QT 1/15/2025 Rom 16:11-16, The supposed foolishness of the gospel

Romans 16:10–16 (ESV) —

10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.

11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

 

NOTE: There are a lot of names mentioned, many for the first time in scripture. Some of these names may be famous, such as Narcissus, a high official in Rome. Aristobulus (verse 10) was also a famous private citizen whose brother was a close friend of emperor Claudius. Here, Narcissus, was possibly Tiberius Claudius Narcissus, a friend of emperor Tiberius, and a man of proverbial wealth. (As a side note, narcissism is a nineteenth-century word which had its origin in Greek gods, one in particular who fell in love with his reflection in a pool.) Still, if true that Narcissus' family believed, it is interesting that the gospel was having an impact on Romans, both high and low.

 

In Corinthians, Paul seems to exclude the high and mighty:

 

1 Corinthians 1:20–25 (ESV) — 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

It is possible for the high and mighty, what we call the elites, to understand the gospel, but they must overcome their own pride. They must recognize that they do not have the answers to life. They must repent of their sins and humbly give their lives to the savior. Some can, and have, done that. But many will die eternally because their pride is too great.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I look pass the "smart" people, thinking they won't listen to the gospel?
2. Do I recognize that my "smarts" is foolishness in God's eyes?

 

PRAYER: Father, I fool myself often in thinking I know the answers. Forgive me for my pride. I want to know you and you alone.