Diverse Synergists (Romans 16)

Prisca and Aquila:
Rom 16:3  Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in
Christ Jesus,
Rom 16:4  who risked their necks for my life, to whom not
only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give
thanks as well.
Rom 16:5  Greet also the church in their house.
– Prisca is an upper-class, wealthy Roman woman’s name
– Aquila was freedman – a formerly enslaved person who
has been officially freed – and we know from Acts that he
was Jewish, and that he was a leather-worker (an
unclean, manual trade).
– There is no scenario in the ancient world where these two
would get married – outside of the gospel!
– They are fellow-workers (synergoi) because they’ve
served with Paul in different cities – even at one point they
have saved his life!
– What is lovely about this verse is the genuine affection,
the shared history, the mutual respect.
My closest friends are those with whom I have shared ministry,
history, adventure, danger.
Paul has great synergy with this couple.

Urbanas:
Rom 16:9  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ,
A “wishname” for an enslaved person – refined, cultivated.
Timothy:
Rom 16:21  Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do
Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

Romans 16: Really diverse expression of co-work in every
possible way.
The holy kiss:
Rom 16:16  Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the
churches of Christ greet you.
– You only kiss family. Not ashamed. Public expression of
acceptance, recognition, mutual respect.