Romans 15:14–20, 22–25, 28–32

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

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Romans 15:14–20, 22–25, 28–32

Carry out Missions Activities (14–19)
Paul displays his tact in writing to a church he neither planted nor visited. He compliments them on being “full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.” The word “goodness” means moral goodness produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. The Roman Christians had a good grasp of Christian doctrine and, therefore, were able to teach one another. No one was so wise he had nothing to learn, and no one was so inept he had nothing to share.

Paul says he has written more boldly to the believers in Rome “because of the grace given me by God.” He elaborates on his mission in verses 16–21. God has given him the gracious ministry of bringing Gentiles into obedience to God. Paul pictures himself as a priest, using the gospel as the means by which he offers his Gentile converts as a sacrifice acceptable to God. He acknowledges that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that saves people by setting them apart unto the Lord. God uses human beings to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, but it is clearly the Holy Spirit’s job to save.

As he carries out the missions mandate, Paul boasts in Christ Jesus because it is the Christ who is at work transforming rebellious sinners into children of God. In verses 18–19, he pursues the statement further. The goal of what Christ does through Paul is the salvation of Gentile unbelievers. Christ is the one ultimately responsible as He continues to work through His servant. Paul preaches the gospel of Christ and also performs signs and wonders (miracles) to validate that he is a true messenger of God. 

From Jerusalem to Illyricum, which includes modern-day Albania and parts of the old Yugoslavia, he had fulfilled his task of preaching the gospel. This statement does not mean that he had evangelized every one in the area indicated but that he had completed his “trail-blazing, pioneer preaching” of the gospel that he believed was his own special apostolic ministry.    

Use Broad Strategy (20, 22–24a)
The Book of Acts reveals Paul’s strategy was to concentrate his missionary activity on the great urban centers of his day. Having accomplished that goal in the eastern Mediterranean world, he now intends to move to the western reaches of the empire. He had brought to the climax his commission to plant thriving, self-reproducing churches throughout the region he described. His heart’s desire is to “evangelize where Christ has not been named.” There is nothing wrong with building on someone else’s foundations, but God called Paul to extend the gospel to unreached peoples. He sees himself carrying out the commission given to the servant of the Lord in Isaiah 52:15, revealing the good news to peoples who have never heard.

Assist Missionaries (24b–25)
The Book of Romans is a missionary support letter. As Paul passes through Rome, he hopes the Romans will assist him financially as he heads toward Spain. Spain is a long way from Antioch, his original sending church, and he knows he will need a new base of operations. The Roman church could help make the Spanish campaign a reality by praying for him, contributing financially and sending helpers to go along with him.

Work Within God’s Will (28–29, 32)
Paul has desired to come to Rome and have a fruitful ministry among them and develop a support network for his missions trip to Spain, but he has been prevented until now. Paul wants to come to Rome safely, coming with joy because of the goodness of God in prospering his way and finding refreshment in the fellowship of the saints. Yet he knows all this has to be conditioned on God’s will. 

Pray for Missionaries (30–31)
Paul pleads with the Roman believers to agonize with him in prayer that he will be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that the saints in Jerusalem will accept the offering he is bringing to present to them. He covets prayer so that he can complete his mission to the saints in Jerusalem and then pursue his mission to the unsaved in Spain.