Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house.” Luke 10:5
Hippolytus of Rome gives us the oldest extant list of the 70 (Luke 10:1-7). Today’s post highlights his account of 31-40.
“41. Philologus, bishop of Sinope.
42. 43. Olympus and Rhodion were martyred in Rome.
44. Lucius, bishop of Laodicea in Syria.
45. Jason, bishop of Tarsus.
46. Sosipater, bishop of Iconium.
47. Tertius, bishop of Iconium.
48. Erastus, bishop of Panellas.
49. Quartus, bishop of Berytus.
50. Apollo, bishop of Caesarea.”
Hippolytus of Rome in On the End of the World, 49.
We find some of these names in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Almost certainly many of them ministered in Rome and at least two, Olympus and Rhodion were martyred there.
Paul describes Philologus as a “saint” in Romans 16:15. He refers to Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater as “kinsmen” in Romans 16:21. Erastus and Quartus are mentioned in Romans 16:23.
For today’s post, let’s zoom in on Tertius. Tertius is credited as the writer or scribe who helped Paul write the letter to the Romans in Romans 16:22. Think of him in modern times as Paul’s publisher.
He probably helped Paul for weeks or even months to build the complex argument of Romans. Then, imagine writing it down by hand on papyri. What a sacrifice, but think of the return!
I came to faith in Jesus from by following the Romans Road: Romans 3:23. Romans 5:8. Romans 6:23. Romans 10:9-10. Countless other people have become Christians too, in part, thanks to Tertius.
What gift do you have that you could put to work to advance God’s kingdom?