I. PAUL’S REASONS FOR WRITING THE ROMANS. Vs 14-16
PAUL informs his ROMAN readers in verse 14 that his REASON for writing this EPISTLE is not because of their IMMATURITY or to correct any serious DOCTRINAL DEFICIENCY they had.
Since this is possibly the most extensive, SYSTEMATIC EXPOSITIONS OF DOCTRINE IN ALL THE BIBLE, he did not write this EPISTLE to INFORM them as much as he did to REMIND them.
His motivation was to carry out his GOD-GIVEN MISSION and CALLING as an APOSTLE to the GENTILES. Acts 26:15-18
PAUL perceived his CALLING to be a very broad one. He was not just CALLED to EVANGELIZE among the GENTILES; his words indicate he was CALLED to bring about “the obedience to the faith among all nations.”
Which is precisely what he did by writing this EPISTLE to the ROMAN SAINTS. He challenged them to the OBEDIENCE THAT STEMS FROM FAITH.
II. PAUL’S REASONS FOR HIS ABSENCE FROM ROME. Vs 17-21
PAUL DEMONSTRATED that it was his COMMITMENT to his CALLING and MINISTRY that kept him from ROME—that is, his PRIORITIES kept him from ROME.
In verses 17-19, PAUL pointed to the SUCCESS of his MINISTRY, not to BOAST in his own accomplishments but to GIVE GLORY TO GOD and show that GOD’S HAND OF BLESSING was EVIDENT in his MINISTRY.
PAUL’S MINISTRY among the GENTILES bore EVIDENCES OF GOD’S BLESSING and POWER. His success was the result of GOD’S WORKING THROUGH HIM. And so, as he went about PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL, the HOLY SPIRIT bore witness to GOD’S PRESENCE AND POWER BY SIGNS and MIRACLES.
PAUL’S MINISTRY was that of an APOSTLE. He took the GOSPEL to places where the name of CHRIST had never been heard. The APOSTOLIC SIGNS and WONDERS that accompanied his PREACHING were PROOF to PAGANS that PAUL’S MESSAGE was one to be taken seriously because of the POWER OF GOD that was upon him!
These “SIGNS AND WONDERS” were GOD’S ACCREDITATION of PAUL as an APOSTLE!
His DESIRE was to PREACH THE GOSPEL where it had not been heard before. He did not wish to BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION of another. Vs. 20
PAUL found the words of Isaiah 52:15 descriptive of his CALLING, and so he quoted them in verse 21.
III. PAUL’S REASON FOR YET ANOTHER DELAY. Vs 22-29
Verse 22 concludes PAUL’S EXCUSE of verses 17-21 and introduces his next topic—his plans for the future.
The good news of this paragraph was that PAUL was planning to visit ROME. The bad news is there is yet one more DELAY.
PAUL had been “hindered” from visiting ROME, hindered by his CALLING and his MINISTRY. His DELAY was not accidental but PURPOSEFUL according to GOD’S PURPOSES!
Given his PRINCIPLES and PRIORITIES as an APOSTLE, HE was still poised to go somewhere the GOSPEL had not yet been proclaimed—SPAIN!
His plan was to use ROME as a stopping place on his way to SPAIN. After a time of fellowship, he planned to proceed on to SPAIN!
But before he set out for SPAIN he had one final task that he had to accomplish. This task would take him back to JERUSALEM and from there he would set out for SPAIN.
PAUL would have to travel another 2,000 miles or so before he reached ROME when he could have gone directly to Rome some 600 miles from where he was writing. But this MISSION to JERUSALEM was a high priority.
The CHURCH in JERUSALEM, made up of mostly JEWS, was in dire straits! The GOSPEL had required that the JEWS in JERUSALEM PROCLAIM the GOOD NEWS to the GENTILES in distant places.
And the GENTILES, now wanting to show their GRATITUDE and LOVE, had COLLECTED LOVE OFFERINGS to MINISTER to the hurting JEWISH SAINTS in JERUSALEM.
PAUL was taking OFFERINGS from the GENTILE CHURCHES he helped to establish back to those SAINTS.
Only when this task was completed would PAUL feel free to press on to ROME and ultimately to SPAIN.
IV. PAUL’S REQUESTS FOR PRAYER. 15:30-33
PAUL’S PRIORITIES are seen not only in his previous MINISTRY but in his PLANS FOR THE FUTURE as well as in his PRAYER REQUESTS. Vs 30-32
A. PAUL requested that these SAINTS PRAY for him that he “might be delivered from them who do not believe in Judea.” vs 31
The danger ahead did not deter PAUL from pressing on to JERUSALEM, but it did prompt him to ask the ROMAN SAINTS to PRAY for him.
B. PAUL asked the SAINTS in ROME to PRAY that his service to the saints in JERUSALEM might be “accepted of the saints” vs 31
The GENTILES gladly gave to minister to the JEWISH SAINTS, but would the JEWS gladly receive these gifts? PAUL asked for PRAYER that they would.
C. PAUL asked for PRAYER that “with joy by the will of God,” he would come to ROME and be “refreshed” in their FELLOWSHIP. vs 32
GOD answered their PRAYERS. PAUL was delivered from the unbelieving JEWS, delivered the offering, and arrived safely in ROME, thanks to his arrest and the Roman government. Acts 20-28
An appropriate benediction is pronounced by PAUL in verse 33.
Central Baptist Church of Orange Park, Florida
Independent Fundamental King James Bible Believing Teaching Preaching
@pastorjerryn.thrower
