PAUL'S PLANS TO SEE THEM (14-33)

Introduction:

Last week we saw Paul’s concluding admonitions to strong brethren in chapter 15, verses 1-13. We will conclude chapter 15 this week with Paul’s plans to see them in verses 14-33, where Paul once again, emphasizes his ministry to the Gentiles, and by so doing, challenges them in there unity and faithful prayer and support.

Text: Romans 15:14-33

Romans 15:14–33 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

A. THE REASON FOR WRITING THEM (14-21)

1. He is well aware of their own abilities (14)

Seems to represent a progression:

full of goodness

full (mestos) - minds are as it were filled with thoughts and emotions

goodness (agathosune) - uprightness of heart and life, an upright mind produces an upright life

filled with all knowledge

filled (pleroo - [per, pas, par]) - to cause to abound,

Knowledge (gnosis) - knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding

able to instruct one another

able (dunamai) - to be capable, strong and powerful

Instruct (noutheteo) - to admonish, warn, exhort

2. Simply reminding them, as is appropriate from a "minister to the Gentiles" (15-16)

(15) But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God - Paul recognizes that all he is and has been commissioned to do is a result of the grace of God.

(16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. - Paul was appointed to this very office, for the purpose of, the Gentiles becoming an offering acceptable to God

3. Though he normally aims to preach where Christ has not been named (17-21)

he regarded it as his office to make known the name of the Savior where it was not before known

(21) "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.“ (Isa 52:15)

Isaiah 52:15 ESV

15 so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

B. HIS TRAVEL PLANS (22-29)

1. To go to Spain via Rome (22-24)

Paul had established churches and left them in the care of elders, (Ac 20:17) and was now prepared to penetrate into some new region, and lay the foundation of other churches

Paul planned to visit them on his way to Spain

Ancient Spain was composed of the modem kingdoms of Spain and Portugal (Spanish peninsula)

It was then subject to the Romans

Whether he ever fulfilled his purpose of visiting Spain is a matter of doubt

2. But first, to Jerusalem with a contribution from those in Macedonia and Achaia (25-29)

(27) For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. - shows the true definition of fellowship, sharing all things in common (Acts 2:42-47), both spiritual and physical blessings.

C. REQUEST FOR PRAYER, AND PRAYER FOR THEM (30-33)

1. His request for their prayers for his safe journeys (30-32)

(30) I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

to strive together (sunagonizomai) – lit.: “with agony” (contend in the gymnastic games) with me - shows that Paul, through commissioned by God for this tasks, understands the effort and unity of the body together in accomplishing his task.

denotes intense agony or effort, such as was used by the wrestlers in the Greek games; and then the agony, or strong effort, which a man makes in prayer, who is earnestly desirous to be heard.

(31) that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

delivered from the unbelievers in Judea

service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints

2. His prayer that God be with them (33)

May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. - God, the author or promoter of peace and union