Author: Will

Romans 16:6 – Hard Working Mary

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Romans 16:6 – Hard Working Mary

Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Truth to Learn

Some people in the church work extremely hard and get little or no recognition.

Behind the Words

“Mary” is translated from the Greek name Miriam, which is transliterated from the Hebrew name Miryam, meaning “rebelliously.” Some texts have the name as mirian. So this could variously be translated as Mary, Maria, Miriam, or Marian.

The word “labored” is translated from the Greek verb kopiaō, which is derived from the noun kopos, which literally means “a cut” but figuratively refers to “heavy labor which reduces one’s strength.” Thus, kopiaō means “to work hard to the point of feeling fatigued.”

The word “us” is from hēmas, however some Greek manuscripts have the word humas, meaning “you (plural).”

Meaning Explained

Very little is known for certain about this woman, Mary. The only thing which Paul says about her is that she was an extremely hard worker. It is possible that this woman was a tireless worker in Paul’s church planting, evangelistic ministry, and that she offered her services in multiple cities where Paul preached. On the other hand, based on the textual variation of “you” versus “us,” it could be that she was a resident of Rome who dedicated her hard work in the service of the church there.

The fact that Paul sends her greetings in his letter to the Roman church would seem to indicate that he was quite familiar with her and was quite familiar with how hard she worked. If this is the case, then it makes sense that she expended her hard work in assisting Paul in his ministry. It is possible that she, like Aquila and Priscilla, had assisted Paul in Greece and Asia Minor and had since moved to Rome. Whoever this woman was and whatever her specific task was, we know that she was a tireless worker who labored hard and long.

This type of hard work on behalf of our Lord is recognized in several places in the New Testament. In His message to the seven churches in the opening chapters of Revelation, Christ says this to the church at Ephesus:

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

In this passage, both “labor” and “labored” are translated from the same word used to describe Mary in today’s verse. Also, this same word is used in one of the more easily recognized quotes from the Bible where our Lord said:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Application

Many people attend church each Sunday to get a spiritual recharge and to find some peace and rest. Such would not be possible, however, were it not for those who work tirelessly with little or no recognition, such as janitors, nursery workers, or office assistants. Let’s all make it a point this week to find someone like Mary and thank them for the hard word they give week after week to the service of our Lord.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

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Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance.

Behind the Words

Notice that the word “greet” is in an italic font. That’s because it does not appear in the Greek text, but has been inserted by the translators. The Greek text actually reads, “Likewise the church that is in their house.”

“Church” is from the Greek noun ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, we see that ekklēsia literally means “a group of called out ones.” It originally referred to citizens who were called out by a herald for a public meeting. As Christians gathered in the first century they were initially referred to as a synagogue (from the Greek sunagogē, meaning “gathered together ones”). But, in order to distinguish them from a Jewish gathering, they were soon referred to as a church (ekklēsia).

The word “firstfruits” is translated from aparchē. This is another compound word. This one is made up of apo, meaning “from” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” Thus, aparchē literally means “begin from.” In other words, it is the beginning of something from which other things follow.

The word “Achaia” does not appear in some of the major Greek texts. Instead, the word Asia appears.

Meaning Explained

The first thing we learn from this verse is that Aquila and Priscilla were totally involved in ministering for the Lord. Not only did they work with Paul in both secular and spiritual activities, helping Paul and even risking their own lives for him, but they also had a church meeting in their own house. Some have speculated that this simply indicated some of the members of the church in Rome gathering in their home from time to time. However, we know that Aquila and Priscilla seemed to use their home for church meetings elsewhere as well. Since Paul wrote 1Corinthians from Ephesus, we see that Aquila and Priscilla had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus as well.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1Corinthians 16:19)

Paul now moves on from Aquila and Priscilla, sending greetings to a man named Epaenetus. His name means “praised.” We know nothing about this man other than what Paul proclaims here. He was someone very special to Paul because he refers to Epaenetus as his “beloved.” He also indicates that this man was the firstfruits of Achaia (or Asia). This implies that Epaenetus was the first (or one of the first) people to become a Christian in that area.

Application

Aquila and Priscilla were active members involved in ministering to the body of Christ no matter where they were. Likewise, Phoebe used what God had given to her to support the body, especially those who had a particular need. Are you an active member of the body of Christ, or do you just go to church?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

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Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

Some of the most important ministries are behind the scenes.

Behind the Words

The word “risked” is a metaphorical translation of hupotithēmi. This is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tithēmi, meaning “to place or to put.” So, literally this word means “to place underneath.” It is a word which was used of those who “placed their neck under the axe of the executioner.” The correctness of this metaphorical translation is strengthened by the fact that Paul says it is their “neck” that they “placed underneath.”

Eucharistō is the word translated “give thanks.” This is a word which we have seen before. A transliteration of this word gives us our English word Eucharist, which refers to communion or the Lord ’s Supper. Eucharistō means “to give thanks.”

Meaning Explained

From verse three we know that Paul is talking about Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife team who were instrumental in assisting Paul in both his secular job and his ministry. He says here that they risked their own necks for him. We don’t know exactly how they did this, for there is no direct scriptural evidence, but we do know that Paul was in physical danger on several occasions. One such time may have been there in Corinth when the Jews accused Paul of breaking the law:

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” (Acts 18:12-13)

Another time that Aquila and Priscilla may have endangered themselves to protect Paul was in Ephesus where there was a great uprising against Christians:

So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. (Acts 19:29-30)

Paul also makes it clear that Aquila and Priscilla were a great help to some of the churches. Again, we don’t know exactly what Paul is referring to but one example of their service to the churches is found again in Ephesus where they provided scriptural training for Apollos, a preacher of the gospel:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26)

Application

Obviously, Aquila and Priscilla were used by God in the early church by assisting Paul in his ministry and by teaching correct doctrine to those who were gifted in proclaiming it. It seems that their ministry was “behind the scenes” where they worked quietly and fervently. Is this the type of ministry God has called you to? If so, do it faithfully like Aquila and Priscilla.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:3 – Secular Saints

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Romans 16:3 – Secular Saints

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Truth to Learn

Just because you work at a secular job doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to use you in building up the church.

Behind the Words

“Greet” is translated from aspadzomai, which is made up of a, denoting union and probably a form of spaō, meaning “to draw.” Thus, aspadzomai means “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” Just as it is today, a hug was a form of greeting, especially within the body of Christ.

The name “Priscilla” literally means “little Prisca.” It is like a person today named Bill being referred to as Billy.

“Fellow workers” is from sunergos, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of ergon, meaning “work or labor.” So, sunergos means “a fellow laborer.”

Meaning Explained

Paul met Priscilla and Aquila on his first trip to Corinth (see Acts chapter eighteen). Paul’s commission from God was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles but his occupation was that of a tent maker. In large cities in the Roman world, the various trades gathered together around the marketplace. Likewise, in the Synagogue the various trades sat together in “guilds.” Therefore, it is not unusual that Paul would have met a fellow tent-maker when he first arrived in Corinth. Because Paul and Aquila were both tent makers and both Jews who believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, Aquila and Priscilla apparently asked Paul to live with them when he first came to town.

And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. (Acts 18:2-3)

From this passage in Acts, we also learn that Aquila and Priscilla originally lived in Rome, but they had to leave when Emperor Claudius kicked all the Jews out of Rome. At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was again in Corinth, but by this time Aquila and Priscilla had moved back to Rome.

Paul remained in Corinth for about a year and a half, then he sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila sailed with him. On their way to Syria, however, they stopped in Ephesus where Priscilla and Aquila stayed behind.

So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him… And he came to Ephesus, and left them there… (Acts 18:18-19)

It is quite likely that Paul worked side-by-side with Aquila making tents, but Priscilla was likely more involved in helping Paul in his preaching ministry. That is probably why in both Romans 16:3 and 2Timothy 4:19, when Paul mentions this couple he refers to Priscilla first.

Application

God may have called you to work full-time in a Christian organization. Even if He didn’t, though, you can have a significant impact in building the body of Christ. If you are not serving God in a local church, you may be missing out on one of the greatest blessings God could bestow on you.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

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Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Truth to Learn

Helping other Christians is a Christ-like thing to do.

Behind the Words

The word “receive” is translated from prosdechomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” This word literally means “to receive unto oneself.”

“In a manner worthy” is translated from the adverb axiōs. This is based on the word axios (short “o”), meaning “worthy.” Thus, axiōs (long “o”) means “worthily” or “in a worthy manner.”

“Assist” is from paristanō, made up of para, meaning “beside or near” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Literally, this word means “to stand with” or “to stand beside.” It is used in a courtroom setting referring to the one who presents a case or who provides a witness.

“Business” is from pragma, which is derived from the verb prassō, meaning “to do repeatedly” or “to practice.” Pragma refers to an action or a deed that is done repeatedly or constantly.

The word translated “helper” is prostatis, which is made up of pro, meaning “toward” or “before” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to set in place.” In secular Greek writing of the time, this is the word used to refer to a “patron,” one who supports or takes care of another.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that Paul is talking about a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea (near Corinth). It is generally believed that Phoebe is the one who delivered this letter to the church in Rome. And, it appears that she was a wealthy women, due to the fact that Paul presents her as having been a helper (patroness) of many people, including Paul himself. Apparently, she provided financial support for Paul in his ministry. From Paul’s use of the words paristanō and pragma we might infer that Phoebe went to Rome on some legal or other business matter.

Whatever Phoebe’s reason for going to Rome, Paul instructs the church there to receive her as a fellow Christian worthy of respect. We are all aware that businesses today often use symbols of Christianity (like the sign of the fish) to attract Christians as potential customers. Usually it is legitimate, but sometimes, based on the way they do business, it appears to be a marketing ploy. Paul’s comments to the church in Rome indicate that Phoebe was a genuinely devout Christian and that they should willingly assist her with whatever help she might need. She has demonstrated her own unselfishness by helping many others, and now it is time for members of the body of Christ to show unselfishness toward her.

Application

As Christians, we are often asked to provide help for fellow Christians in need. For some of us it’s difficult to do. For others it’s easy. For all of us, its part of being Christ-like.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

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Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,

Truth to Learn

Women who serve in formal positions in a church perform an important service to God and His church.

Behind the Words

“Commend” is translated from the Greek verb sunistēmi, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and histēmi, meaning “to stand or to set in place.” Thus, the literal interpretation of this word is “to stand together.” When used of persons it generally means “to introduce or present to one’s acquaintance for favorable notice.” Thus, it means to commend or present as worthy. This is the word which was commonly used in letters of commendation.

The word translated “sister” is adelphē. This is the feminine form of adelphos, which is made up of a, implying togetherness or unity and delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus, adelphē means a female who has come out of the same womb. Both adelphos and adelphē are frequently used metaphorically to refer to a brother or sister in Christ.

“Servant” is from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “a minister, a servant, or a deacon.” In this verse it most likely refers to the formal position of deaconess within the church.

“Cenchrea” was a port city just nine miles east of the city of Corinth. Some believe that this was where the church of Corinth actually met, though there is some dispute on this matter.

Meaning Explained

Having finished his doctrinal teaching, Paul now closes the letter with a series of salutations. In doing so he demonstrates his intimate knowledge of members of the church in Rome even though he had not yet been to Rome. This is a sign of a good minister of the Gospel, knowing personal details about the people to whom and with whom he ministers.

He starts off this verse with a formal commendation of a woman named Phoebe, who was probably the messenger carrying this letter from Corinth (where Paul was when it was written) to Rome. Phoebe is referred to as a deaconess. Though this could be interpreted as simply “a minister” or “a servant,” the fact that Paul refers to her as a diakonos “of the church in Cenchrea” indicates that it probably was her formal position in the church. In the first century of the Christian church, it was not uncommon to have deaconesses whose primary responsibilities were to minister to and care for other women in the church. Elsewhere in the New Testament, references are made to a class of females whose duty it was to teach other females and to take the general superintendence of that part of the church. Also, various letters of ecclesiastical history (not included in the Bible) give evidence to this class of females within the church. The strict separation of the sexes in the early church made the services of deaconesses necessary for baptism, visiting the women, and teaching women’s study groups.

Application

Though there is sound Biblical evidence that the position of pastoring a church is to be strictly limited to men, that doesn’t mean that women are to be excluded from serving in formal positions. Women are needed to perform much needed duties in the church and are commended by God for doing so.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:33 – Peace With God

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Romans 15:33 – Peace With God

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Truth to Learn

God is the only source of true peace. You can be at peace with God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good). So, the God of peace means that God joins together with you to produce goodness and peace.

“Amen” is transliterated from the Hebrew awmane, which properly means “firm.” It is used to express trustworthiness or sureness. In other words, it means “surely, truly, it is so.”

Meaning Explained

The primary object of this epistle to the Romans has been to encourage a bond of peace between the believing Jews and Gentiles in Rome, and to show them their mutual obligations and the infinite mercy of God to them all. Now he concludes with a prayer that the God of peace – He with whom we are joined together, from whom it comes, and by whom it is preserved – might be forever with them, Jewish Christian and Gentile Christian alike.

Paul told the Philippians not to worry but to pray unto God with thanksgiving and that they would, in turn, receive the peace of God that no one can fully understand. Here’s how Paul said it to them:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

In this fifteenth chapter of Romans, the Lord has been named the God of patience and consolation (verse five), the God of hope (verse thirteen), and now the God of peace. He is the source of everything good and of everything a poor sinner needs both now and eternally.

Application

Do you have God’s peace? Are you joined together with Him for your mutual good?

If not, have you ever truly humbled yourself before Almighty God, admitted that you are a sinner deserving the punishment of Hell, and asked God to save you by His mercy? If you have never done this, then you can’t have real peace; you are still in your sins, and you will pay the eternal penalty for them in the flaming fires of Hell. If, on the other hand, you have submitted yourself to God as an undeserving sinner claiming the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins, then you can know this peace that only comes from God, and you will spend eternity in His presence.

May this peace be yours today, and may God receive the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:32 – Following With Joy

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Romans 15:32 – Following With Joy

that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

Truth to Learn

Following God’s will is not always comfortable or easy but it will produce joy in our hearts.

Behind the Words

“Will” is translated from thelēma, which is based on the verb thelō meaning “to will or wish.” But it implies more than just a wish or a desire, it implies purpose and determination. There is another Greek word, boulomai, which is also translated “will.” Thelō refers to a person’s determined will, whereas boulomai refers to a person’s desirous will. It is like a child being sent into a candy store with a limited amount of money. His (or her) desirous will is to have everything in the store, but the child determines (decides) to purchase what can be acquired with the money he or she has; this is the child’s determined will.

The Greek word translated “refreshed” is an interesting word. It is the Greek word sunanapausomai. This is a compound word made up of three parts. The Greek word sun means “with” or “together with.” The middle part of this word is ana, meaning “again,” and the final part of the word is from the verb pauō, meaning “to cease or to give rest.” Putting these all together we see that Paul wanted to be “refreshed again together” with the Christians in Rome.

Meaning Explained

Paul had another reason for wanting the Christians in Rome to pray for him, and he shares the reason in the current verse. He has already told them that he expected to go to Spain and to stop at Rome on the way. If his ministry to the Jews in Jerusalem was not successful, it would be a disappointment to him. If he could successfully deliver the gifts from the churches in Greece to the saints in Jerusalem, however, then it would be a joyous thing for Paul.

But he knew that he was bound by the will of God to go wherever God sent him. That’s why Paul said, “so that I may come to you with joy by the (determined) will of God.” If God had other plans for Paul (and we know that he did), then Paul was willing to be part of those plans. He did eventually go to Rome, but it was not in the manner that he was expecting. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and remained imprisoned for three years before being sent to Rome to stand before Caesar.

That is not to say, however, that Paul did not go with joy. He was not surprised that he ended up in chains in Jerusalem, for that’s exactly what had been revealed to him on numerous occasions. Paul certainly would rather have gone to Rome as a free man, but following God’s will was more important to him and being God’s bondservant was all the freedom that Paul needed. Because he knew that the imprisonment was God’s doing, I’m sure that it was with joy “in the Lord” that Paul eventually got to Rome.

Even though Paul had never actually met most of the people in the Church in Rome he felt a fellowship with them through the blood of Christ. And, when he did eventually get to Rome the saints there not only welcomed him with open arms but they provided for his needs while he was in prison there.

Application

Let’s all determine to make following God’s will the full focus or our lives. If that means pain or sorrow, we can still have joy in our hearts knowing that we are serving the King of Kings.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:31 – Fearful or Following?

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Romans 15:31 – Fearful or Following?

that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

Truth to Learn

Following God is more important than personal safety.

Behind the Words

The word translated “delivered” is rhuomai, meaning “to snatch from danger, to rescue, or to deliver.”

“Acceptable” is from the Greek word euprosdechomai, a double compound word made up of eu, meaning “good or well,” pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” Thus, it means “well received.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul urgently requested the Christians in Rome to join him in fervent, heartfelt prayer, striving against the forces of Paul’s opposition. If you or I were asking for prayer in this situation, we most certainly would ask for deliverance from the persecution that was surely coming. The Apostle Paul also wanted to be delivered from trouble, because he was concerned that the disbelieving Jews in Judea might try to do him harm. Clearly, Paul had good reason to believe this. Throughout his journeys to spread the gospel he was repeatedly accosted, thrown in jail, and even stoned. On his third missionary journey, about the time that he was writing this letter, Paul was planning to return to Judea by way of Syria but someone discovered a plot among the Jews:

Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (Acts 20:2-3)

As he continued on this journey to Jerusalem, Paul stopped and invited the leaders of the church in Ephesus to come and meet with him. He shared with them the many trials that he had endured for the sake of the Gospel and told them that he had received repeated indications from the Spirit of God that chains and tribulations awaited him in Jerusalem.

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (Acts 20: 22, 23)

He knew that something bad was going to happen to him in Jerusalem and yet he felt bound by the Spirit of God to go there anyway. And, although Paul wanted to be delivered from personal harm, that was not his primary concern. He wanted to deliver the gift to the converted Jewish saints in Jerusalem and he wanted that gift to be well received. He knew that trouble from the Jewish unbelievers might take away from the joy and gratitude of those receiving the gift he was bringing.

Once again, we see that Paul’s focus was on his ministry, not on his personal situation. He was so intent on delivering the gift to those in need that he gave little thought for what might happen to him in Jerusalem

Application

Paul was more interested in serving God than in saving his own skin. If we are focused on serving God when and where He calls us, personal concerns take a back seat. I wonder – if you knew that following God’s calling for your life would mean personal harm, would you still do it? Think about that!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:30 – Pray for Me!

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Romans 15:30 – Pray for Me!

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,

Truth to Learn

Christians should ask for prayer help when they need it.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “beg” is parakalō. It is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” and a form of the verb kaleō meaning “to call.” So parakalō literally means, “to call someone alongside.” This word is sometimes translated as “exhort” or “encourage.” In John 14:26, the Holy Spirit is referred to as our paraklētos (comforter or helper). In the current verse, however, I think that the literal meaning makes the most sense.

“Strive together,” is translated from the Greek word sunagōnidzomai. This is another compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” and agōnidzomai (from which we get our English word agonize), meaning “to strive, struggle, or contend for victory.” It generally refers to fighting or wrestling, but figuratively it is the task of faith in persevering amid temptation and opposition.

Meaning Explained

Paul knows that he is soon to be on his way to Judea to deliver the gift from the Greek Churches to the poor saints in the church in Jerusalem. He knows that the journey and the time of visitation in Jerusalem will be dangerous. Just how dangerous he may not have known, but on his way there, having stopped at Caesarea, he received a message from a prophet named Agabus. Here’s what he was told:

When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” (Acts 21:11)

I’m sure that Paul believed the prophetic message, but he was not deterred in making this trip because he believed that God was leading him there. However, knowing that there was potential danger, he asked the Christians in Rome to pray with him. He starts out this current verse with, “Now I call you alongside, brethren.” Paul was asking the Christians in Rome to spiritually come alongside him and join him in prayer.

But he was not just asking them to offer up a couple of sentence prayers for him. He asked them if they would, “strive together with me in prayers.” So we see that Paul was asking the Christians in Rome to join him in fervent, heartfelt prayer, striving against the forces of Paul’s opposition.

We will see in the next verse that Paul understood what he would be up against in Jerusalem and wanted all the prayer support he could get. The thing that amazes me is the fact that the great Apostle Paul, who repeatedly demonstrated the power of God and the goodness of the gospel of Christ, wasn’t afraid to ask for prayer support.

Application

Is that what you do when you are in the midst of spiritual battles? Do you ask your Christian friends and members of your church to pray with you and for you? Or are you afraid to ask? Paul wasn’t!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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