During Paul’s time, Rome was the center of the civilized world. Travel to and from the provinces usually began and ended in Rome. As a premier missionary of the burgeoning Church, Paul had ample opportunity to meet and befriend new converts from across the region.
Epaenetus is only mentioned once in the scriptures.
Yet, this is the man who launched the Church’s ministry into Asia. He was the Church’s first convert to Christianity in Asia Minor, Rome’s easternmost province.
Here’s what we know about Epaenetus:
1. His name translates as “praiseworthy.”
2. He is, by Paul’s own words, his close friend.
3. He is a new convert, the first from the initial missionary foray into Asia Minor.
4. He is the opening gambit into a cornucopia of God’s harvest in Asia.
5. He is well-known and an example of Christ’s faithfulness among the early Christian believers.
Romans 16:5 tells us:
“Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.”
Paul only writes one sentence about his friend, but his simple words, from a man whose verbose style could run to pages, tells us something.
Paul’s friendship with Epaenetus was firmly established among the believers. Paul could write a few words, and his readers would understand the much larger picture.
Praiseworthy. Close friend. Follower of Christ. The door to Asia, now opened and ready for a flood of believers. A person known and gladly accepted into the Christian fellowship.
In essence, a pillar of the early Church.
Let’s live so the very mention of our name is all people need to hear. Billy Graham. Mother Teresa. Thomas Beckett. Joan of Arc. William Tyndale. Martin Luther.
The Apostle Paul. His friend, Epaenetus.
When we live like Christ, people will know we are different from the world.
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Code: FGO.K.07.19b.vp.esv