“Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches.” (vv. 3-4)

How do you know who your friends are?

Maybe you connected with them in community. Maybe something fun brought you together. Maybe you got to know them at church or as neighbors or even at your job.

There are a lot of ways to make friends.

But when do you discover they are really yours, really with you?

It’s when you labor together. It’s when you give together for something greater. It’s when, as you are called into greater sacrifices and greater service for the sake of the Gospel, they stick with you.

Paul, at the end of Romans, extends his greetings to so many friends. But these aren’t mere acquaintances who connected over potlucks: these are men and women who served with him, who strived with him, who sought to see the Good News of Christ advance—even at great risk—with him. His friends are marked by words such as “servant” and “coworker.”

Pay attention to your relationships, too. And be grateful: The ones who serve with you, for the sake of the Gospel, are the ones who will stick with you.

— Tyler