Romans 15:14-21

Paul Ministers among the Nations

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14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

15However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me

16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

18I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,

19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

20In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

21Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Paul is satisfied that the Roman believers are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. He has written boldly on some points because of the grace given him by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.

His priestly service is the proclamation of the gospel so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus Paul has reason to be proud of his work for God, but he will not speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through him.

Christ worked through Paul by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. Paul has fully proclaimed the gospel from Jerusalem and around to Illyricum, making it his ambition to preach where Christ has not been named rather than build on another person's foundation.

The priestly image explains the purpose of his work. The Gentiles themselves become an offering acceptable to God, made holy by the Spirit. Paul cannot make that happen by his own skill. Christ works through his words and deeds, and the Spirit brings the obedience for which Paul gives thanks.

His particular ambition is to take the gospel where Christ is not known. He closes with Isaiah's words about people hearing and understanding what had not been told them. Established churches still need instruction, as this letter itself shows. Paul is explaining the pioneering work God has given him, not forbidding every Christian from continuing another person's ministry.

Questions

1 How does Paul describe the Roman believers?

AnswerHe says they are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Paul recognizes their maturity even while writing to teach and encourage them.

2 Why has Paul written boldly?

AnswerHe writes because of the grace God gave him to serve as a minister to the Gentiles. Boldness is connected to a received responsibility, not to personal superiority.

3 What does Paul refuse to boast about?

AnswerHe refuses to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through him. His work matters, but its source and limit are Christ's activity.

4 Where does Paul aim to preach?

AnswerHe aims to preach where Christ has not been named and not build on another person's foundation. His particular calling is to take the gospel to people who have not heard of Christ.

What This Means for Us

Paul's example invites us to notice people who have had little opportunity to hear about Christ. The need may be far away, or it may exist among people we already know. They need the gospel itself, not only a favorable impression of Christians.

Learn about a church-supported effort to reach such people and ask how you can help. Prayer, giving, hospitality or a clear conversation may be appropriate to your part in the work. We need not all share Paul's particular assignment to care about its purpose.

When there is fruit, give thanks for what Christ has done. Faithful effort matters, but only His Spirit can make people holy and bring them to obedience.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, make us bold without arrogance and useful without needing ownership. Help us honor one another's maturity, serve the places that need good news, and give You credit for every true accomplishment. Amen.

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