Through Jesus Christ, to Whom Be the Glory Forever

This passage contains the apostle Paul's final greetings and exhortations to the believers of the church in Rome. Paul encourages many co-workers and brothers and sisters, calling them by name one by one: Phoebe, Prisca and Aquila, Andronicus and Junia, Rufus and his mother, and more. He confesses that he was able to carry out his mission because of the help of the Holy Spirit and the devotion of his companions in the faith, and through their names and ministries he emphasises the diversity and harmony of the church.

Through Paul's humility and thankful heart, the sermon points out the attitude of faith we should have. In particular, it warns that, unlike heretics who distort the truth and serve only their own belly, true believers must firmly believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, who became flesh. It also urges them to arm themselves with the Word so that they are spiritually pure and innocent of evil, and not shaken by false teaching. It reminds us that just as Paul remembered the believers' names, God too knows each person's name and treasures them.

We can enjoy true glory when we live by God's standards rather than the standards of this world. The question today's passage raises leads us to look back on ourselves: are we living for our own gain and desires, or are we living lives devoted only to the glory of Christ and the will of God?