Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater Romans 16:21

As Paul the apostle continued his final words to the believers in Rome, he told them, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly”, and he added, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” In chapter sixteen and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul mentioned four more of his companions, “Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater” where we read:

Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

The verse begins, “Timothy my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, ...” Paul began with the word, “Timothy” whose name means “honoring God” and was “a resident of Lystra apparently whose father was a Greek and mother a Jewess; he was Paul's traveling companion and fellow laborer” “my work-fellow” which means “Paul's companion in work and helper”, “and Lucius” whose name means “light, bright or white” and was “a man from Cyrene who was a prophet and a teacher of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1)”, “and Jason” whose name means “one who will heal” and was “a Thessalonian who entertained Paul and Silas and may be a cousin of Paul”. Paul wrote concerning “Timothy” who was his protege' in the ministry as well as “Lucius and Jason” who were also with him at this time.

The verse continues, “... and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.” Paul added the words, “and Sosipater” which means “savior of his father” and was “a kinsman or fellow tribesman of Paul”, “my kinsmen” or “Paul's relative by blood or fellow countryman”, “salute you” which means “greet, bid welcome, wish well and receive joyfully the believers in Rome”. Paul acknowledged “Sosipater” who was either his relative or fellow countryman who bid greeting to all of the believers in Rome.

When we think through these words of Paul, we understand the importance of these men to him. He mentioned them by name and wanted the believers in Rome to know of their greeting. This is how the family of God works together. When people come to know Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they become part of God's family, the church, and greetings and welcome are to be the norm among them. “Timothy, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater” were companions of Paul who were worthy of mention, and those who belong to the family of God are valuable and worth “receiving joyfully” today.

Next time we learn about, “Tertius, who wrote this epistle”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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