Romans 16:7 — Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Paul, the apostle to the gentiles. Perhaps the most influential Christian ever, with the exception of Jesus Himself. Paul, who had a pedigree as distinguished as most of those who opposed him. How does he recount it?

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:4-6)

He will travel the best part of 7000 miles, across most of Europe and Asia Minor, planting churches and building the greater church of Christ.
He has started to build out the the theology of Christianity, and by the time he’s finished he will have made a contribution that nobody coming after him will ever match, with this letter to the Romans being the glorious peak of his achievement.
For all his credentials, Paul was a very humble man. In this verse of Romans his humility shines out. Paul never forgets to send greetings to family, friends and acquaintances at the end of his letters. Here in his letter to Rome he mentions no fewer than twenty-four, of whom six are women. He make sure credit goes where credit is due.
Andronicus and Junias (probably a woman) are especially called out as having been Christians — in Christ — before Paul himself. “Salute these”, he says, “who were serving Christ before I was. Salute them who are prisoners, as I am. Salute them, who have played an important role in spreading the gospel.”
Paul knows his own importance, and he knows that he is surrounded and preceded, and will be succeeded, by others with an important part to play. He knows his place.
I have been working for more than thirty-five years in the software industry. As a writer and conference speaker, I have some reputation. I have been working for the same company for almost twenty years, and might sometimes have added some value.
May I confess something? Sometimes I get above myself. Somebody treats me inconsiderately, or puts somebody else ahead of me, or doesn’t ask my opinion about something … and I’m offended. Really! So I usually come to my senses pretty quickly, but I do forget my place. How about you?