Tuesday • 7/26/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 61 & 62; Judges 2:1-5, 11-23; Romans 16:17-27; Matthew 27:32-44
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

An audio or video version of this devotional can be found here: Apple Podcast, Spotify Podcast, YouTube

Paul closes his magisterial letter to the Romans with four flourishes:

Living in the tension. … keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned … — Romans 16:17. From Romans 14 & 15 we find that Paul is willing to allow dissent within the community over some things — in fact, his refusal to provide definitive answers on them indicates that he thinks “love” is truer than pedantic precision. However, when it comes to denial of the foundational, core truths of Christianity (“the teaching that you have learned”), Paul brooks no compromise. He presupposes the Romans’ basic grasp of these truths (“your obedience is known to all” — see also v. 26). It’s worth an in-one-seating read through Romans with this question in mind: what’s negotiable for Paul? what’s not? how does that affect my living and thinking?

Blessing One: More than conquerors, revisited. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. — Romans 16:20. Paul offers an intriguing blessing that recalls God’s promise in the Garden of Eden that Eve’s seed would bruise Satan’s head. The final fulfillment of that promise will be even stronger, the crushing of Satan himself under the feet of the redeemed. It is profitable to meditate on the ways that Paul thinks about our situation as a “new creation” in Christ:

We are beneficiaries of the Last Adam’s obedience (Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15)
We, like Eve, are susceptible to deception (2 Corinthians 11:3), and must be on our guard against the one who disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Despite the danger around us (and within us?), God will make us ultimately victorious (remember 5:17; 8:37-39) — Jesus will return, and we will judge even angels (1 Corinthians 6:3)

Keeping good company. Timothy, my co-worker, greets you… — Romans 16:21. Paul was no maverick outlier, aloofly pontificating from on high. Writing from Corinth, he shares how he surrounds himself with proteges like Timothy whom he is training for ministry, and with confidants like his amanuensis/secretary Tertius whom he trusts to capture and convey his thoughts accurately in this letter. Paul’s ministry includes people like Phoebe, as well, whose patronage he had enjoyed while in the environs of Corinth (of which Cenchrea was a suburb) and whose service as deacon has won for her his trust to carry the letter to the Romans and to help in its implement by the Roman Christians (Romans 16:1-2). And, of course, Paul expresses his gratitude for his host in Corinth, Erastus, who also happens to be the city treasurer (Romans 16:23).

In an earlier letter, Paul warned the Corinthians that “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). His own life proves the converse—the power of the gospel is amplified in the koinonia—the sense of “partnership” or “friendship”—it creates (see, incidentally, Galatians 2:9; Philippians 1:5). I pray that each of us knows those relationships where there is mutual building up, support, and friendship in Christ.

Blessing Two: Now to God who is able to strengthen you… — Romans 16:25. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise to find that Paul’s last wish for us in this letter is that we know God’s strength. Paul has just reminded us that God will finally vanquish all that is evil. In the meantime, we live here as forerunners and heralds of that victory. We are armed chiefly with the knowledge that the gospel is the culmination of God’s work from before time. And we understand that this message holds promise for life, through “the obedience of faith,” for each of us and for all of us. I pray that you will find God granting, in his mighty Son, all the strength and courage that you need for this day.

Be blessed this day,

Reggie Kidd+

Image: Caravaggio , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons