Workfellow

Romans 16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

This word workfellow was used almost exclusively by Paul in the New Testament. It gives us insight into Paul’s thinking concerning the methods he used to advance Christ's kingdom. This is a work culture word. What I mean by that is the use of this word gives us insight into the culture Paul created in the teams he worked with in ministry.

Some groups are authority centered in their work culture while others are task centered. Each group has a vocabulary that flows from their culture. Paul was definitely a task centered leader. Don’t get me wrong, it was clear that Paul had the authority of Christ, but that authority was directly related to the tasks Christ ordained him to fulfill. He built teams around tasks not himself. This is one of the reasons the work continued when he moved to another town.

Workfellow is a task centered word. The Language Scholar Thayer captured the full meaning of the term as used in this verse when he said, “one who labors with another in furthering the cause of Christ.” Someone can own a title, but without a meaningful task the title is worthless. The terms “my workfellow” have great complimentary value for task centered Christ followers.

Lord, please give me the heart of a workfellow in your kingdom. One who cares not what title I hold, but only what tasks our team can accomplish for you and your kingdom.