"Motivation" (Part 3)

Romans 1:1-7

What is Paul motivated by?

For living

For writing

Paul is motivated by three main factors seen here in Romans 1:1-7...

His Master (v. 1)

His Message (vv. 2-4)

His Mission (vv. 5-7)

Today we examine the third and final factor.

His Mission (vv. 5-7)

We - Paul is probably referring to himself and the other Apostles. He was not a rogue agent. He was on a team. He wasn’t alone. It was not all about him.

Grace - unmerited favor. The root of the word carries with it the concept of joy. So it is the joyful benefits and blessings from God which are undeserved.

Generally - Paul’s personal salvation and all that goes with it…BUT LIKELY...

Specifically - for his job or role (Romans 15:15–16).

Romans 15:15–16 ESV

But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 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.

Apostleship

So he received grace generally and apostleship specifically, but...

Also, he received his apostleship by grace (Galatians 1:15–16; Ephesians 3:7–8).

Galatians 1:15–16 ESV

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

Ephesians 3:7–8 ESV

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

And, he received the enabling to accomplish his apostleship by grace.

He didn’t deserve anything (1 Corinthians 15:10).

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

We also can live BECAUSE OF and BY God’s grace (Romans 12:3; Romans 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10).

Romans 12:3 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 12:6 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

So Paul here brings us back to the purpose/point of his apostleship (v. 1).

Apostle (v. 1) with a message (vv. 2-4)

Apostleship (v. 5a) for a mission (v. 5b-7)

What is Paul’s Mission?

Mission - goal or purpose to accomplish

Stated in 4 Parts:

The Desired Result (v. 5)

The Potential Recipients (v. 5)

The Ultimate Goal (v. 5)

The Personal/Individual Benefits (v. 6-7, NEXT WEEK)

What is the desired result?

“To bring about...” (v. 5) - to what end?

Obedience of faith

Because of the case of the word “faith” (genitive noun) in the original, it functions as a modifier of source for the word “obedience” (accusative noun) in the original.

Faith is the source of obedience. Obedience comes from faith.

The NIV has it right...“the obedience that comes from faith.”

Faith and obedience are not identical, but they are inseparable.

Genuine faith alone saves, but genuine faith will never be alone (James 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”)

This is what Paul wanted to see in others (1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4).

1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Thessalonian church was an example of Paul’s desired results.

Their faith was manifested in obvious ways…in obedience that comes from faith.

This is the practical result that Paul was striving for.

Not just any obedience, because it wasn’t really about the obedience.

It was about the faith, but how else could he see faith?

This reminds us of the correlation between faith and works/obedience.

No obedience = no faith

Weak obedience = weak faith

The need for growth in obedience = the need for growth in faith

*Question #1: What is the desired result? Answer: Obedience of faith.

Who are the potential recipients?

“Among...” (v. 5)

I’m following the order of the Greek not your English translation.

All the nations

The word ethnos is more frequently translated “Gentiles,” and is used to designate non-Jews.

Here “nations” is appropriate because of the addition of “all the” - Gentiles everywhere, of all nationalities

This is one of several indicators in the letter that the Church at Rome was predominantly Gentiles at this time (vv. 6-7, 13).

Plus we are reminded that Paul’s apostleship was predominantly to Gentiles, and God used Paul to expand the proclamation of the Gospel to more and more Gentile regions.

Which highlights God’s plan to included all nations in His plan of redemption (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:7–8; Isaiah 2:2).

Genesis 12:3 ESV

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Galatians 3:7–8 ESV

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Isaiah 2:2 ESV

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,

The Gospel is not exclusive or biased, so neither was Paul.

Here a Jew, Paul, sees all the world as potential recipients of the Gospel.

We should see all people/unbelievers as potential recipients of the Gospel no matter who they are. If we truly understand the Gospel and the grace at the core of the Gospel, then we must believe that anyone could be saved (v. 16, from our perspective, which should be remembered when we talk later about the called of God).

**Question #2: Who are the potential recipients? Answer: All the nations.

What is the ultimate goal?

WHY? Why did Paul work for this desired result? Why did Paul go to these potential recipients?

Especially since He did not always see the results…he and his message was not always received. Had he failed in these cases?

No, because there was an ultimate goal that he was striving for.

“For the sake of...” (v. 5)

His name

Who’s name? Jesus Christ our Lord (end of v. 4)

Name - Who He is, His identity, His character, His reputation, His words, His works, what He can be know for, as He should be know

This is a way of Paul saying that in the end it was all about promoting Christ, which is what he did no matter how he was received (1 Corinthians 2:2).

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

How is this done? By speaking about Him (who He is and what He means), by following His example, by promoting His teaching.

This is Who it is about. This is Who should ultimately be exalted/glorified (1 Peter 4:11).

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

***Question #3: What is the ultimate goal? Answer: His name

What are the personal benefits?

That is, the personal benefits of the individual recipient (vv. 6-7).

NEXT WEEK if the Lord wills.

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”