Unexpected Family 7/31/2024

Have you ever thought of Paul and imagined that he must have been a lonely man? There is a good chance that when he became a follower of Christ, his family abandoned him. In addition, there is no mention of a wife or children, and he tells us in 1 Cor. 7:7-8 that he was unmarried, which suggest that either he never married or was a widower. Not only did Paul spend much of his years imprisoned, but he had no family, no wife, no children. Yet, when you read Romans 16, it is clear that Paul was far from alone. He had an unexpected family, willing to risk their lives for his. In a world where blood ties can falter, serving God opens the door to an unexpected family within the church, a diverse community united by faith and purpose. Romans 16:1-16 is often overlooked as merely a list of names, but it provides a snapshot of the early church's vibrant, multicultural family. Paul commends Phoebe and greets 28 individuals and several groups, highlighting their service and unity in Christ. This passage shows how God builds a family not based on biology, but on shared devotion to Him. When we serve God, He surrounds us with brothers and sisters from all walks of life, fulfilling our need for belonging. Through serving God, w