There is a beautiful fitness in the place occupied by these salutations, forming, as they do, a suited close, not merely to this last section of the epistle, the practical walk, (chaps. 12:-16:,) but to the entire book. They are the simple unstudied outflow of the apostle's heart to those dear to him, but express at the same time the practical results of that grace known and experienced which has been revealed in the body of the epistle. It has been rather the fashion to decry doctrine as something cold and hard, and to clamor for love, nothing but love. This is as senseless as it would be to exalt the fruit above the tree that bears it. We must have love, but we cannot have it at the expense of truth, which gives it intelligence, consistency, and power. This we may learn from the position of our chapter. Further, it can be seen that all these expressions of grace are in entire accord with what are usually termed the harder, more Calvinistic doctrines of Scripture. Man's lost condition; his utter helplessness; the absolute worthlessness of works for justification; faith the one essential; the sentence of death upon self the necessary prerequisite for a holy walk; tribulation the portion of the believer here; the sovereignty of God in electing grace;-these and kindred themes the despiser of doctrine would say were enough to dry up all the springs of natural affection in man's heart. But if they do dry up natural affection-a thing not for a moment admitted-they do but furnish a fitting channel for the outflow of those divine affections which find their expression in the salutations before us.
We have here not a mere list of names of saints to whom greeting is sent, but many a delicate touch of appreciation and commendation, as the loved name calls up faithful service in the past.
Rome was the great center whither all the business of the empire gravitated. This easily explains the
wide circle of acquaintances the apostle had there. Aquila and Priscilla, and doubtless many other Jewish Christians, had been forced to leave Rome by the edict of the emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2).When this severity relaxed, they naturally returned. Others, like Phoebe, had probably gone to Rome from the various assemblies. Doubtless some of these saints were converted to Christ while away from Rome-possibly some at Jerusalem, some at Antioch. Some were there who had been in Christ before the wonderful conversion of Paul. Some were, without doubt, his own children in the faith.
Nor can we believe that the very names of these saints are without special significance, having found so much of profit in that way in the Old Testament. We have, too, warrant to expect the same in the New. Our Lord gave names to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. The name of Stephen (a crown) is significantly appropriate to one who gained the first martyr's crown; and the name of Paul (little) suits well the one who counted those things which had been gain to him as loss for Christ. His previous name recalls Israel's first king, the man after the flesh, dead and shoulders above the rest of the people. Timothy, one who honors God; John, Jehovah is gracious; and other names will be readily recalled as peculiarly appropriate to those who bore them. Without attempting an exhaustive examination of the significance of the names in the chapter before us, we will take up a few of the plainer ones, and see what lessons we can gather from them.
The lowliness of service, which yet does not escape the Lord's eye, is suggested in the first name here being that of a woman-Phoebe. She has served at Cenchrea, and carries with her to Rome the commendation of the apostle. Her name is the feminine of Phoebus-the light-bearer;-and does not faithful, though it be lowly, service make the Lord's people light-bearers ?
In Prisca and Aquila (ancient and eagle ?) we have that union of wife and husband in the Lord's service as beautiful as it is, alas, rare. They risked their lives in serving the apostle. Fittingly in this well-ordered household, there is an assembly. For God's assembly could not appropriately be lodged in a disorderly household. Possibly the meaning of their names may suggest the happy mingling of conservatism and zeal.
Epaenetus (to be praised) is a beautiful name for one who was the first-fruits of Asia (R. V.) to Christ. Well is it for us when our course is worthy of commendation. And His eye which is as a flame of fire is kind as well as quick to mark that in us which is deserving of His praise.
Mary (bitter), in sweet contrast with her name, has been a devoted servant to the saints. But He always turns bitter to sweet. Andronicus (conqueror) and Junias (younger) are marked as having been fellow-prisoners as well as kinsmen of the apostle, that is, Jews. In this warfare it is no disgrace for the victor to be a prisoner. The world sees him in chains, God sees him a conqueror. So in every strait, when weakness and necessity seem to have their way with us, we can still be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Amplias (increasing) is a good name. "Not as though I had already attained." When we are satisfied, we are going backward. Let us press forward.
Urbane (urbanus, of the city) can well remind us to what city we belong. "Our citizenship is in heaven." It is the heavenly-minded saint who is indeed a helper.
Stachys (an ear of corn) suggests the fruitfulness of the divine life. It is not a grain of corn merely, that which has life, but an ear, that which has seed for sowing. Ought we not to be ears of corn, with the good seed to spare, ready to sow beside all waters ?
"Apelles (separated) approved in Christ." How these words fall together. To the world, his name suggests, one who will not walk with it; with a reputation perhaps of being a recluse. He walks apart, as one whose heart and associations are elsewhere. But he is "approved" by the Master. Ah, beloved, can we take the meaning of this name as suited to our walk? Are we separated unto God, and thus approved ?
The friends, or family, of Aristobulus (the best advice, or adviser)-those who have taken the best advice. Who but the Lord gives that ? and we may be sure those who take His counsel will have His salutation. Are you in doubt as to your path, perplexed, well-nigh hopeless ? Go to the best Adviser, and you will surely be guided aright.
Other names, no doubt all of them, in this list are most suggestive :Phlegon (burning, zealous), Hermes (interpreter), Philologus (lover of the word), Nereus (a candle), are all so clear in their meaning that no word is needed to apply them. Taken altogether, we might say we have in these names the various characteristics in the child of God which meet His approval, and to whom He sends a loving greeting.
But there was another class at Rome, not mentioned by name, of whom the apostle speaks here, not to send them a loving greeting, but to warn the saints:-they were to be avoided. They might use "good words and fair speeches," but they were not building the saints up on their most holy faith, nor knitting them together in love, but were dividing them, and causing them to stumble-practically diverting them from the doctrine-as in this whole epistle -which they had learned. These get cold neglect, in most marked contrast with the warm and loving greetings in the first part of the chapter. Be it ours, beloved brethren, to walk so humbly before our God that the blessed Spirit may ever minister His greetings to us, and not show by His grieved silence that we are among those unnamed ones who are to be marked and avoided.