The Apostle Paul authored the New Testament (NT) book of Romans. He wrote this book to those who were gathered as a community to help one another follow Jesus Christ. Many reasons exist as to why Paul wrote this letter, but chiefly he wanted to encourage the people to whom he was writing and to refresh them to the extent that they would, as it were, get wind in their sails and find new vigor to continue following Christ—or remember why they do.
In the final chapter as Paul, in the fashion of his time, was making his shout outs, we come across his words ‘[Prisca and Aquila] risked their necks for my life.’ In the NT book of Acts we are given some accounts of these two helpers of Paul’s but we are not entirely sure as to what Paul is specifically referring to here. We cannot, however, assume that this is some exaggeration by Paul as he embellishes some of his buddy’s work. Paul talks often of his own physical hardships—getting beat up, getting lost at sea, having physical ailments. So I think it is safe to conclude that these two were put or put themselves in legitimate, physical danger.
Why does Paul mention this? I believe he slyly inserts this mainly so we can be reminded of Jesus’ words that all who desire to follow him will have a rough time of it. When one follows Christ it is a joyful, hopeful road, but one with many robbers and murderers lurking. To follow Christ is to invite physical harm. This is not to discourage a Christian but to make him aware of the risks he is taking in making such a stance. It is easy to forget, especially for those living in the US of A, that it is normal for a believer in Christ Jesus to meet hard times—emotionally and physically. And therefore it is easy to forget that the same belief is worth the trouble it incurs.
Treasuring Christ above all else will make you feel that all else is always against you.
A missionary in Iraq during the time of the recent US invasion was killed, not because she was an American but specifically because she was a Christian. She had written a letter to her pastor back in the States only to be opened upon her death; the conclusion contained these words:
‘To obey was my objective
To suffer was expected
His glory, my reward.’
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