I, Tertius, who am writing this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer and our brother Quartus greet you.
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that had been kept secret for long ages, 26 but now is disclosed, and through the prophetic scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever! Amen.
Illustration: King of Sparta makes a stand with his Greek troops
Leonidas, King of Sparta, was preparing to make a stand with his Greek troops against the Persian army in 480 B.C. when a Persian envoy arrived. The man urged on Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the huge Persian army. “Our archers are so numerous,” said the envoy, “that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun.” So much the better,” replied Leonidas, “for we shall fight them in the shade.” Leonidas made his stand and died with his 300 troops. (Today in the Word, November 4, 1993)