Romans 15:14-33 – Paul Ministers to Gentiles

Romans 15:14-16 – Paul’s Reason for Writing

Paul is convinced that the Christians in Rome are full of goodness, knowledge, and are competent to minister to one another.  He has written boldly to them because God has appointed him to be a priest to the Gentiles so they might become an offering acceptable to God sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:14-16)

Paul writes to them to encourage them.  He has always been an encourager.  He is writing to them because they are morally good people and have basic biblical understanding.  When Paul says they are full of goodness and knowledge, he doesn’t mean they are sinless or qualified as seminary graduates.  He means they have good will toward God and others.  He means that they are ready to be used effectively by God.  He wrote to them to remind them of God’s truths. 

Sometimes we become comfortable and get busy with our lives that we need to be reminded from time to time to what Jesus has done for us on the cross.  We need to be reminded of the fundamentals of our faith.  We need to be reminded what our responsibilities are as Christians. 

How will you encourage someone today?

Paul was aware of his purpose – to take the gospel to all the Gentiles.  Paul calls himself a priest.  All believers are members of a kingdom of priests and have the duty and privilege to share the gospel with everyone. 

Are you aware of your calling?

It’s the believer’s responsibility to care for one another by meeting needs one might have.  It might be providing food, shelter, and even spiritual help.  Usually it’s the pastor or elders who get involved when someone is drifting away, but it’s every believer’s responsibility to try to restore him.  You are your brother’s keeper.  If you’re a believer, you’re in the ministry.  However, to minister effectively you must apply biblical truth in your own walk with Jesus.

Principle:  If you are a believer, you are in the ministry.

What is keeping you from viewing yourself as a minister of Christ?

Romans 15:17-22 – Paul’s Reasons for His Absence

Paul goes on to say that he considers it a great honor to be used by God in bringing the Gentiles into God’s kingdom.  The Holy Spirit gave Paul the power to do signs and miracles showing he was a genuine apostle.  (Rom. 15:17-19) 

The Bible tells us that Paul did signs and miracles.  Examples of some of Paul’s miracles are found in Acts 14:8-10 and Acts 19:11-12.  Should we expect sign and wonders today?  God is the Almighty Creator and He can do miracles anytime He wants.  He has no limits so we shouldn’t limit Him.  We should believe that He is able.  We may not see the big miracles as we do in the Bible, but we can see miracles daily.  They may not be as obvious as we would like, but they are happening all around us.

Paul wanted to preach the gospel where the gospel was unknown so he wouldn’t be building on someone else’s foundation.  He didn’t want to continue work others had started.  He based his philosophy on Isaiah 52:15.  He saw his ministry as part of fulfilling the Old Testament prediction about the Gentiles coming to understand the good news of Christ.  (Rom. 15:20-21) 

In Rom. 1:13 Paul said he wanted to visit Rome many times, but wasn’t able and at that time he didn’t explain the reasons.  Now he explains it.  Paul didn’t want to interrupt anyone else’s work.  He wanted to lay a good foundation like a builder who lays a foundation for a building.  He wanted to preach to those who had never heard the gospel. 

What is keeping you from telling someone about the gospel?

Where is God asking you to serve?

As Christians we should always affirm the ministries of others while using our gifts as we serve.  We should also give God the glory offering our ministry as an act of worship.  We should be more like Paul and not hesitate to be bold in challenging others reminding them what they already know.

Principle:  Christians should affirm the ministries of others while using their gifts to serve.

Romans 23-29 – Paul’s Plan

Again Paul in hindered from visiting Rome because of his calling.  He must go somewhere the gospel has not yet been proclaimed.  His sights are on Spain and his plans are to stop by Rome on his way, but first he has to go to Jerusalem.  Macedonia and Achaia took up a contribution for the poor believers there in Jerusalem.  They were happy to do it and it was also their duty.  The Gentiles shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, so they owed it to them to share their material blessings.  (Rom. 23-29)

Paul was convinced it was not God’s will to visit Rome until he had completed his mission of dropping off the collected contributions to those in Jerusalem.  He didn’t let his desire to go to Rome keep him from his calling.

Are you convinced of your calling?

Do you let your desires interfere with your calling?

Principle:  Submit to God’s will and not your own desires.

I see two lessons here.  One of obeying God’s calling instead of our own desires.  The other is sharing with those who are in need.  The poor may need food, clothing, money, housing or they may need you time to show they are important and not forgotten.  We are to share our blessings with others to relieve their poverty.

How are you sharing with the poor?

Romans 30-33 – Paul’s Request

Paul urges the Christians in Rome to pray for him.  He wants prayer that he be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that his service in Jerusalem be acceptable.  Then by God’s will he can come to Rome with joy and be refreshed with them. (Rom. 30-33)

Paul may have already been warned about the dangers ahead in Jerusalem, but that didn’t stop him from doing God’s will.  Paul prayed for the Christians in Rome and now he is asking them to return the favor.  By praying they are actually participating with him in his ministry.  We may not be able to be missionaries and go to a far off country, but we can still join in the ministry of others by praying and supporting them financially.

Paul knew that prayer was warfare and powerful.  We need to remember this.  Prayers are not just words, but words of power.  Pray for our churches, our pastors, out teachers, and our missionaries.  Pray that your lost family members will accept Jesus.  When you pray, pray with the right motivation and pray for God’s will to be realized.

Who or what will you pray for today?

Principle:  Prayer is powerful.

Next time we will study Romans 16.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Romans 15:1-13 – Christian Responsibility

Romans 15:1-6 – True Unity

Do you care what others think of you?  Are you a people pleaser?  Or do you try to do what is pleasing to God?

People pleasers avoid speaking their mind afraid of what other will think.  It’s difficult for them to say No and to set limits.  They avoid conflict of any kind.  They want the approval of others at any cost. 

Does this describe you?

In this chapter Paul is writing to those believers who are strong in their faith saying that they should support those whose faith is weak.  Paul calls himself a strong Christian.  He says that we should encourage others by using our freedoms in a responsible way by building up weaker Christians.   He uses Jesus as an example by using words from the Old Testament in Psalm 69:9 –  “For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”

Why would Paul quote the Old Testament?  The Old Testament gives us the hopeful promise of the Messiah to come.  The whole Bible is from God.  It encourages us and instructs us in godly living.  “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” - Rom. 15:4.  To overcome our problems in this world we need the hope that God gives.

There are many verses that prove that Jesus didn’t live to please Himself.  In Matt. 4 Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights and was tempted by Satan, but never gave in to His own needs.  People constantly followed Him, but He always took time teaching and healing them.  In Matt. 19 He took time for little children.  In Matt. 27 He saved others by His death instead of saving Himself.  In Phil. 2:6-8 tells us He made himself nothing and took on the nature of a servant.

People who live to please themselves are selfish, conceited, greedy, jealous, and prideful.  They are self-centered, self-absorbed and live for their own interests.  They can be mean and some are even plain evil.  I think deep down they are unhappy.

Do any of these similarities describe you?

We as believers have Christian liberties not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God and others.   Jesus’ whole life was that of denying Himself.  If we are trying to please men, we are not true follower and servants of Christ.  To be true followers we must imitate Jesus.  We may not be perfect at it, but we must try.

Paul tells believers that they have the responsibility of unity.  True Christian unity doesn’t care about race, culture, age, gender or background.  True unity comes from God and is based on Christ Jesus.  We are to appreciated and support each other recognizing our differences while realizing we are all part of God’s family.  We need to work on our relationships at home and in the church.  We are to pursue things that bring peace and build others up.  We are to be considerate of others.  We are to be careful not to put stumbling blocks in our brothers’ way.  If we Christians don’t argue, our churches will be strong and then will be able to declare the gospel in a powerful manner.  Our unity is based on our common salvation in Christ. 

As believers we also have privileges.  Our sins are forgiven.  We are sons of God and part of His family and get all that goes with it.  Our one purpose is to glorify God and Jesus Christ.

How have you been especially considerate of another Christian?

How are you building them up?

Where do you need to work on your relationships?

Principle:  True unity comes from Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:7-12 – Christian Acceptance

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praises to God.” – Rom. 15:7.  This is a summary of what Paul has said.  Christians are to accept one another to God’s glory just as Christ accepted us to God’s glory.  He accepted you when you didn’t deserve to be accepted.  You were His enemy and were not seeking after Him.  He came looking for you.  He died for you! 

To accept means more that tolerating other Christians.  It means to welcome others, especially those who are different.  We are not to hold on to our small prejudices.  We are to extend the same mercy to others that we received.  When we show our love for other Christians, God will receive honor.  When we show love to those who don’t deserve it, God gets the glory. 

Paul goes on to say that Jesus accepted both Jews and Gentiles in order to bring praise to God.  He became a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the Old Testament patriarchs so the Gentiles may also glorify God.    Paul quotes The Old Testament in verses 9-12 reminding the Jews of the promise to the Jewish fathers included the Gentiles and that neither Jew nor Gentile should look down on the other.

What has kept you from accepting another Christian who has different beliefs?

Principle:  Believers are to be accepting of other believers in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:13 – Hope

Paul prays that all believers will know joy and peace completely.  He prays that the Holy Spirit will give hope to them and that hope will encourage their Christian life.  Christians eagerly wait for Christ’s return.  Then He will complete their salvation by giving them a new body and a new life in heaven.  “We wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13.

Are you earnestly praying for complete joy and peace?

Principle:  Believers wait for the completion of their salvation.

In verse 5 Paul calls God one who gives endurance and encouragement.  In verse 13 he calls God “the God of Hope”.  In verse 33 He is called “the God of peace”.  What beautiful names he gives to God.

How could you describe God?

Next time we will finish the study Romans 15.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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