Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
Amplias
Was probably one of Paul’s converts.
I. “my beloved.”
1. As his own son in the gospel, or--
2. From special grace observed in him.
3. Warm attachment shown by him.
4. Eminent devotedness to the cause of Christ. Degrees of attachment consistent with Christian love. Of the twelve, Peter, James, and John most beloved (Matthew 17:1). Of these John especially beloved (John 13:23).
II. “in the Lord.” Beloved--
1. Not after the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16).
2. For Christ’s sake.
3. As a member of the same body of Christ. Those truly beloved who are beloved in the Lord. (T. Robinson, D.D.)
Amplias the beloved in the Lord
This description implies--
1. His true conversion.
2. His lovely character.
3. His happiness--loving and beloved.
4. His final salvation--beloved by God. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
The tomb of Amplias
The archaeological researches in Rome of recent years have thrown much light upon the life of the early Christians in that city; but no discovery has produced such interest as that just announced of the tomb of Amplias. Who was Amplias? Who were his friends? Why was he buried in this particular place? The answers to these questions are all furnished by the discovery of his tomb; and a flood of light is let in upon the times of the early Roman Christians. His tomb stands in one of the catacombs excavated in the time of Domitian, on the ground then belonging to Flavia Domitilla, his niece. Roman history preserves the fact that Flavia became a Christian. Amplias, the friend of Paul, must have been a distinguished man. Because he was buried in Flavia’s cemetery, we judge they were personally acquainted. By Paul’s greeting we imagine he was a minister of the New Word. Then the tomb is of such a character that only the possessor of great wealth could have constructed so remarkable a resting-place. Was this the work of Flavia, niece of the great Domitian? Was it erected at the cost of his family? or by the early Christians of Rome? These questions may be answered, for the investigations are not yet concluded. All that we know at present is that there is no tomb in the catacombs that equals it for the beauty of its adornments and the variety of pictorial illustrations. The frescoes in the Golden House of Nero, and the adornments of the house of Germanicus in the Palatine, are not to be compared, so it is reported, with the symbolic illustrations of the tomb of Amplias, the teacher of Flavia; the beloved of Paul. (Christian Commonwealth.)
Unknown Christians
Of Amplias and Stachys nothing is known except that they were “beloved in the Lord” by the apostle, the objects of his high Christian esteem and affection. The day is coming when it will be seen that to have been the friend of an apostle was really a higher honour than to be the favourite of a Roman emperor, and when the eulogiums of historians and poets, procured by a lavish expenditure of labour and suffering, would be gladly exchanged for the simple record that Paul loved them because they loved Christ. (J. Brown, D.D.)
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.--
Urbane and Stachys
I. Their names. “Citizen” and “Ear of Corn,” suggestive of--
1. Town and country.
(1) Urbanus may well represent a busy civic character, bringing all the qualities necessary for and exhibited in commercial and political life to the service of the Church. The modern Urbanus is the consecrated merchant or town councillor.
(2) Stachys may represent the Lady Bountiful of some rural district whose temperament, unfit for the bustle and fashion of the city, is exactly suited to the quiet work and influence of the village church.
2. Polish and simplicity.
(1) Urbane is a word that has become technical for refined manners, and we may imagine Urbanus combining business energy with gentlemanly deportment--two things which should never be separated certainly in church life.
(2) In Stachys we miss much of the polish and suavity of Urbanus, but there is a charm about her natural homely manners that renders her, in her sphere, no less useful.
II. Their place in history. Who they were no one knows: yet every one would like to know. No unenviable position. There are many whom we know well that we wish we knew nothing about. A stroke of the pen, however, has made them immortal. There were those then living who would have given thousands of gold and silver for a similar record in a book far less widely circulated than the Bible. Urbanus and Stachys are known through the wide world eighteen centuries after their death, and learned men are making researches if haply they may find their names on some tomb or in some contemporary record. Why this? Simply because of their relationship with Christ and His Church. So millions to-day whom no historian would think worth mentioning are in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and wilt be held forth for the admiration of a universe when many of the world’s greatest names shall have perished.
III. Their relationship to the apostle. Urbanus was “our helper.” Stachys was “my beloved.” The one sustained a general relationship to Paul and to others beside Paul: but the other sustained a special relationship to the apostle himself. We have all a circle of acquaintances wide enough to include a great many; but we have also an inner circle where few indeed move. The former belong to others as well as us; the latter to ourselves alone. And so in the Church. There are scores perhaps that may be depended on to do general work for the common good, but there are only a few whom the minister may count as his own, and upon whom he may depend for special work out of peculiar regard for himself.
IV. Their encomium.
1. Urbanus with his masculine qualities is an active helper. Useful in many a good word and work he is a man to admire. He makes his mark, is always in evidence, and men wonder how the Church would get on without him.
2. But Stachys is a woman to be loved. She can only pray, give the apostle many a quiet word of encouragement, and do such unobtrusive work as her nervous shrinking temperament will enable her to do. Here we have Martha and Mary, Peter and John over again.
Conclusion--
1. Let each do what he or she can, each in his own way in the Church.
2. Let each receive timely and fitting encouragement.
3. Let each be sure of an appropriate reward. (J. W. Burn.)
Every Christian worker shall be recognised
Christian workers shall be like the stars, in the fact that they have a light independent of each other. Look up at night, and see each world shows its distinct glory. It is not like the conflagration, in which you cannot tell where one flame stops and another begins. Neptune, Herschel, and Mercury are as distinct as if each one of them were the only star. So, our individualism will not be lost in heaven. A great multitude--yet each one as observable, as distinctly recognised, as greatly celebrated, as if in all the space from gate to gate, and from hill to hill, he were the only inhabitant. No mixing up; no mob; no indiscriminate rush. Each Christian worker standing out illustrious. All the story of earthly achievement adhering to each one. His self-denials, and pains, and services, and victories published. Before men went out to the last American war, the orators told them that they would all be remembered by their country, and their names be commemorated in poetry and in song. But go to the graveyard in Richmond, and you will find there six thousand graves, over each one of which is the inscription: “Unknown.” The world does not remember its heroes. But there will be no unrecognised Christian worker in heaven. (Great Thoughts.)
Apelles, approved in Christ.
Apelles
Was preferred, found to be genuine after trial. This is the meaning of the word in Romans 14:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:27. Consider
I.--the essential elements which compose so interesting a character. Unless we be “approved in Christ,” it is but of little consequence by whom else we are approved. Note here--
1. Sincerity of principle. The apostle prayed for the Philippians that they might be “sincere, and without offence,” i.e., pure, transparent. The idea is taken from holding up a substance to the light, to see if there be any flaw or defect in it.
(1) There must be sincerity as to the principles we adopt, and the state in which we are found before Christ our Saviour.
(2) This is most important to youth. Insincerity secretly corrupts, like a canker at the root of a tree, or a moth in a garment.
2. Self denial and fortitude in rendering those sacrifices and services which religion requires. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” It is recorded by the apostle, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” The young man whom Christ loved had one essential defect, he could not deny himself.
3. Stability, uniformity, and perseverance in the profession of religion.
(1) The goodness of some is “like the morning cloud and the early dew.” There is blossom, the flower expands--but the wind of temptation passes over, and all the beauty and vigour is gone. Under strong excitement of mind, they make a profession of religion, but that profession is not stable.
(2) There are many circumstances which tend to prove our stability--the reproaches of the world, afflictions, the falls of professors, etc. But why should these things shake you? Who was the most illustrious character the man of sorrows, who was crowned with thorns, or Caesar seated on his throne?
4. A temper and disposition of mind according with the gospel of Christ--humility, docility, moderation, devotion, benevolence.
II. Some considerations arising out of the notice we have taken of this character.
1. It is a far more truly amiable and admirable distinction than the most splendid qualities which may otherwise be attained. It is natural, especially to youth, to seek for splendid qualities. But what are these compared with religion? Suppose it had been said, “Salute Apelles, who is eloquent, rich, learned,” and so on--what would it all have been compared with this, “approved in Christ”? Let this make you content: covet not the riches and greatness of the world. There is not an individual in the world whom you need envy.
2. This character is attainable by every Christian, however humble his talent, and comparatively mean his circumstances.
3. If we be approved of Christ now, the day is coming when all will feel the value of this approbation. The day is coming when some will be disapproved. Notwithstanding all their pretensions, to some it will be said, “I never knew you, I never approved of you!” To others, who have been devoted to His service--who have walked in His ways, He will say before assembled worlds, “Come, ye blessed,” etc. (F.A. Cox, LL.D.)
Apelles was a tried Christian
I.e., one who has been tried and has stood the trial. “Tribulation,” says the apostle, “worketh patience,” i.e., perseverance, and this perseverance “worketh experience,” i.e., trial; it proves the individual; it is the test of the reality and strength of his faith, and if he abides the test he is an approved Christian. Many, alas! do not stand the test, and prove themselves “reprobates”--unapproved either of God or man. Tried Christians deserve to be honoured. (J. Brown, D.D.)