Have you ever heard of Tertius? No? Don't feel bad. He is not well known, though he plays a major role in scripture. He wrote the epistle to the Romans. What? You thought the Apostle Paul wrote Romans, didn't you? After all, it is probably his most famous epistle. Romans 10: 9-10 is quoted as much as John 3:16. But what does this have to do with Tertius? The answer is that he penned down the words of Paul.
Romans 16: 22 - I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
The word of Romans come from Paul's mind and heart, no doubt. He is clearly identified as the author in the first lines of the book. Those of us who believe in the Holy Inspiration of scripture also understand that these were not really Paul's words, though we can see Paul's personality come through. These are the words the Holy Spirit spoke through the Great Apostle Paul, the apostle to the gentiles. And what important words they are!
What would the message of Christianity be like without the message of Romans 10? All who call on the name of the Lord, both Jew and Greek can be saved (Romans 10:12).
How many discouraged Christians have taken courage from Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good to them who love God!
And what about Paul's famous soliloquy on the wretched man in Romans 7? Surely we have all felt this way!
Yes, Romans is an important book for the New Testament Christian. Many of us would probably say it is our favorite book of the New Testament, for various reasons. I submit the thought to you today that we wouldn't have the book of Romans if not for a man named Tertius. For whatever reason, Paul needed help to pen down his letters. Some say that Paul was blind. Whether for this reason or some other, Tertius filled the role of Paul's scribe.
Surely, someone else could have filled this role, you might think. Can I offer you my personal opinion? I have come to believe that God chose the writers of scripture for their uniqueness. Inspiration of the Holy Ghost does not mean that the writers became robots. I believe it means that God moved on men who were sensitive to his will to write what he said to write. But because we are all human, he knew their thoughts would take a certain form. This does not damage the infallibility of scripture. It simply means that God allowed men to take part in his plan. From the way Tertius signs the letter, it is evident that he was an important part of this epistle. In what way, we can't be sure. He may have simply wrote everything Paul spoke verbatim. He may have taken notes, composed the letter, and then mailed it. Regardless, we know that a man named Tertius helped to compose one of the greatest letters of all time. Surely, his own writing style helped to shape the letter.
Tertius wasn't an apostle; at least the scripture doesn't call him one. Tertius is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture. There are no Biblical tales of Tertius healing the sick or raising the dead. He may not have even been a preacher. He seems to be insignificant. There was no way Tertius could have known that the words he penned would be read in every Christian church down through the centuries. He could not have known that Sunday school children would memorize these words or that scholars and theologians would debate them. Perhaps he thought that he was simply penning a private letter from a pastor to his congregation. I don't think even Paul realized the impact that his letters would have on the world. Yet the fact remains; Tertius helped Paul to spread the gospel around the world.
Are you feeling insignificant? Do you feel like nothing you do makes any difference? Perhaps you are keeping company with a man named Tertius? Your work may be much more important that you realize. Everyone matters in God's kingdom. Be encouraged!Only eternity will reveal the rewards.
Blessings,
Spanish Pastor Jones