“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 15:14-33

Paul’s Exhortation to Serve and Honor, Part III

In this personal hortatory section, Paul demonstrated his deep-seated concern for these Roman believers, being convinced that they were “full of goodness, filled with knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (v. 14).  In other words, Paul viewed these Roman Christians as being spiritually aware and spiritually mature.  Paul went on to explain why he wrote to them with such boldness, for verse 15 says – “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” (v. 15).

In his awesome position as a minister to these Gentiles, Paul was involved in the proclaiming of the gospel of God (v. 16).  Because Paul shared the good news with these Gentile believers, they became an offering acceptable to God, having been set aside by the Holy Spirit.  In the wonderful achievement of presenting the gospel of God’s grace to these Roman Christians, Paul would not boast, but clearly explained that God should receive the credit, for verses 17 through 18 state – “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 had a special and peculiar ministry as the apostle to the Gentiles and Paul was not going to take credit for any success he had with them.  Again, Paul was fully aware that his special ministry by God’s grace to the Gentiles was because of God, for he would take no credit at all!  Paul had been used by God to perform signs and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 19a).  Being used by God, Paul preached the gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum (v. 19b).  Illyricum was a Roman province next to Italy.

In verses 20 and 21, Paul declared that he ministered where the gospel had not previously gone.  Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel in an area where the gospel had not gone; however, many obstacles were placed in his way (v. 22).  In verses 23 and 24, Paul had an intense desire to see the Roman Christians, having already at the outset of this epistle revealed his desire (Romans 1:10-11, 13).  Having announced his future plans in verses 23 and 24, Paul revealed his immediate plans to visit Jerusalem, delivering the financial offering for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem (vs. 25-26).  Notice that the Gentiles had received the gospel from Israel; now, the Gentile churches were helping the saints in Jerusalem by sending the financial gift (v. 27).  Paul closed this section with his desire to visit the Romans after going to Jerusalem and to request for intercessory prayer (vs. 28-33).

May God Bless!