Grounds, for greeting.
Salutations are often empty forms. Yet the original meaning is often very deep and beautiful and appropriate. Our "God bless you!" and "Good-bye!" and "Adieu!" are instances If we sincerely send "respects" and "kind regards," it is well. Salutations are not to be neglected or despised because they are often meaningless or insincere. See in this passage how Paul greeted his friends in Christ. Even as Christ himself, coming to his own disciples, addressed them thus, "Peace be with you!" so the apostle, even in this important Epistle, did not think it beneath him to salute his friends.
I. CHRISTIANITY IS A BOND WHICH UNITES TOGETHER PERSONS OF MOST VARIOUS CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYMENTS. Of the persons greeted, some were Jews and some were Gentiles. Some were persons who had, to some extent, the command of their own time; for they are mentioned as having laboured much with the apostle, or as having entertained him with hospitality. Some undoubtedly were slaves. From the Epistle to the Philippians, written a very few years after this, it appears that members of Caesar's household were numbered among the Christian community at Rome. Recent explorations near the old metropolis of the world have brought to light tomb- inscriptions, including many of the names mentioned in this chapter, in memory of persons in the imperial household. It is all but certain that some of these friends of Paul held such positions, it may be honourable and important, but probably of an ordinary kind. They may have been artificers and craftsmen and household attendants. Two other households are mentioned here—those of Aristobulus and of Narcissus. There seems no reason to suppose that the heads of these households were Christians. They may themselves have been dead at this time, and their bondmen may have passed over by bequest to the emperor. The list includes some Christian Jews, now permitted to return to Rome—persons whom, in their wanderings, Paul had met in various cities of Asia and of Europe, and whose memory he retained in his capacious and affectionate heart.
II. CHRISTIANITY CONFERS HONOUR UPON THOSE WHO ABE LITTLE ESTEEMED IN THE WORLD. The names mentioned in these verses are all, and utterly, unknown to fame. They here glint across our vision, like meteors in the midnight sky, which appear for a moment, only to vanish for ever. Yet Paul esteemed and loved them, and put their names upon this imperishable roll—more glorious and more lasting than the blazoned records of heraldry or the splendid memorials of the historian. It is better to be enrolled among the friends of Christ than to occupy the highest station in the regard of worldly minded men. To be his when he makes up his jewels, this will be honour and happiness indeed.
III. CHRISTIANITY PUTS ITS OWN MARKS UPON ITS ADHERENTS. For example, in this passage, one is described as "in the Lord," implying spiritual union with the Saviour. Another is said to be "chosen in the Lord," and yet another "approved in the Lord"—language which denotes those congenial in character, and obedient in life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, and which points on to a coming and glorious reward. Again, some are described as "brethren" and others as "saints," implying their incorporation into the spiritual family of God, and their holy character and devotion to the Lord's service. Such language assures us that, amidst many faulty and some unworthy Christians, there were not a few amongst the primitive believers who, by their principles and life, must have commended the gospel, and have yielded the truest satisfaction to the apostle's pure and benevolent heart.
IV. Observe, further, sundry RECOGNITIONS or CHRISTIAN SERVICE. One is commended for his "labour in the Lord," and another as having "laboured much in the Lord," whilst a third is described as a "fellow-worker." That Paul laboured more abundantly than all his brethren, he himself has recorded; and such being the habit of his spiritual ministry, he was able and disposed to appreciate the work of his diligent and effective colleagues. There is great discrimination in his language of approbation, and, at the same time, great generosity. We should learn the wholesome lesson, that it is right to appreciate the services of our fellow-Christians, and gratefully to recognize and remember their co-operation.
V. It must strike every reader of this passage that we have here illustrations of the way in which CHRISTIAN APPRECIATION IS INTENSIFIED BY PERSONAL RELATION AND FEELING. One member of the Roman Church he designates "my beloved." In another he recognizes a "kinsman." A third—an aged Christian matron—he designates his own "mother," referring, no doubt, to her tender and hospitable ministrations in former days. Beautiful indeed is natural feeling when thus sanctified by true piety. The Christian family, and the friendly circle, penetrated by Christian principle and sentiment, are nothing less than an earnest of the sacred fellowship of heaven. The Church below thus resembles and prepares for the Church of the Firstborn above.
APPLICATION.
1. The strongest of all social bonds are those of our common Christianity, which, binding hearts to Christ, binds hearts to hearts. Cultivate these bonds.
2. Christian labourers should never forget those who in former days have shared their toils and sacrifices.
3. Courtesy is a Christian grace, and its exercise smooths the path of social life.
4. Sympathy and brotherliness on earth will prepare for the sweet and immortal fellowship of heaven.