January 7

"Salute my well-beloved Epenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ." Romans 16:5.

PAUL here remembers many, and speaks of them all with affection, but he salutes Epenetus as his well-beloved. We are not bound to love all in the same manner, or in the same degree.

The apostle calls this convert, "fruits unto Christ," not unto himself. Yet he had been the means of bringing him to the knowledge of the truth. But Paul knew that he had not redeemed him, justified him, called him by his grace. And as to his conversion, he had only been the instrument, the Lord working with him, and confirming his word with signs following. In another place he says, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" If converted sinners are the seal and reward and glory and joy of the preacher, they are infinitely more so of the Saviour himself. He sees in them his agency, his image, the travail of his soul, the recompense of his sufferings. As the author of it, he will enjoy their blessedness, and receive their praises for ever.

Epenetus is here said to be the "first-fruits unto Christ in Achaia." Yet Paul says to the Corinthians, "Ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia." The apparent difficulty is easily solved by the fact, that the house of Stephanas was the first family that was converted, but that Epenetus was the first convert in the family. Christians at first were few in number, and driven together by persecution. They were therefore well known to each other and to their ministers. They were marked characters. The conversion of a man to Christianity in a heathen place, must have been peculiarly observable. It was the production of "a new creature," which would of course be greatly wondered at. It was displaying the "heavenly" where all was "earthly and sensual and devilish" before. And we see it was worthy of attention. Earthly minds are most interested by the events of this life, by the policy of statesmen, the exploits of heroes, the discoveries of philosophers; but what Paul noticed in Achaia, was the first man that was called there out of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. He knew that the conversion of one soul far transcended in importance the deliverance of a whole kingdom from civil bondage. Kingdoms will soon be no more, but such a soul will shine a monument of grace and glory for ever and ever. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

How long Epenetus in the place and in the family stood alone as a professed Christian, we know not; but it is no uncommon thing for an individual to be similarly situated. We have often seen single converts seeking and serving Christ, as the first-fruits of the neighborhood or the household wherein they lived. The way in which, and the means by which these persons are brought forward before others, would, if stated, be found to be very various, and often remarkable. Hearing the gospel while from home, visiting in a family where the worship of God is maintained, meeting with a good book, receiving a letter from a friend, a conversation with a stranger, an affliction that made the heart bleed, and laid bare the prospects of life—where shall we end? "Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living." For though the incidents upon which this mighty event hinged seemed perfectly casual, they were all arranged by his own purpose and grace.

And the circumstances in which these first converts are placed are interesting. They are a post of trial. Sometimes the trial is very severe. They have to take up their cross daily, and hourly too, and a cross too heavy to be borne without divine aid. Little do many who have been religiously brought up, and whose relations and friends, if not decidedly pious, are not hostile—little do they know what some have to endure, especially at the commencement of their religious course; when, instead of assistance and countenance, so much needed, they meet with neglect and opposition, and sneers and reproach, from all around them, and from all that are dear to them.

They are also in a post of duty. They are required to be not only harmless and blameless, but most exemplary in their language, temper, and conduct. The reason is, that they will attract peculiar notice. Every thing they do will be canvassed by a shrewdness sharpened by enmity, and ready to magnify every failing. They will be judged by their profession, and their religion will be judged by them. And they are to put gainsayers to silence, and constrain them by their good works which they behold to glorify God in the day of visitation. They are to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, and by walking in wisdom to win those that are without. They are not to repulse by rudeness, or chill by disdain. They are never to betray a feeling that says, Stand by thyself; come not near to me; I am holier than thou. They are not, by stiffness and affectations in little and lawful things, to lead people to suppose that their religion is made up of oddities and perversenesses. Yet, in things of unquestionable obligation and real importance, they must be firm and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for not only will conscience require this, in the testimony they are always to bear for God, but such consistency alone will enthrone them in the convictions and esteem of others.

For they are also in a post of honor. They have a peculiar opportunity of showing their principles. Later converts may be equally conscientious, but these coming after, when they have the sanction and cooperation of others, cannot so obviously appear to be on the Lord's side, nor so fully evince the purity and power of their motives, as those who come forward alone, and say to all others, however numerous, however influential, however endeared, Choose you this day whom you will serve; but as for me, I will serve the Lord. They have therefore the privilege of taking the lead, and of being examples instead of followers. And they may be, and are likely to be, the means of prevailing upon others. We have seldom seen an instance of failure. The effect has not always immediately appeared; but where they have been enabled to walk worthy of God unto all pleasing, after a while they have no longer gone alone to the cross of Christ, to the throne of grace, to the house of God, but in company, in company even with those who once stood aloof, or before even opposed. And "he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."