From Romans 14-16

Paul’s ending statements should inspire us to share the gospel as well with those who do not know Jesus. So that those who have never been told of him will see and understand. Gospel ministry may lead us into situation like what Paul is seeking to counter here. People from different nations and ethical understandings coexisting together. That is the goal of the gospel. That all nations be blessed in Jesus.

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

Just prior to this passage Paul has been giving instructions to the combined Jew Gentile audiences in Rome. Paul has anticipated the likely issues they will have with one another regarding the Jewish food laws, Sabbath and festival observance. In this passage Paul goes on to explain how the ministry of Christ fits in with the Gentiles.

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. (Rom 15.8-9a)

Paul has given two reasons why Christ became a servant. To fulfill the promises (Rom 1.1-4) and to enable the Gentiles to glorify God. Concerning the second reason Paul gives a series of proof texts to back up his statement.

As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (cf. 2 Sam 22.50; Ps 18.49)

10 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” (cf. Dt 32.43)

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” (cf. Ps 117.1)

12 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” (cf. Isa 11.1)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Rom 15.9b-13)

In the context of likely Jew Gentile issues in the Roman churches, Paul has affirmed the inclusion of the Gentiles into the purposes of God.

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 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. (Rom 15.14-16)

Paul makes some strong statements regarding the Romans. He says ‘I am satisfied … that you are full of goodness’ and ‘able to instruct’. I can see in a way Paul is buttering them up. He is doing so because he has ‘written to them boldly’. Paul has done all this because of his ministry to the Gentiles.

17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see,

and those who have never heard will understand.” (Rom 15.17-21)

Paul’s main aim is to bring the Gentiles to obedience. This certainly includes the idea of them coming to faith, but theres more. He means obedience to the will of God that can only come about through faith.

Words for Believers

Paul’s ending statements should inspire us to share the gospel as well with those who do not know Jesus. So that those who have never been told of him will see and understand. Gospel ministry may lead us into situation like what Paul is seeking to counter here. People from different nations and ethical understandings coexisting together. That is the goal of the gospel. That all nations be blessed in Jesus.

Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.