Romans Chapter 16 Vs. 2

 

Personal Greetings

That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Rom 16:2

been a succourer... Greek: prostatis, protector. Athenian writers use the word of those that take in strangers (cp. Rom. 12:8; 1Tim. 5:9-10). She no doubt entertained the apostles and ministers who came to Cenchrea.

Succourer means a patron, protector. In many of Paul’s writings, such as this, we see that many women ministered with him. Paul calls her his sister; she is not his sister in the flesh, but in the ministry.

in whatsoever business... Notice that Paul says to help her in her business. In the first verse, he had told us that her business was as servant in the church. We see from this that, Paul is saying to help her in her ministry. She had been a great help to Paul, as well as others. Notice in this next Scripture in Jesus’ own words what He feels toward these workers:

Mat. 10:40 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” You see when you receive a servant of God (male or female) you are, in fact, receiving the God that sent them.

Paul not only officially commended her (cf. 2Cor. 3:1), but also asked the Roman Christians to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help (lit., “and to stand by her in whatsoever matter”) she may need from you. Paul explained, for she has been a great help (prostatis, “a protectress, succourer”) to many people, including me. So they should help her since she had helped others.