How can we emulate Mary's hard work mentioned in Romans 16:6 today? Mary’s Example of Sacrificial Labor Romans 16:6: “Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.” • Paul singles out Mary for “very hard” labor—an unusual commendation, especially in a chapter filled with faithful servants. • The Greek word kopiaō points to wearisome toil that leaves a person spent. Mary poured herself out for the Roman believers until it cost her energy, comfort, and time. Scripture’s Portrait of Diligent Service • 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” • Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” • Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” These passages echo Mary’s example—persistent, wholehearted, reward-focused labor for Christ and His people. Practical Ways to Imitate Mary’s Hard Work Today Serve the local church: • Offer consistent help with setup, cleanup, children’s classes, music, or hospitality. • Arrive early and stay late—not for recognition, but to lighten others’ loads. Invest in discipleship: • Meet younger believers for Bible reading, prayer, and accountability. • Open your home for small groups or a weekly meal; Mary likely hosted and refreshed saints. Engage the needy: • Volunteer at food pantries, crisis-pregnancy centers, or visitation ministries. • Couple material aid with clear gospel witness (James 2:15-17). Support gospel workers: • Commit to regular intercession for missionaries (Ephesians 6:18-20). • Give sacrificially so they can labor without financial distraction (Philippians 4:15-18). Work excellently in secular callings: • View your job as a divine assignment; pursue integrity and diligence that adorns the gospel (Titus 2:9-10). • Use breaks and relationships at work to share Christ naturally. Cultivate unseen intercession: • Labor in prayer as Epaphras did: “always wrestling for you in his prayers” (Colossians 4:12). • Set aside specific slots each week to pray for church leadership, struggling families, and global missions. Motivation and Heart Posture • Love for Christ: “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). • Gratitude for grace: Hard work is not earning favor but responding to unmerited mercy (Ephesians 2:8-10). • Eternal perspective: “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Guard against: • Burnout—rest is biblical (Mark 6:31). • Pride—credit belongs to God alone (1 Peter 4:11). • People-pleasing—serve “for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Staying Encouraged While You Labor • Remember you are “God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). • Celebrate small victories—each act of service advances the kingdom. • Keep fellowship with other diligent believers; “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). • Fix your hope on hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Mary’s name appears only once, but her tireless devotion still calls believers today to joyful, persistent, Christ-centered labor on behalf of His body. |
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