Romans 16:12-15 “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.”
Is there any other religion besides Christianity that heralds individuals? Any other holy book like the Bible? It counts a poor widow gathering enough sticks to make a “last meal” for her son (1 Kings 17:7-16) as significant to God’s plan as the disciple on whom Jesus would build the church (Matthew 16:18).
Christianity makes the outrageous declaration that every single person on earth has the opportunity to participate with God in writing history. Different roles, yes. Different positions, different lifestyles. And different centuries. But we each have the potential to experience lives filled to the brim with significance and purpose.
In the twenty-seven verses of Romans 16, Paul mentions 35 different individuals by name. I couldn’t help but wonder why. Most of them aren’t mentioned elsewhere either in Scripture or the annals of history. Some are commended for risking their lives for the gospel, others simply for their hard work or hospitality. If you believe all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), as I do, then you know God has a reason for including each name.
I believe he wants us to know how important we are…you, me, every single person in his creation. He doesn’t look on some people as “big” and others as “small.” Our significance doesn’t come from a resume of good works but from him whose image we bear.
In 2003, theologian Francis Schaeffer published the book, No Little People. It contains sixteen sermons that rebut the idea many of us conclude that our lives don’t much matter. I thought of that title as I read through the names in Romans 16. Tryphena and Patrobus really existed. As faithful followers of Christ they were anything but “little.” My goodness, they lived over 2,000 years ago and we’re still reading their names!
So take heart! The same is true with you Stephanie, Janice, Gloria, Isaac, Ken….. Because with God there are no little people!