“Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.” – Romans 16:9-10
Urbanus was likely a native Roman—a common Gentile name in the city—and Paul calls him “our helper,” someone who strengthened both Paul and the church in Rome. Then comes Stachys, whose name means “ear of corn.” Odd name, yes—but Paul doesn’t care about the strangeness of the name; he cares about the man. “My beloved,” he says again. Paul’s heart overflowed with affection for those who labored with him. He didn’t just remember their names—he remembered their love. These greetings remind us that the early church wasn’t built on titles, but on relationships shaped by grace.
Then Paul continues, “Greet Apelles, approved in Christ” (Romans 16:10, NKJV). What a commendation. The word dokimos means “tested and proven genuine.” Apelles had been through the fire and come out faithful. We don’t know his trials, but Paul did—and he honors him not for fame, but for faithfulness. Wouldn’t you want that said of you? Not “successful,” not “popular,” but “approved in Christ.” Paul then greets “those who are of the household of Aristobulus.” He doesn’t greet Aristobulus himself, which suggests he wasn’t a believer. But some in his household were—and the gospel had entered a divided home. Jesus said the gospel would sometimes divide families (Matthew 10:34–36), calling individuals to personal faith even when others reject it.
Historical scholars like Lightfoot suggest Aristobulus may have been the brother of Herod Agrippa I and grandson of Herod the Great. If so, when he died, his household would have been absorbed into the imperial household of Emperor Claudius. That means believers were living and serving within Caesar’s own palace. Think about that—the gospel had reached the highest halls of power. Slaves and servants in the emperor’s home were worshiping Jesus. That’s not just history—that’s hope. God’s Word is not bound. It reaches palaces and prisons, nobles and slaves, the known and the unknown. And every name in Romans 16 reminds us that God uses all kinds of people to advance His kingdom.
Serve faithfully wherever God has placed you. Whether you feel like Urbanus the helper, Stachys the beloved, Apelles the tested, or a believer in a divided home, God sees your labor. Your story matters. Your faithfulness matters. And the gospel can shine through your life in places you never imagined. Keep serving, keep loving, and keep trusting—God’s Word is never bound.
“The early Christians were tested by fire, but it was this very testing that proved the reality of their faith and the power of the gospel in their lives.”
—A.T. Robertson
surrendered devotions 