Gaius, Erastus and Quartus Romans 16:23

As we read the latest verse in the letter to the Roman believers, we learned that, “Tertius” “wrote this epistle”, and he “saluted” the believers in Rome “in the Lord.” In chapter sixteen and verse twenty-three of Romans Paul shared about, “Gaius, Erastus and Quartus” where we read:

Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you.

Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.

The verse begins, “Gaius my host, and of the whole church, salutes you.”. The writer began with the word, “Gaius” whose name means “lord” and was “a Macedonian who accompanied Paul in his travels, a man from Derbe who went with Paul from Corinth in his last journey to Jerusalem or a man of Corinth who was his host in his second sojourn in that city” “my host” or “Paul's one who received and entertains another hospitably or with whom he stays or lodges”, “and of the whole church” or “and pertaining to all and the complete assembly or gathering of people for worship in a religious meeting”, “salutes you” which means “greets, bids welcome, wishes well and receives joyfully the believers in Rome”. Paul's “one with whom he lodged”, “Gaius”, sent his greeting to the believers in Rome as well.

The verse continues, “Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.” Paul added the word, “Erastus” whose name means “beloved” and was “a companion of the apostle Paul and the public treasurer of Corinth” “the chamberlain” or “the manager of household affairs, steward, superintendent and overseer” “of the city” which means “pertaining to the place where one lives” “salutes you” or “greets, bids welcome, wishes well and receives joyfully the believers in Rome”, “Quartus” whose name means “fourth” and was “a Roman who is mentioned among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Berytus” “a brother” or “of the same parents or a fellow countryman”. Paul recognized “Erastus” who was the “city manager, steward and overseer” and his fellow countryman “Quartus” who also “greeted” the believers in Rome.

When we meditate upon the words of this verse, we see how there were more men whom he desired for the believers to be greeted. “Gaius” hosted Paul, and “Erastus” the city overseer bid welcome to the believers in Rome as did “Quartus”. Once again this is an example of the family of God caring for one another because they have received Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”, and regardless of whether they hold “high” offices in the public or not, all believers are united together in Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.