Romans 16:9
“Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.”
What does Romans 16:9 mean?
Paul is giving personal greetings to people in the Roman church he apparently knew well, even though he hadn't yet visited Rome himself. Urbanus is called a "fellow worker," meaning he was actively involved in ministry alongside Paul, while Stachys receives the warm title "my beloved," suggesting a deep personal bond. These brief mentions remind us that behind Paul's theological letters were real friendships and communities of people laboring together in faith. It's a good reminder that church life, then and now, is ultimately about relationships and mutual encouragement, not just doctrine.