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Romans 16:22 – Service or Excuses?

I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God wants people to serve without excuses.

Behind the Words

The name Tertius is a Latin name meaning “third.” It was common among the Roman aristocracy to name children Primus (first), Secundus (second), Tertius (third), Quartus (fourth), Quintus (fifth), etc.

The word “wrote” is from the verb graphō, which literally means “to engrave.” The earliest form of writing was to carve or engrave symbols in stone or to create figures in soft clay. Eventually, graphō came to refer to any kind of writing.

“Epistle” is transliterated from the Greek word epistolē. It refers to a form of written communication, what we today would call a letter (the equivalent of a text message or an e-mail).

Meaning Explained

The first thing one is likely to think when they read this verse is, “Hey, I thought that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter!” In fact, Paul is the human author, but Tertius is the one who took pen in hand and wrote out the words for the Apostle.

The next obvious question is, “Why didn’t Paul write it, didn’t he know how to write?” Yes, Paul most certainly did know how to write. However, from his letter to the Galatian churches we find out that he had a physical infirmity, probably a problem with his eyes:

You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. (Galatians 4:13-15)

And later in the same letter he told them:

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! (Galatians 6:11)

It seems that because of his eye problem, Paul had to write with very large letters. Not only would it have required much more writing material, which was bulky and expensive, but it would have been very difficult for Paul to have written a letter as large as the one to the Romans. Therefore, he had what is called an amanuensis, or a penman, do the actual writing for him. It is most likely that Paul dictated the letter and Tertius wrote it down for him.

So, who is Tertius? Some scholars believe that he is Silas, because Silas (a Greek name) means “third” just as the Latin name Tertius. And, we learn from Acts chapter fifteen that Paul and Barnabas split-up as a missionary team after their first trip. As a result, Barnabas took Mark and headed one direction while Paul selected Silas and headed another. Therefore, it is possible that Silas is, in fact, Tertius, the penman of this letter.

Application

The Apostle Paul may have had a serious eye problem, but it did not deter him from serving God with all his heart. Oh that the church today was filled with people like Paul who would give their all to serve God without making excuses. Are you giving God your all, or do you have excuses?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 8:36 – His Targeted Children

As it is written: “For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Truth to Learn

The reason that faithful Christians suffer in this life is not because of disobedience, but because of family lineage.

Behind the Words

The word translated “it is written” is the Greek verb graphō, which literally means “to engrave.” By modern application it means “to write.” It is expressed in the Greek perfect tense, which implies past completed action with an ongoing effect, but the emphasis is on the effect.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just asked the rhetorical question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” He then listed a number of afflictions that can occur to man. He now seems to abruptly change thought and quotes a passage from the Old Testament (Psalms 44:22). If you read through the 44^th Psalm, however, you will see that it is neither abrupt nor a change of thought.

In Psalms 44 the writer is recounting first the way that GOD has fought for the Israelites and how their enemies have been scattered. In the second part of this Psalm, he recounts the shame suffered by the Israelites when God apparently abandoned them. The third portion of this Psalm is the author’s commitment to God in spite of the calamities that have overtaken them. At that point the writer of Psalms 44 proclaimed:

“Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

The reason for the afflictions of the Jewish people was (and is) not because of sin; rather, it is because they are the chosen people of GOD.

That’s the point that Paul is making here and the reason that he quotes this Old Testament passage. In the previous verse he recited a number of afflictions that befall Christians today. He is saying now that the reason for these afflictions is not because of disobedience or sin, it is because we are obedient, and we are the children of GOD. That’s the reason we are (and will be) attacked by our enemy.

Keep in mind what Christ told His disciples in John’s gospel:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:18-20)

Application

We will suffer in this life because we are Christians! In fact, the greater our testimony, the more likely it is that we will suffer. Paul, however, is about to offer a word of encouragement and a glorious truth for us all to know when we are in the midst of those trials.

The key to understanding Christian persecution and suffering is not to focus on what we have done, but what He has done – and what He will always do.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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