Mary: A Christian Woman in Rome
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Mary, a Christian woman mentioned in the New Testament, is noted for her significant role within the early Christian community in Rome. Her mention is brief yet impactful, highlighting her dedication and service to the early Church. The Apostle Paul references her in his epistle to the Romans, where he extends his greetings and acknowledges her contributions to the faith.

Biblical Reference:

Mary is mentioned in Romans 16:6, where Paul writes, "Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you" . This verse, though succinct, provides insight into her character and the esteem in which she was held by the early Christians. Her hard work is emphasized, suggesting that she was deeply involved in the ministry and support of the Church in Rome.

Role and Contributions:

Mary's role in the Roman church, as inferred from Paul's greeting, was one of labor and service. The term "worked very hard" implies that she was not merely a passive member but actively engaged in the life and mission of the Church. This dedication would have been crucial in a time when the Christian community faced external pressures and internal growth challenges.

Her work likely included various forms of ministry, such as hospitality, teaching, or providing for the needs of the community. Women in the early Church often played vital roles in these areas, supporting the apostles and other leaders in spreading the Gospel and nurturing new believers.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Mary's presence in Rome is significant given the city's status as the heart of the Roman Empire. The Christian community there was diverse and faced unique challenges, including persecution and the need for strong internal cohesion. Women like Mary would have been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and purpose among believers.

The mention of Mary in Paul's letter also reflects the broader role of women in the early Church. Despite the patriarchal society of the time, women were active participants in the Christian movement, contributing to its growth and stability. Their involvement is a testament to the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which transcended social and cultural barriers.

Theological Implications:

Mary's example serves as a reminder of the importance of service and dedication in the Christian life. Her hard work for the Church in Rome exemplifies the call to serve one another in love, as Paul writes elsewhere, "Serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:13). Her life and work underscore the value of every member's contribution to the body of Christ, regardless of gender or social status.

In recognizing Mary, Paul affirms the essential role of women in the ministry and mission of the Church. Her mention in the epistle to the Romans highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian communities, where men and women worked together to advance the Gospel and support one another in faith.
Nave's Topical Index
Romans 16:6
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women
... Spelling: (mar-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Mary, Miriam Definition: Mary, Miriam,
(a ... wife of Cleopas, (e) mother of John Mark, (f) a Christian woman in Rome. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3137.htm - 6k
Library

The Empress Eudoxia from the Story of Christian Womanhood in Old ...
... of living by reason." And from the days of Mary, the Mother of ... by nature to men and
women, says that the Christian life had extended woman's sphere beyond ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ix the empress eudoxia from.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... mother of Jesus, from among the poor; and Mary of Magdala ... of whom the Gospel designates
as "a woman who was ... as they were far from being Christian women, though ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1561-1564
... that she cannot return a true Christian woman," writes Randolph ... Unhappily Elizabeth
never would meet Mary, who, for all ... and to the Pope of her fidelity to Rome. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xv knox and queen.htm

Persis
... or, as Jesus Christ said about the other woman who was ... It was an apology for the
form of Mary's service, but ... from Persis the spring of all true Christian work? ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/persis.htm

Elucidations.
... the Great regards the woman as the Christian Church ... red dragon" (of verse 3), from
which the woman "fled into ... is transferred back to the mother of Mary, who is ...
/.../the banquet of the ten virgins or concerning chastity/elucidations.htm

The Persecutions.
... left her child with her family; Felicitas gave hers to a Christian woman to bring
up ... Lawrence, a young deacon at Rome, whom the judge commanded to produce the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxv the persecutions.htm

The Papal Definition of the Immaculate Conception of the virgin ...
... In Christian Remembrancer for Oct.1855; Jan.1866; July ... This mythical Mary is the
popular expression of ... She, the lovely, gentle, compassionate woman, stands in ...
/.../ 28 the papal definition.htm

Gherardi Sat for Two or Three Minutes in Absolute Silence. ...
... Rome would not do without the worship of woman in their ... so they cleverly substituted
the Virgin Mary for Venus ... became, and is still, merely a Christian form of ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxi gherardi sat for two.htm

The Story of the Angel by the Altar
... At the time when this story begins, the emperor at Rome was named ... The angel came
into the room where Mary was, and said to her: "Hail, woman favored by the ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the angel.htm

Mary at the Cross.
... this silence there sound the words, "Woman, behold thy ... Mary was commended to John
as the closest friend of ... in the forefront of this or that Christian work, but ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xx mary at the cross.htm

Resources
What is the Hail Mary that Catholics say so often? | GotQuestions.org

Is Mary the mother of God (Theotokos)? | GotQuestions.org

Did Mary have other children? How many children did Mary have? | GotQuestions.org

Mary: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Mary

Mary Magdalene

Mary the Mother of Jesus

Mary the Virgin

Mary Weeping

Mary: A Christian Woman in Rome

Mary: Assists in Preparing the Corpse of Jesus for Burial

Mary: Attends the Feast at Jerusalem With Her Husband and Her Son

Mary: Magdalene: Possessed of Devils, Delivered by Jesus

Mary: Magdalene: Present at the Crucifixion

Mary: Magdalene: Recognizes Jesus After the Resurrection

Mary: Mother of Mark and Sister of Barnabas

Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Anoints Jesus

Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Beloved of Jesus

Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Sits at Jesus' Feet for Instruction

Mary: Sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Wife of Cleophas

Mary: Sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Wife of Cleophas: A Witness of the Resurrection

Mary: Sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Wife of Cleophas: At the Gravesite of Jesus

Mary: Sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Wife of Cleophas: Mother of James and Joses

Mary: The Mother of Jesus

Mary: The Mother of Jesus is Committed to the Care of John

Mary: The Mother of Jesus is Present With Jesus at a Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee

Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Lives With the Disciples in Jerusalem

Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Present at the Cross

Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Prophecies Concerning

Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Seeks Jesus when he is Teaching in a House

Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Visits Her Cousin, Elisabeth

Related Terms

Mary's (2 Occurrences)

Magdalene (12 Occurrences)

Magdala (13 Occurrences)

Mag'dalene (11 Occurrences)

Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)

Joses (7 Occurrences)

Martha (12 Occurrences)

Immaculate

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Salome (2 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Grave (128 Occurrences)

Cleophas (1 Occurrence)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)

Lord (59401 Occurrences)

Week (18 Occurrences)

Magnificat

Beholding (45 Occurrences)

Salo'me (2 Occurrences)

Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)

Early (157 Occurrences)

Women (328 Occurrences)

Telling (89 Occurrences)

Tomb (70 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Rhoda (1 Occurrence)

Espoused (7 Occurrences)

Elisabeth (8 Occurrences)

Engaged (31 Occurrences)

Dry (217 Occurrences)

Married (152 Occurrences)

Mother's (102 Occurrences)

Perfumed (10 Occurrences)

Pledged (19 Occurrences)

Betrothed (19 Occurrences)

Babe (15 Occurrences)

Beheld (95 Occurrences)

Clopas (1 Occurrence)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Quickly (254 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Named (428 Occurrences)

Ill (137 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Zebedee's (2 Occurrences)

Zebedee (11 Occurrences)

Zeb'edee (11 Occurrences)

Zebedees (2 Occurrences)

Sitting (201 Occurrences)

Nativity (9 Occurrences)

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)

Opposite (137 Occurrences)

Over-against (156 Occurrences)

Joanna (3 Occurrences)

Johanna (1 Occurrence)

Juda (11 Occurrences)

Jo-an'na (1 Occurrence)

Less (93 Occurrences)

Late (24 Occurrences)

Laz'arus (16 Occurrences)

Wiped (25 Occurrences)

Watching (111 Occurrences)

Wipe (24 Occurrences)

Isn't (154 Occurrences)

Falling (233 Occurrences)

Firstbegotten (1 Occurrence)

First-begotten (2 Occurrences)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Thinking (58 Occurrences)

Related (45 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Mary, the wife of Clopas
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