What name would Paul give you?

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What name would Paul give you?

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Ever read the lists and lists of people whom the apostle Paul greets or describes at the conclusion of each of his letters? He often sends special greetings to many people, but perhaps more importantly, he often individually describes them and their service to God.

If Paul was writing a letter to your church, what would he call you?

Paul's list of names of the people at Rome has long been of interest. At the time he dictated the letter (the actual writer of Romans, or amanuensis/personal secretary, greets the congregation in Romans 16:22), Paul had not yet traveled to the storied capital of the empire. Yet he personally greets or salutes more than two dozen people! According to the brief phrases that he uses, Paul was obviously quite familiar with many members of the congregation at Rome. Their experiences were well known.

While several Church members are named and described, one Christian living in Rome stands out: Apelles. Apelles apparently was a fairly common name in Rome. According to some ancient accounts, Apelles was a name held by many Roman slaves. The Apelles whom Paul draws attention to is mentioned only once in the entire Bible.

We know nothing about Apelles. That is, except for one thing: Apelles apparently went through some major trial or test that was momentous enough that Paul himself was aware of it from thousands of miles away. Apelles had endured through such a substantial trial that Paul would write that Apelles was personally approved by Jesus Christ Himself!

Wouldn't you like to be described as "[insert your name here], personally tested and approved by Jesus Himself"?

The English translation of the King James Version sort of mutes the name that Paul gave Apelles.  In Romans 16:10, where Apelles receives his biblical mention, the King James simply breads: "Salute Apelles approved in Christ."

Other versions expand on that, unpacking the real meaning. The 1984 edition of the New International Version (NIV) amplifies this considerably. It reads: "Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ." The newer 2011 NIV edition translates verse 10 as: "Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test." The New Living Bible puts it this way: "Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves." (Emphasis added)

The Greek word translated "approved" or "tested" is an unusual word. Transliterated, the word is dokimos, which is more commonly used to describe sterling coinage of high merit or integrity. Applied to men, it incorporates a sense of high honor. Now couple that approved or "accepted" concept with Paul telling people in ancient times and today for us that Apelles was a man of high honor, whose behavior and commitment was so commendable that Paul would dare write that Apelles was approved by Jesus Himself!

What could Apelles have undergone that would have earned such high praise? The Bible is silent on the matter. But given the name Apelles, we can certainly entertain some conjecture. If Apelles was a slave (as many so named were), what would he have done when he found himself at odds with his master? Given the presence of Godfearers in Rome (people who read the Septuagint – the Greek translation of the Old Testament – and obeyed the biblical tenets they understood), it's plain that the church at Rome would have included many Sabbath keepers. Further, given the well-known traditions of the early 1st century church, it's likely many followed the biblical commands to keep and observe the Hebrew High Holy Days, including the annual eight-day Festival of Tabernacles.

Christians who were called in a state of physical slavery would have found a completely different set of trials and tribulations to endure. Many of those alive today in the 21st century would have an immediate difficulty comprehending the complexity of these trials. How would a slave ask for time off to keep the 7th day Sabbath and refrain from ordinary work? What about time to observe the annual Holy Days? The list goes on.

Again, we know nothing for sure about Apelles. We don't know what he achieved that would earn him such high praise. But we do know that the apostle Paul had very high regard for Apelles, who Paul powerfully described as being "approved and tested by Christ."

Would the apostle have the same regard for what you or I may have endured today?

By what name or phrase would Paul call you?