9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have laboured in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who laboured much in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
Romans 16:8-16
1. A continued list of friends with greetings sent to them
(Individuals/ Couples)
a) Amplias
“My beloved in the Lord” Romans 16:8
b) Urbanus
“Our fellow worker in Christ” Romans 16:9a
c) Stachys
“My beloved” Romans 16:9b
d) Apelles
“Approved in Christ” Romans 16:10a
e) Aristobulus
He had a household (family) Romans 16:10b
f) Herodion
“My countryman” Romans 16:11a
g) Narcissus
“Household… who are in Christ” Romans 16:11b
h) Tryphena and Tryphosa
“Laboured in the Lord” Romans 16:12a
i) Persis
“Beloved… laboured much in the Lord” Romans 16:12b
j) Rufus
“Chosen in the Lord,
and his mother and mine” Romans 16:13
2. A continued list of friends with greetings sent to them
(Groups of friends)
a) Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes
And the brethren who are with them Romans 16:14
b) Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister Romans 16:15a
c) And Olympas, and all the saints who are with them Romans 16:15b
3. A Collection of churches
Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. Romans 16:16
AN ANALYSIS OF THE FRIENDS OF PAUL
1. Some may be called “Individual friends”
2. Some friends were grouped together
a) A natural cluster
b) This is not necessary a clique
3. A collection of churches
a) Paul founded many churches
b) They were close to Paul
c) There was a collection of them
EACH GROUP
1. Each group had its own distinctive features
2. But all of them were close to the Apostle Paul
3. He had maintained a special relationship with them
OUR CHALLENGE
1. To build strong friendships
2. To maintain friendship
3. To keep in touch
4. To always be a blessing to each other
INSPIRATIONAL TEXTS
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.