Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The peace and harmony of the church are disrupted by such who “crept in unawares” (Jude 3) into the congregation of God’s people. There the beloved Apostle’s counsel is that they are to “mark them” these. The word means “to spy out, look towards an object, to contemplate, give attention to”. God’s people are to be on the look out for such trouble-makers that can destabilise the faith of God’s people.
He exhorts the believers to continue with the practice of greeting one another, maintain the warm relations of spiritual kinship. It may be a handshake, a warm embrace, keep up the spirit of sincere Christian love among brethren. Amen.
This man Rufus is a chosen vessel wherewith God’s presence abide. Not so much his salvation but his godly character. He was one who lived out the Christian character. His love for God and the brethren is well-attested. And his mother cared for the Apostle Paul and is like a mother to him.
These ladies understand the meaning of Christian service. The Apostle Paul commend them for their faithful service in the work of the gospel. They were willing hands ready to toil for the Lord. It is God who blesses these ladies with His presence, power and purpose that they would volunteer their services. Often, the Christian toil is unseen and unheard, a quiet plodding on. The Apostle Paul encouraged them to press on with the good work by his commendation. May the Lord grant you strength and wisdom to labour in His name. Amen.
Indeed, the Apostle Paul has many friends and co-labourers in the Lord. When he was first converted, the Christians feared him for his past misdeeds persecuting Christians. We see how the grace of God can transform the heart of a man. He was changed from a fierce persecutor to a key champion for the cause of the gospel. God can save even the vilest of sinners by His mercy.
The word “approved” means tested and true. Apelles’ relationship is not made known here in our text. However, the Apostle Paul commends him to the church as one that God has tested and has proved himself faithful to Christ. MacArthur observed well, “dokimos (approved) carries the idea of being tried and tested and was used of precious metals, such as gold and silver, that passed tests for purity.”
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.”
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.