Romans 15:14-33

Review/Introduction

We have heard how we’re supposed to act as Christians since Chapter 12.

We just learned the church is to ‘accept’ the weaker brother and sister as God has done well as ‘accepting’ one another as Christ did.

Now Paul begins the last section of his letter Romans 15:14-16:27 in which he’ll speak about the providence of God in his ministry

Paul's Ministry Plans

Romans 15:14–21 KJV

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 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, 16 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. 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 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, 19 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. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Romans 15:14 “14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

After telling them the correct way to treat the weak, he kinda says “but I figure you all knew that”. Tells them he knows they are filled with “goodness” ("kindness or generosity toward others) due to how well they understand what it is to be and live like a Christian and the way they are able to admonish (to counsel about avoidance or cessation of improper conduct) each other

Romans 15:15 “15 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,”

Nevertheless- if he’s so sure they have it figured out, then why is he writing all this?

Paul has written such a long letter, being pretty bold in some places, to remind them that what he’s told them, he does so because they share the same faith that Paul has.

Romans 15:16 “16 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.”

The reason Paul has the authority to teach and write boldly is his calling: Paul was called to be an apostle by Christ.

He was trusted to give and teach the Gospel to the Gentiles

Paul is painting the picture of himself as a priest, that by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he is responsible for offering Christians who take the place of animals in the OT sacrifices that are turned from unclean and sinful creatures to a "holy offering” fit to praise and worship God Almighty

Romans 15:17 “17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.”

Paul understands that’s a big claim on his part, but can only do so because of what Jesus has done in his life

Romans 15:18 “18 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,”

That’s what it means to glory through Christ. Paul is bragging on Jesus. Paul says he hasn’t done anything, it’s been all Jesus working through him!

That same grace will make the Gentile Christians act like Christians, becoming more like Jesus in the way they act and live

Romans 15:19 “19 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.”

The miracles Paul and the other apostles did (signs and wonders) were a confirmation by God they were sent by God, to all the places the Gospel has gone. Paul has done what he was called to do!

Romans 15:20 “20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:”

Paul is saying God sent him as a church planter, to the places there was no worship of Christ. He wasn’t called to come into churches already there and take away any of the authority of the “ministers” who were already shepherding there. He was called to plant, others were and would be called to water.

Romans 15:21 “21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”

Like he has the whole letter, Paul uses the OT as proof to them

Isaiah 52:15 “15 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.”

the “him” is Jesus

Looking Ahead: Jerusalem, Rome, and Spain

Romans 15:22–29 KJV

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 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. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 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. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Paul has intended to visit Rome, and kind of apologizes for not doing so sooner. But first he’s got to take the money, the other churches gave to help them, back to Jerusalem.

Speaking of money, Paul tells them he’s going to Spain. He’s dropping the hint that another of the reasons he wrote the letter was to secure the funding for evangelizing and church planting in Spain

Romans 15:22 “22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.”

Paul’s has been doing the work he has just told them Jesus called him to and that’s what’s kept him from visiting them.

Romans 15:23–24a “23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain...”

He’s finished with that part of the work and has wanted to come to Rome for a long time; so his intention is, that when he goes to Rome, to stop there

The canon of scripture God has confirmed doesn’t make clear if Paul made it to Spain, but 1 Clement seems to suggest that he did

Romans 15:24b “24 ...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.”

Paul will stop for fellowship and probably preach at a few meetings. While there, “you can help me spread the gospel in Spain by giving for the cause of Christ”

Romans 15:25–26 “25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”

But Paul can’t come yet. He has one more thing to do to serve the church in Jerusalem.

The gentile churches at Macedonia and Achaia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth) have given money to help the church at Jerusalem. This is a picture he gives the Jewish-Gentile mixed congregation of Gentile-Christians supporting the less well off Jewish-Christian brothers and sisters in Christ

“it pleased them”: Paul has not been shy about their duty to give, but it was optional between them and the Lord not part of the “law” that was necessary to be saved

Romans 15:27 “27 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.”

Nobody made or shamed them into giving. They did because out of the Jews came Jesus that saved them!

Because of the fact of their spiritual salvation that came “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”, they had a duty to donate to the earthly needs of the church at Jerusalem

Romans 15:28 “28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.”

Paul tells the Church at Rome when he’s completed the delivery, and ensured they understood what the gentile-Christians purpose in giving was, he will go to Spain and stop by on the way

Romans 15:29 “29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”

the blessings of Christ is the support delivered, the Jewish-Gentile bond strengthened, he’s sure Jesus will bless his trip to Rome

Pray Asks for Prayer

Romans 15:30–33 KJV

30 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; 31 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; 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul is desperate for the prayers of the Roman church; praying for safety and that the Jerusalem Christians will take the money. Not just saying a few words of prayer, but striving, or wrestling. That way he can by the will of God, come to Rome and get rested in fellowship for the work to be done in Spain

Conclusion

Paul is telling the church at Rome and us today that all the doctrine is vital and necessary for the whole truth of scripture to be preached and that his mission from God, like ours, is the spreading of the Gospel to the lost.

Paul is also telling them and us that we have a responsibility to give help for the lost and the church.

Physical help is money. We are called give part of our income and to start businesses and give money and services

Spiritual help by prayer is also a necessity we are commanded to be given by us

“The Greek word, used by Paul, for by the word strive, or contend, alludes to the difficulties by which he was oppressed, and by bidding them to assist in this contest, he shows how the godly ought to pray for their brethren, that they are to assume their person, as though they were placed in the same difficulties; and he also intimates the effect which they have; for he who commends his brother to the Lord, by taking to himself a part of his distress, do so far relieve him. And indeed if our strength is derived from prayer to God, we can in no better way confirm our brethren, than by praying to God for them.” -Calvin’s Commentary on Romans