Lesson 34 – Romans Chapter 15:19-33
In the first part of Romans 15 we were instructed by Paul to be alert in our Christian walk, by looking around to see if there is someone in need, someone who is eager to grow in Christ, then come alongside them and help them in their walk. When we take an interest in another person’s life, it will most likely be well received.
We were also reminded that as believers, we have a job to do… that when given the opportunity we need to tell others about Christ.
Rom. 15:19
(18) “Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.”
“In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum (Ill-leari-cum) I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”
Paul demonstrated that God had blessed him with apostolic power by performing mighty signs and wonders.
One example of this can be found in Acts 19:11-12:
“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”
• Do you think that mighty signs and wonders can happen today? Have you seen any recently?
Acts 4:29-31
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” (NLT)
Do you think that we should pray like that today? Should we pray for boldness of witness and signs and wonders like healing? Or should we pray only for boldness of witness? These are all thought provoking questions to answer.
Or, how about this one; Were the signs and wonders especially designed by God to show the authority of the apostles so that after the apostles had done their work by building up the New Church, the signs and wonders ceased?
Quite honestly, this has been debated for centuries, so I can’t give you a clear-cut answer one way or the other. I believe God will do signs and wonders in His own time and in His way. I don’t think we should ever stop praying for healings and miracles, and we should definitely pray for boldness of witness. Jesus encourages us to keep on praying.
Matt. 7:7-8
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Perhaps one day God will do signs and wonders as a result of your prayers.
Rom. 15:20
“And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,”
“My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” (NLT)
Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel no matter what. Once Jesus got Paul’s attention on the road to Damascus, Paul was never the same man again.
Paul’s life-changing experience on the Damascus Road led to his baptism and instruction in the Christian faith. He became the most determined of the apostles, suffering brutal physical pain, persecution, and finally, martyrdom. He revealed his “secret” of enduring a lifetime of hardship for the gospel:
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul declared the power of God works through every believer, so when we feel that we can’t preach the gospel, we need only to lean on God’s promise of strength. Paul was devoted to preaching God’s divine plan, that everyone needs to be born again, and he knew that God would help him. We should have the very same confidence. Pray for it and God will help you.
Not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation…
Paul said that he wouldn’t build on another man’s foundation. Even a brief reading of the book of Acts shows that Paul was a pioneer missionary, evangelist, and a church planter. He preached the gospel where nobody had been before. According to the New Testament Scriptures, Paul ministered in more previously unevangelized areas than any of the other apostles or preachers.
Rom 15:21
“But as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”
Paul is quoting Isaiah 52:15 as his confirmation of Scripture, by going to those who have not seen and who haven’t heard in order that they might see, hear, and understand.
Rom. 15:22
“For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.”
We need to keep in mind when Paul wrote this he was still in Corinth, wanting desperately to go to Rome. It should also be noted that during this time he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Rom. 15:23-29
“But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”
The implication is that Paul planned to sail for Judea directly from Corinth. Phoebe, also a fellow believer, was about to leave Corinth for Rome. She was presumably the bearer of the letter from Paul to the Romans. Since practically all navigation on the Mediterranean Sea ceased after November 11th and was not resumed again until March 10th the book of Romans was likely written in the fall of A. D. 57.
A plot by the Jews, however, changed Paul’s travel plans. Instead of taking a ship from Corinth, Paul went through Macedonia by foot and eventually left for Jerusalem from Philippi the next spring. Little did Paul know that his eventual arrival in Rome would be as a prisoner from A. D. 61-63.
Paul planned to go to Spain. Did he ever make it? We don’t know. Church tradition indicates he did indeed go to Spain and then on up to England, but this can’t be verified. Paul had a plan and a course of action.
II Tim. 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
So perhaps Paul did or didn’t get to all those places. The fact remains, that Paul was a true champion of Christ. We would do well to emulate him.
I want to jump back at this point to verses 26 & 27:
Rom. 15:26-27
“For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia (A-hi-ya) to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
Paul planned to minister to the believers in Jerusalem by taking a contribution to them. Paul was anxious that this offering be received by the Jewish believers and be acceptable to them. Why? Perhaps due to the persecution they were facing or maybe just a drought, the saints in Jerusalem were enduring a season of poverty at this time.
Through this contribution Paul wanted to knit a bond between the main church in Jerusalem and the other churches. Gentile believers, realizing their indebtedness to the Jerusalem church for evangelizing in their region, collected an offering for the church.
• Why do you think there was a sense of indebtedness among the Gentile believers?
Paul looked on this offering as the paying of a debt. The Gentles had received “spiritual wealth” from the Jews. They now returned the favor to them with “material wealth” in the Jews’ time of need, thus paying the debt. After all, it was the Jews who gave the Gentiles the Word of God and the Son of God (the blessing of Abraham). When the life of the Spirit flows through a church, giving isn’t a problem.
Rom. 15:30
“Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,”
Paul says, I beg you. Other translations say, “I urge you” or “I appeal to you,” all very heartfelt and strong words to make a prayer request to his fellow believers. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.
The word strive in the Greek (synagōnizomai) is from which we get the word “agonize.” By Paul using these strong words asking for prayer, it’s easy to see that this request is coming from his heart. And with his sincerity of heart, it also shows that Paul places a very high value on prayer itself.
I Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
To pray without ceasing simply means that we should make prayer a regular habit and never stop doing so. Paul wrote this under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he knows that prayer is very important, and he’s asking the brethren to pray for him.
Why was Paul making this request? Because he knew the dangers that awaited him. As Paul traveled from city to city, people would be warning him that he was going to have serious problems once he arrived at Jerusalem.
Acts 21:4
“And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.”
Paul was a man on a mission quite literally, his mission was to the Gentiles. His power came from the Holy Spirit. He was constantly breaking new ground, not on anyone else’s foundation. And he had a plan, and that was to go to Rome. To keep all of this together, Paul needed prayer from the saints.
Paul doesn’t need prayer now because he’s with Jesus, but we need prayer. We know from Paul’s experience that life can get busy, even challenging at times. As I’ve said in the past, before you do anything, no matter how small it might be, pray… pray and invite God into whatever you’re doing.
With that, we are to pray for each other…
James 5:16
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Effective prayer for others will bring us closer to God, because effective prayer is based on a knowledge of God’s Word, knowing that He hears the prayers of His saints.
I John 5:14
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
It will also bring us closer to others, as we learn more about them and focus on their needs. For most of us, praying for others tends to run along these lines: Lord, provide my friend with a job, a car that runs, good health, and safety. If we really know someone well, we might pray for his or her marriage or other relationships. There is nothing wrong with praying for these things; in fact, the Bible encourages us to pray for everything.
It is right to pray for health and for good things to happen:
III John 1:2
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
Praying for others is important because it fulfills a New Testament command. We are to pray for all people… we are to pray for government leaders and we are to pray for the unsaved.
I Timothy 2:1-2, 4
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
We are to pray for our fellow Christians and we are to pray for ministers of the gospel:
Eph. 6:18-20
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
We are to pray for the persecuted church:
Heb. 13:3
“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
Praying for others gets our focus off of ourselves and onto the needs around us. As we “carry each other’s burdens,” we “will fulfill the law of Christ” (love your neighbor).
Galatians 6:2
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
So let’s continue praying for others every day and help to build up the body of Christ, just as Paul did.
Rom. 15:31
“That I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,”
Paul’s also asking for prayer for the believers in Jerusalem, that they might accept him.
Rom. 15:32
“That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.”
To be refreshed pictures for us “rest and relaxation.” I’ll bet when you hear words like rest and relaxation, all of a sudden you might picture yourself on a nice beach with the sun shining and gentle waves rolling in. It feels good doesn’t it?
Paul was anticipating some kind of conflict once he arrived in Jerusalem, so he looked forward to a time of refreshment with the believers in Rome. Everyone needs a time of rest and relaxation.
I Cor. 16:17
“I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus (for-too-na-tos), and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.”
Paul rejoiced in the blessings and joy in the other saints. Paul’s personal desire to minister in Spain probably didn’t come to pass, but he did reach Rome and found the joy and refreshing rest in the company of believers. This was something Paul longed for. Paul got to Rome, but not in the way he expected. He traveled to Rome as a prisoner of the Roman Empire.
From Jon Courson; “And so we wonder. It looks like the prayers of the Romans weren’t answered… or were they? Was he protected? Yes. He didn’t die. Bloodied? You bet… but he didn’t die. Was he accepted by the believers? Oh, not initially… but eventually, for Peter himself instructed the believers to listen to what Paul had to say.
II Peter 3:15-16
“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him – speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.”
“Did Paul make it to Rome? While he didn’t travel in the way he intended, at least his trip was all-expenses paid! Like Paul, sometimes we say, “Pray for me. I’m going through this struggle, and here are three things I need to happen…” And although we pray fervently, sometimes initially it seems like just the opposite of what we hoped for happens. But wait. I have discovered that usually when I think prayers are not being answered, it’s simply because I have not seen the unique and beautiful way God is working…
“I once read an article in the paper about a woman in Alaska who tried to call her sister in Idaho, but she mistakenly dialed Vermont’s 802 area code rather than Idaho’s 208 area code. The woman in Vermont who answered the call was, at that moment, suffering a severe heart attack. As a result, the woman in Alaska heard only a gasping voice on the other end of the phone, saying, “Help me, Help me. Please God help me.”
“The woman in Alaska was able to work with the telephone operators and emergency personnel to save the Vermont woman’s life. Sometimes, when I pray, I think all I get are busy signals or wrong numbers. But God is working in ways that, if I’ll just hang in there, I’ll see his hand.”
What Jon just said is evidenced in this familiar prayer by a Confederate soldier:
“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.”
Jon goes on to say; “That’s the way of the Lord. In the middle of our won civil wars, we may not see God’s hand. But on the other side, we’ll say, “Lord, I got nothing I asked for… but everything I really wanted.” The purpose and the power of prayer are not to get your way in life, but to get the Lord’s blessing in your life. The prayers Paul requested were truly answered in the best possible way, for lives were touched, folks were saved, and we’re encouraged here today because people prayed.”
Rom. 15:33
“And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.”
Paul gives us another benediction to close out this chapter. Within this chapter Paul has talked about “the God who gives perseverance and encouragement” in verse 5 and “the God of hope” in verse 13. Now he says to us, the God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
Listen, God is the source of all true peace, Phil. 4:7 tells us that God’s peace is a peace the surpasses all understanding. The world knows nothing of this peace, only followers of Jesus Christ do.
If we looked at Paul’s life externally, there wasn’t a lot of peace going on. But I’m pretty sure the moment Paul turned inward to his relationship with God, peace was overflowing. This same peace is a gift from God to every person who comes to the foot of the cross looking for forgiveness and hope.
Let’s celebrate God’s peace, hope, and salvation.