Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
Stachys was highlighted as a beloved, a dear brother in Christ. We do not have any information concerning this person but we know that he has established a blessed relationship of mutual love and support with the Apostle Paul. What a privilege to be a child of God. The Apostle Paul experienced Christian fellowship and help and love.
Thank God for fellow-workers who are willing to sacrificially serve in the gospel work. Urbane, was such a man whom the Apostle Paul salutes. Truly, in the gospel work, it will be lonely if there is no helper in Christ. The Apostle Paul has Barnabas and Silas, later Timothy and Luke, as travelling companions. This saint, Urbane was there to provide a lack, what a blessing he was. The Apostle Paul fondly remembers him.
Plumer observed rightly, “Amplias is nowhere else mentioned in the Bible. But the affection of Paul towards him was strong; the word rendered beloved being also rendered well-beloved and dearly loved.”
Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
The Apostle Paul salutes Andronicus and Junia, Jews who are prisoners for the sake of the gospel together with him. They serve with distinction, working alongside and together with others Apostles. They became Christians before the Apostle Paul. They were likely Jews from Jerusalem and possibly know that the Apostle Paul, known as Saul before his conversion, was a persecutor of the church.
Mary was one who laboured much to bless God’s people. This word for “labour” speaks of weariness and fatigue, to toil, to be worn out to do good. Such a one though physically exhausted but in the spirit, rejoicing. She has understood the meaning of what Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The Apostle Paul speaks of Epaenetus, one whom he loved dearly in the Lord, who loved the Lord. This man was one the first converts from the Apostle Paul’s ministry in Achaia. Indeed, God manifested His presence and power with the Apostle Paul to bless his spiritual endeavour in the preaching of the gospel by opening the spiritual eyes of this man. He was not only converted but a thriving Christian serving the Lord. This man, the Apostle Paul, salutes. It is a joy each time he recalled God saving and blessing this man.
Acts 7:17-53 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. 19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel
Your Quiet Time
The believer’s quiet time is a private devotion time, set aside for the purpose of cultivating a rich spiritual life. It is an appointment with God. The believer’s quiet time seeks to move him from a state of stress to a state of rest. A calm spirit in the peace and joy of God is the frame of a man who is in touch with God.
The elements of a private devotion are prayer, reading and meditating on God’s Word and singing praises to God. The quiet time must not deteriorate to a regiment. It must not take away the excitement and delight of the soul in the study of God’s Word. Yet there is a need for self-discipline to build up a habit of life-long devotion to God.
Priscilla and Aquila were selfless and sacrificial who co-laboured with the Apostle Paul in the advancement of God’s kingdom. Their love for God and His people were so clearly demonstrated that they were willing to risk even their lives for the sake of the wellbeing of other Christians.
The Apostle Paul is thankful for such friends and their good works were well-known among all the churches of the Gentiles. They were travelling like the Apostle Paul to minister to the believers. Luke recorded how they met. They were tent-makers.