We often hear about the famous emperors, military generals, and politicians of ancient Rome. But we seldom, if ever, hear about the amazing ladies of ancient Rome.
In Paul’s final closing of his letter to the early Christians living in Rome, he specifically sends greetings to several amazing ladies.
“Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.” (Romans 16:11)
This greeting seems to indicate Narcissus might be a prominent lady of wealth and status, considering Paul greets “all in her household.” Might Narcissus have had beautiful green glass bowls in her home such as these??
Did you know glass items were not uncommon during the times of ancient Rome? I did not realize this. In looking at this display case, we could imagine that these items might have come from Narcissus’s home.
Perhaps Narcissus might have even had an ornate marble side table in her atrium, such as these.
Since Paul sends greetings to those in her household, could this indicate that Narcissus is hosting a small house church in her home??
Whatever the case, it is obvious Narcissus is a leader. She is highly respected. She clearly is a pillar of strength in the early Church in Rome. Narcissus is an amazing lady of ancient Rome.
“Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12)
My guess is that Tryphena and Tryphosa were sisters. They receive a “shout out” in God’s Word for working hard in the Lord. What was it that they did to “work hard in the Lord”?? We are not told.
I can’t help but think Tryphena and Tryphosa must have been joyful ladies. I bet they were go-getters … full of zeal for serving the Lord! They were probably hospitable and known for sharing with God’s people who were in need. No doubt they were faithful in prayer!
We might not know specifically how Tryphena and Tryphosa “worked hard in the Lord,” but God does. And God specifically commends them for it.
In our own lives today, it oftentimes might feel as if all our hard work is in vain. Does any of this matter at all?? All this hard work that I’m doing for the Lord feels as if it’s all just a waste.
God sees. And God is just as pleased with our hard work for him as he was with Tryphena and Tryphosa’s hard work for him. Don’t give up in discouragement. Your hard work for the Lord matters! Your hard work for the Lord is making a difference!
Tryphena and Tryphosa were amazing ladies of ancient Rome.
“Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12)
If Persis was a dear friend of Paul, then she clearly had come to Rome somewhat recently, from somewhere far away. Because Paul had never been to Rome before. He stated in the opening of his letter that he had planned many times to come to Rome but had been prevented from doing so.
Perhaps Persis had served the Lord faithfully in the church at Corinth … and maybe that’s where she had met Paul. Or perhaps she had served in the church at Ephesus. We don’t know.
Perhaps, just like Aquila and Priscilla, Persis might have also been a Jew and driven from Rome in previous years by the Emperor Claudius, just as they were. And perhaps, just like Aquila and Priscilla, she had finally returned back to her home in Rome.
We could imagine Persis standing by the railing on a merchant ship, having just rounded the southern tip of Italy and sailing up the western coastline of Italy … headed towards Rome.
We don’t know much about Persis but we do know that she “had worked very hard in the Lord.” To be described as “working very hard” indicates tenacity! To “work very hard” requires dogged determination. A never-quit attitude! Courage. No doubt Persis was patient in affliction.
Based on Paul’s greeting, we know that Persis was a faithful friend. She obviously was kind and caring. And she clearly was a pillar of strength among the early Christians of Rome.
Persis was an amazing lady of ancient Rome.
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me too.” (Romans 16:13)
Rufus and his mother most likely came to Rome from elsewhere as well. Because if Rufus’s mother had been a “mother” to Paul also, then they clearly knew each other from another city … since Paul had never been to Rome before.
Out of all the amazing ladies of ancient Rome, Rufus’s mother is the one I can identify with. I can just imagine Paul walking into their home and Rufus’s mother taking one look at Paul and declaring: “My, my you are nothing but skin and bones! You need to eat something! Here sit down and let me get you something to eat!” This is what “mother love” does.
I like this display case here because I can imagine Rufus’s mother filling up one of those clay bowls with tasty goodness for Paul to eat. Then getting some fresh-baked bread to go alongside it. And bringing one of those clay pitchers filled with water for Paul to drink.
I can imagine Rufus’s mother asking Paul: “How are you feeling? You look tired? Have you been getting enough sleep?”
I can imagine the worry and concern filling her heart as she sat and listened to Paul share all that he had been going through. For sure Rufus’s mother prayed constantly for Paul! Because that’s what “mother love” does.
Rufus’s mother probably told Paul: “Your tunic is filthy … here let me wash that for you.” I can see her taking Paul’s dirty clothes and carefully laundering them. Then returning his fresh pile of clean clothes, with distinct motherly pride. Because that’s what “mother love” does.
Everyone needs a little “mother love.” What an amazing lady Rufus’s mother was! I just know that she kept right on pouring out “mother love” to those God gave her to love in Rome.
Rufus’s mother was an amazing lady of ancient Rome.
Whoever you are … and whatever God has called you to do in life … it matters! God sees your hard work as you serve him. No matter how insignificant it might feel. God sees. And God is pleased.
