The Church in Rome

ROMANS 1:1, 7-12

THE church at Rome to which Paul wrote his epistle had vastly different characteristics than the Roman church of today. It was very small in number—probably not more than a hundred altogether. In the closing chapter of the epistle Paul mentions twenty-three of the brethren at Rome by name and sends his greetings to them, In mentioning these, however, he also in some instances refers to the group meeting in their homes, so there must have been many more than he identifies by name.

There is no definite information given in the Scriptures as to just how and by whose efforts the church at Rome was first organized. In Acts 2:10 we learn that at the time the Holy Spirit came upon the waiting disciples at Jerusalem there were “strangers of Rome” in the city who heard the Gospel as it was preached on that day. It is thought that probably some of these accepted Christ and became the nucleus of the Roman church, although this is not certain.

In Paul’s salutations to the church in Rome we learn that they held their meetings in the homes of various brethren, as was quite a general custom in those early days of Christianity. They were probably too few in number to do otherwise; and besides, in the unfriendly world of that time they attracted less attention in this way, hence were less liable to be apprehended by the authorities and imprisoned.

Paul had never visited the brethren at the time he wrote his epistle to them, but expressed his desire to see them; indeed, he said that he was praying that he might have a prosperous journey to Rome. Paul, of course, finally reached Rome, but as a prisoner. It is doubtful if during the first two years of his stay in Rome he was able to visit the brethren as a congregation, for he was constantly chained to a guard. Probably most, if not all of them visited him in his “hired house” in which he was imprisoned, and thus received the blessing of his personal ministry.

Judging from the nature of Paul’s salutations to the various brethren in Rome, a number of them must have been quite active in the ministry of the Gospel and had come in contact with the brethren in other places. Paul indicates that he knew a number of them personally. This, of course, was true of Aquila and Priscilla. Through these and other brethren of Rome who had traveled outside of Italy, good reports had been circulated. From these reports, Paul had judged the zeal and faithfulness of the brethren in this capital city of the empire. Realizing that their conceptions of Christ and the Gospel were akin to his own, he longed to see them and to enjoy their fellowship.

ACTS 28:14, 15, 30, 31

As Paul neared Rome on his long journey as a prisoner, they stopped at Puteoli, where they found brethren. He remained here for seven days, and then started on the last lap of the journey. The reports which had circulated concerning the brethren of Rome proved to be true. Their zeal and brotherly love were manifested by the fact that a number of them came to meet the apostle, although they knew he was coming to them as a prisoner.

They met Paul at a place identified in the Scriptures as the “Appii forum, and The three taverns”—believed to be points on the Appian Way. When Paul met these dear ones who had taken the trouble to come out from Rome to welcome him, “he thanked God, and took courage.” What a wonderful way this was for the Lord to give the apostle the strength and courage he needed for the trials ahead!

The way of the cross had been a most difficult one for Paul from the very time of his conversion. Through Ananias the Lord had informed him of the course of suffering which awaited him—suffering for the name of Christ and for the Gospel of Christ. Ever since he had been taken into custody at Jerusalem his experiences had been particularly trying. He was all the while a prisoner, yet he had continued to bear witness to the truth—to rulers, sailors, peasants, fellow prisoners, and all with whom he came in contact.

And now, still a prisoner, he had reached the outskirts of Rome. The future was obscure. Would he be held a prisoner? Would he be executed? Would he have the privilege of preaching the Gospel? An unknown experience was about to open to him. He knew it would be difficult, and that he would need the Lord’s sustaining grace. And what an outstanding evidence of the Lord’s care was manifested to him through these brethren who came to welcome him and assure him of their love. No wonder it is written that Paul “took courage.” May all of us be on the alert to be used by the Lord in helping to give courage to our brethren!

Although Paul continued to be held a prisoner, yet he was favored. He was permitted to dwell in his own hired house, and enjoyed full liberty to proclaim the Gospel to all who came to him, “no man forbidding him.” First, he sent for representative Jews of the city and witnessed to them. Doubtless the brethren also were frequent visitors. And from the account it appears that practically every day of that notable two years, visitors came to Paul’s hired house and heard him reason on the Scriptures and expound the Gospel of Christ.

QUESTIONS

About how large was the church at Rome at the time of Paul’s imprisonment there?

Who were probably the first believers in Rome?

Were the brethren at Rome zealous for the Lord and for the truth?

In what special way did they demonstrate their love for Paul?

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