Paul: A faithful missionary

The last two chapters in Romans are of a personal nature

What Paul Commends About His Brethren (15:14)

Their Goodness of Life (15:14)

To be a good man is to be the very best kind of man that can be.

Paul has already reminded the Romans that "for a good man some would even dare to die" (5:7), and now he says, "And I myself am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness" (v. 14a).

What a commendation!

not goodness merely of abstaining from evil.

This was practical goodness manifested in helpfulness to others, in bearing the burdens of the weaker brother.

Their Grasp of Truth (15:14)

The Roman Christians were diligent students.

Paul says that they were "filled with all knowledge" (v. 14b) and uses a word signifying knowledge gained by learning, effort or experience.

We are not told how they acquired their knowledge of New Testament truth.

No doubt Paul’s epistle would add to what they already knew, and put into concrete and permanent form some of the truths already imparted by inspired utterance.

Certainly Rome was strategically placed for the church there to be well informed as to what "the apostles’ doctrine" was, both as taught at Jerusalem (Acts 2:10, 42) and in the major Gentile centers of Christianity.

Paul commends their grasp of truth.

Just as the Roman church made itself familiar with the great doctrines of the faith, so all Christians need to master apostolic truth.

Their Gifts of Exhortation (15:14)

The church at Rome contained a number of gifted and well-qualified brethren eminently equipped to stir up the saints to their responsibilities.

Paul acknowledges that they were "able also to admonish one another" (v. 14c).

The tendency to settle down is natural and must be fought continually.

That is why the ministry of exhortation and admonishment is vital to Christianity.

maybe you have turned on cruise control in regards to your christian walk

There is a species of jellyfish which lives on a rock from which it never stirs.

It feeds on a kind of seaweed which grows in the decayed tissues of its own organism.

Hence, the jellyfish does not even have to go in search of food.

It has arrived at the ultimate in creature comfort.

But this jellyfish is one of the very lowest forms of animal life, the extreme comfort it enjoys being the badge of its degraded position.

The Christian must not settle down to a comfortable life.

The Christian life is a race to be run, a battle to be fought.

It calls for discipline, drive and determination.

Hence, the need for exhortation.

we need friends, family, pastors all around us exhorting us to press forward

What Paul Communicates to His Brethren (15:15-29)

Few if any can speak with such authority about world missions as Paul.

The verses that follow are Paul’s explanation from his perspective what he has been up to and what he is planning on doing in the future.

Paul’s Underlying Viewpoint of Missions (15:15-21)

He begins by explaining his own responsibility before the Lord.

He speaks of (1) the responsibility that has been given to him.

Romans 15:15–16 KJV 1900

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Paul was called to minister to the Gentiles and he regarded his ministry in a most remarkable light.

He viewed himself as a spiritual priest to the Gentiles.

His great function was not to offer up sacrifices for the Gentiles; that had already been done at Calvary.

The sacrifice he offered as a priest was the Gentiles themselves, and that sacrifice was acceptable to God because it was sanctified and made holy by the Holy Spirit.

This is a most exalted view of the responsibility which had been accorded to him.

God had called him and he had obeyed.

He had dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the task before him.

His greatest joy was to see Gentiles saved and then "offered up" as a living sacrifice to God.

Paul next speaks of (2) his accomplishments

Paul was not a boastful man.

Philippians 3:4–8 KJV 1900

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, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

In fact, he could say, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14).

He also was not afflicted with a self-depreciating false modesty.

He speaks freely and frankly about what has been wrought through his missionary zeal the grace of God

He realized that there were undeniable limits to his ministry.

Romans 15:17–18 (KJV 1900)

I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Paul’s glorying was not in self but in the Lord.

He had much about which he could speak.

A long trail of converts and churches marked the lines of his ministry.

Telling the story to the glory of God of what God had wrought through him would keep him busy enough.

He had no need nor desire to trespass on other people’s labors in order to pad out his report or to make it more interesting and impressive.

He knew others were working among the Gentiles besides himself.

Let them tell their own story; he would tell his.

He would recount only what God had been pleased to accomplish through him, realizing at the same time that his was only a part of the story of world evangelism then going forward.

Missionaries telling of their work should emulate Paul in this.

We like to take credit for other people’s achievements or thoughts

He next explains his complete dependence on God

Romans 15:19 KJV 1900

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

His complete dependence on God resulted in spiritual power.

Everywhere Paul went he saw results.

Even at Athens where they scoffed at his message there were some saved.

He had many hindrances, obstacles and enemies

There were times when he was down in the dumps and unsure.

But with it all, there was victory and revival.

Coupled with his dependence on God was a clear understanding of what his objectives should be as a missionary.

Romans 15:20–21 KJV 1900

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Paul knew exactly what his basic objective was—the unreached!

Why go and poach on someone else’s field of labor?

The field is vast; it is the world; it is the regions beyond.

He was obsessed by the vision he had of the "untold millions still untold."

It was that which governed his missionary planning.

He quotes Isaiah 52:15 as if it is his missionary slogan or mottow

Isaiah 52:15 KJV 1900

So shall he sprinkle many nations; The kings shall shut their mouths at him: For that which had not been told them shall they see; And that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Paul’s Undying Vision of Missions (15:22-29)

Paul never rested on his oars, never sat back to rest.

Time was too short, the task too great, the laborers too few, the issues too grave.

He saw a lost world, a world which in his day was focused on Rome.

And although it was no part of his plan to reside at Rome, it was part of his plan to reach Rome.

He speaks of (1) his desire to see Rome.

He has mentioned this already in his introduction to the epistle, but he comes back to it again.

Romans 15:22 KJV 1900

For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

So far he has been too busy in reaching the unreached to fit a visit to Rome into his plans.

He has put Rome on his itinerary again and again only to have it blocked out by more pressing interests.

Again and again the Holy Spirit postponed those plans until His time was ripe and then He sent Paul there, not as a pioneer but as a prisoner that God might be glorified in his chains and so that Paul, the undaunted, might be a challenge to saved and sinner alike.

"But now," he says, "having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you..." (v. 23).

At last the coast seemed clear and Rome could again be placed on his itinerary, not at the top indeed, but on it nevertheless.

Next he speaks of (2) his determination to see Rome.

He explains three things about this determination.

First, where it fits into his plans.

Romans 15:24 KJV 1900

Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

He must see Rome, but he must see Spain even more, and Rome could be a convenient posting house on his way.

The fact that there were many Jews in Spain probably added incentive to Paul’s plans.

He would not be able to stay in Rome too long, but at least he would be able to have some fellowship with the believers there.

Paul then tells when this fits into his plans.

He has a prior trip eastward before the proposed trip westward.

Romans 15:25–28 KJV 1900

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

We don’t see this too often anymore.

These new young churches were not seeking money and financial help per se from the more established church in Jerusalem.

In fact, they were sending money to help the poor saints in Jerusalem

Pastor Paul’s missionaries…Grants Pass and Eagle Point

Paul mentioned these new churches in Gentile lands recognized their spiritual debt to the saints who sent them the gospel and send money to them to relieve their poor!

Soon he would be on his way to Jerusalem to partake in the Passover festivities and then—on to Spain via Rome, or so he planned!

Finally Paul tells why the trip to Rome fits into his plans.

Romans 15:29 KJV 1900

And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

What Paul Commits to His Brethren (15:30-33)

Before closing, Paul wanted to show the brethren in Rome how they could become partners with him in the great task of evangelizing the world for Christ.

They could have a double share in the work.

A Share in the Battle (15:30-32)

It is part of the genius of Christianity that any believer can become a warrior in the battle at any time and in any place and make his influence count to the ends of the earth and high in heavenly places, simply by engaging in prayer.

By praying for missionaries a believer can place himself in a canoe in the Amazon, in an igloo in the Arctic, in a tent in the Sahara, in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean, in a plane high in the stratosphere.

He can ward off from the missionary dangers in the jungle, diseases in the city slum, disasters on the deep.

He can arm the missionary’s witness with supernatural power, lift him from the slough of despond, route the unseen foes that lurk in the spirit world and strengthen his hand in God. By praying in the Spirit, the exercised believer can conquer time and space and have a share in the battle.

Paul suggested to his friends in Rome that they (1) pray intentionally for him.

Romans 15:30 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

He wanted them to definitely and deliberately add him to their prayer lists and make it a special point to pray for him.

Missionaries constantly urge people to pray for them.

It must be intentional

It is not something we tend to do naturally.

Then Paul asked the Romans to (2) pray for three things specifically for him.

Romans 15:31–32 KJV 1900

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Paul believed in being specific in prayer.

He wanted them to pray intelligently concerning his safety, his service, and his steps

It is evident that Paul was aware of the dangers which awaited him at Jerusalem.

The unbelieving Jews were thirsting for his blood and he knew it.

The believing Jews were standoffish toward his views on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity and he could not be sure how even they would receive him.

He did not want the dangers at Jerusalem to spoil his plans for coming to Rome.

We know from the book of Acts how God allowed the perils to mount until finally Paul was arrested at Jerusalem.

But then God overruled and used that very captivity as a means for bringing Paul to Rome as "an ambassador in bonds."

Thus, all these prayer requests were answered, perhaps not in the way Paul had expected, but answered just the same.

A Share in the Blessings (15:33)

Those who share the battles shall share the blessings.

Paul closed the epistle proper with the words, "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen" (v. 33).

He breathed his blessing on the church.

He was setting his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem.

He was facing danger, battle, hatred and arrest.

He could face the journey calmly, unruffled, in perfect peace because he knew "the God of peace."

This, perhaps the greatest of all blessings, a sense of calm in times of storm, Paul bequeathed on the saints of Rome.

Peace! perfect peace! Our future all unknown?

Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.