Overview
Tertius? Who’s he? And Lucious, Jason, Sosipater, Gaius, Erastus, Quartus? Who are these people?
Lucious, Jason, asn Dosipater were relatives of Paul. Erastus was head of Rome’s public works department. Gaius was a local church member with the gift of hospitality. Quartus was simply a “brother” in the Lord. And Tertius? He was Paul’s secretary, the man who took dictation as Paul wrote this letter to the Romans.
But they’re all “unknowns” as far as we’re concerned. Paul, we know. Peter, we know. But Tertius? We tend to give these lesser lights short shrift.
Obviously we’re wrong. You and I are lesser lights; who’s ever heard of us? In the light of history we’re not only unknowns; we hardly even exist. Does that make us unimportant?
Have you ever seen your liver? Or your kidneys? Not likely! All you ever see of yourself is your outer appearance: Your skin, fade, torso, arms, and legs. Does that make your skeleton and organs unimportant?
The Bible refers to the Pauls, the Peters, and the Sosipaters as the “body of Christ”. Jesus is the head, we’re the body; He commands, we obey. Yet our role, behind the scenes though it may be, is vital.
There would be no Christian history if there weren’t a you and a me. We’re part of the story, part o the plan. And the message of Christ’s life and love would have no meaning whatsoever if it weren’t heard and acted upon by real people, big and little. Jesus came because He loved us: Us – you and me – the “unknowns” who make Him known.
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