Studies in Romans Presentation 29. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS: OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17 BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20 GOOD NEWS

Studies in Romans

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SUMMARY OF CONTENTS:OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20GOOD NEWS : A gospel that changes our relationship to God 3:21- 5:21HOW TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN : 6:1- 8-39

Sanctification 6:1-23 Union with Christ and its implications The Place of the Law 7:1-25 Life in the Spirit 8:1-39A SHORT DETOUR : Questions concerning Israel 9:1-11:36PAUL’S GENTILE MINISTRY, POLICY AND PLANS 15:14-33PERSONAL GREETINGS : 16:1-27Paul’s own greeting 16:1-16Warning against deceivers 16:17-20Greetings continued 16:21-24Doxology 16:25-27

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Studies in RomansPaul’s Gentile Ministry,

Policy, Plans and Closing Greetings

Chap 15v14-16-27

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From Ch. 12:1 – 15:13 Paul has been exhorting his readers in a way that demonstrates not only the depth of his understanding of theology, but also his great pastoral heart. He is seeking to bring out the best in the lives of the Christians in Rome.

How masterfully Paul has fulfilled his stated intention of 1:11 of imparting some spiritual gift to make them strong. Paul now begins to wind up his letter. This he does by providing general information about his ministry, v14-33, and then proceeds to a series of personal salutations in Ch. 16:1ff.

Paul’s Gentile Ministry 15.14-23

Policy and Plans

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Having spoken to them very plainly, he now reassures them in v14 of his confidence in their goodness, knowledge and ability to instruct one another. He does not want to give them the impression that he thinks them ignorant of the things he has written about. We all need repeated reminders of what we know [Phil. 3:1; 1Jn. 2:13] and Paul justifies his boldness on this basis.

The ‘knowledge’ of which he speaks refers to the discernment of truth that has grasped the fundamental issues of the gospel. The ‘goodness’ is a goodness of heart that makes them willing to apply the limitations of love to their use of Christian freedom.

He knows they are competent to admonish one another in the spirit of unity and forbearance. Together, these fruits ought to appear in the lives of all who are consecrated to God.


Policy and Plans

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The O.T. language of sacrifice figures prominently in v16. Paul saw his ministry in sacrificial terms. He constantly offered up himself and his service to God [2Tim. 4:6].

Gentile converts, the fruit of his preaching, were part of the offering he brought to God, his concern being that they, in turn, would offer themselves up to God as living sacrifices [12:1-2; Phil. 2:17].

For Paul, all of life was reduced to two very simple choices, either ‘pleasing ourselves’ or ‘pleasing Him’. [2Tim. 2:4].


Policy and Plans

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Paul has been criticised for boasting about his work in the way he does in v17ff. But Paul is under no illusion concerning his work. He recognises that all that he has accomplished has been accomplished by Christ through him. He was no more than a pencil in the hand of God.

His ministry was authenticated by the supernatural accompaniment of God’s Spirit. Humility does not baulk at telling the truth, and the truth is that God chose to work through him. But it was God who did the work!


Policy and Plans

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Paul is not saying in v19 that he preached in every village located in the vast area he describes, or to every person living there, but that he had established churches in strategic locations in these regions. That he preached the gospel ‘fully’ indicates that he proclaimed the whole counsel of God [cf. Acts 20: 27].

His ambition, to preach Christ in new territory reflects his apostolic commission to build new churches, rather than build up those already existing. His basis for evangelistic church planting is found in Is. 52:15, quoted in v21. Jerusalem

IllyricumRome


Policy and Plans

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This concern, to establish new churches, is given as his explanation for not yet having visited Rome. But now that his work in the East is finished, his eyes are now focused on the West, in fact on Spain [v24. It seems unlikely that Paul ever fulfilled this objective], and he shares his plan to visit Rome en route. He wanted to make the church in Rome his base for missionary activity in the West. We are able to sense something of his restless longing to take the gospel to ‘all the world’.

Paul, is clearly motivated by his understanding of being a ‘debtor’ [Rom 1:14].

Rome Spain


Policy and Plans

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Before his proposed trip to Rome, Paul had a more immediate duty upon the horizon [v25] - a visit to the church in Jerusalem, in order to hand over the collections he had made in Macedonia and Achaia for the relief and support of the poor. [Cf. 1Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8, 9; Acts 11:27-30; Gal. 2:10].

Paul clearly attached great importance to this relief work, and he hoped that a better understanding between Jews and Gentiles would result. While Paul encouraged the Gentiles to make such a contribution, they clearly did so willingly v27, and as those who recognised their indebtedness to the Jews for the spiritual blessings that had come to them [15:8-13].

These verses make it clear that the apostles taught their hearers the relationship between financial stewardship and spiritual responsibility.


Policy and Plans

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Note the remarkable assurance of the apostle in v29. He is speaking of the full anointing of the Holy Spirit upon his apostleship. What made him so sure that this would accompany him?

Quite simply, his life was placed under divine control. He introduced himself in the opening of his letter as the bondslave of Jesus Christ. When a man’s life is utterly yielded to the divine will, then all of God’s purposes will find their fruition in him.


Policy and Plans

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Paul is aware of the dangers surrounding his visit to Jerusalem, so he asks for prayer v30ff. He recognised a twofold source of danger. First, from the unbelieving Jews, whose hatred of Paul grew with every report of the success of his ministry. Secondly, there was the danger of having his motives misunderstood by the Jewish believers, when he brought the offering collected from the Gentiles.

These verses provide insight into the dynamic of prayer. It begins with struggle and ends with peace. cf. Matt. 26:36ff. The account of Paul’s arrest, recorded in Acts 21:30ff, and his subsequent deliverance, might have read very differently, had it not been for the prayers of the saints.


Policy and Plans

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There is a real temptation to pass over lists of names, such as those found in this chapter, thinking they have little relevance today. However, a great deal of valuable information can be found in the text, - 'character photographs' which fill out Paul’s instruction ‘to love one another’. He mentions 28 people, whom at one time or another, he had met in his travels, and who were now in Rome.

Paul was much more than a great theologian and a mighty evangelist, he was a people person. He valued others and recognised the tremendous importance of showing appreciation and expressing gratitude.

Personal Greetings 16:1-27

Paul’s Own Greeting 16:1-16

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Cenchrea was the seaport of Corinth, and Phoebe, the bearer of this epistle [it is thought], was a servant of the church there. She is described in v1 as 'diakonos', a deaconess [though not in the technical sense in which it is used today], thus drawing our attention to the valuable work that women exercised in the early church. She is described as someone who has been a great help [Gk. prostatis] to many people, the word often used of a wealthy person, and suggests she used her wealth for the good of the church. The church is exhorted to assist her. Here is a stranger in a strange city, who is to be made to feel immediately at home and be on the receiving end of the warmth, care and hospitality of the saints.



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Paul had enjoyed a long and enduring friendship with Priscilla and Aquila. They were timely encouragers in Acts 18:2 ff… and we are told here, though not in detail, that they had risked their lives for Paul. This suggests to us something of the immense personal devotion Paul was able to inspire.

"The church in their house" v5 suggests the fruitful potential of the Christian home. We are challenged to consider whether or not our home is a sanctuary for the weary, the troubled and distressed.



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In v7 we read of two of Paul's relations who were Christians before him, i.e. while he was a persecutor of the church. What does that suggest to you?

Were they instrumental in Paul's conversion through the agonising prayers they offered up on behalf of a wayward relative? This should encourage us to pray for relations, who might be hostile to the gospel!

Andronicus and Junias are described as apostles. Paul sometimes uses this expression in a looser sense, not referring to ‘the twelve’ with regard to their distinctive authority and revelatory function, but as those ‘sent out on mission’ by the church.



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Think for a moment of the rich social mix of the church in Rome; Ampliatus and Urbane are common names of Roman slaves. Appelles seems to have been put to the test in some way, and he has the distinction of having passed with flying colours. Aristobulus is thought to be the grandson of Herod the Great. Another of Paul’s relatives Herodion, is mentioned. Had Paul’s conversion some influence upon his relative?

Narcissus is thought to be the freedman of the Emperor Tiberius who was put to death early in the reign of Nero. Tryphena and Tryphosa, v12, are among several women [v3, 6,13,15] noted for their significant service in the church. The appreciative way in which Paul speaks of the ministry of these women refutes the charge sometimes made against him, that he was prejudiced against women - a woman hater!



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The ‘Rufus’ mentioned in v13 is thought to be the same one mentioned in Mark 15:21… the son of Simon of Cyrene. Can you imagine Simon telling his children again and again how he had been forced to carry Jesus’ cross, little realising at the time the great transaction that would take place upon it?

The mother of Rufus is mentioned, though unnamed, and described as one who treated Paul like a son. What it must have meant to the homeless apostle to have a home where he was made to feel one of the family, where he was mothered and loved! Did this dear woman ever truly appreciate what she did for Paul?



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Paul is happy to express his appreciation of his brothers and sisters in Christ. He knew that genuine praise, as distinct from flattery, humbles as well as helps the one who receives it. As Paul draws his list to an end in v16, he encourages them to ‘greet one another with a holy kiss’.

The same expression is found in 1Cor. 16:20; 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thes. 5:26 and in 1Pet. 5:14 where it is a ‘kiss of love’. This is an expression of fellowship and love in a specifically Christian sense, and not a display of mere natural affection.

One of the early Fathers describes this method of greeting as having been incorporated into Christian worship



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Before sending the personal greetings from Christians in Corinth, Paul sounds a note of warning in v17. Paul is not concerned by the fact that Christians might hold different views - that need not be dangerous - but he is concerned when those differences are the cause of division in the fellowship. It is the divisive, critical, spirit that has always done harm to the church.

This spirit can be disguised in spiritual language, but as far as Paul is concerned it is an expression of ‘self’ v18. We are encouraged not to argue with them, but to “avoid” such people.

Some situations are best dealt with in this way.


Warning Against Deceivers 16:17-20

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In v19-20 we find a safeguard against a divisive spirit. Obedience is the antidote to error. God accomplished his purposes of redemption through the obedience of Christ [cf. 5:19], and when believers obey ‘in Christ’, they share in his victory too.

To be ‘wise about what is good’ means recognising good when we see it. On the other hand, we must be simple concerning evil, not innocent simpletons, but able to discern evil and to have nothing to do with it. We are to refuse to allow its subtle attractions to complicate our lives.



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The promise of God crushing Satan under our feet follows immediately upon the exhortation to be simple concerning evil, and we must not miss the connecting link between the two.It is as we recognise and say ‘no’ to evil that we know the victory of God over Satan in our lives.

This is the first mention of Satan in the epistle, and suggests that through the grace and power of the gospel of Christ, he is kept firmly in his place!



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Greetings are resumed in v21ff., beginning with Paul’s beloved Timothy. Notice that more of Paul's relatives who are Christians are named. Tertius, Paul’s scribe, is allowed to greet the church in Rome in the first person. As he took down Paul’s dictation, how thrilled he must have been to know that he was the first to hear these profound utterances which we have been studying together! Gaius, the converted synagogue leader [1Cor 1:14], is commended for his lavish hospitality. His home was opened up, not just to ‘important visitors’, but to the whole church and perhaps beyond, to Christians passing through Corinth and in need of secure lodgings, who found their way into Gaius’ house. .


Greetings Continued 16:21ff

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Note, too, the way in which the influence of the gospel had infiltrated the fabric of government in the city. Erastus, the city's prominent director of public works, came to faith, as did others further away from the public limelight. This list makes us aware of the distinctions that existed in the church at Corinth.

But, in Christ, the distinctions that society makes are meaningless. In the church we learn to value one another, not because of shared social status, intelligence, interests or manners, but because of our mutual relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ..

Studies in RomansPersonal Greetings 16:1-27

Paul’s own greeting 16:1-16

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Paul, in his doxology in v 25-27, gathers together some of the leading themes of the epistle. The hidden purposes of God are revealed to men and women through the gospel. These purposes do not rest exclusively in N.T. revelation, but have their roots in the O.T. Scriptures.

The goal of unpacking this gospel through the medium of preaching is not to enlarge knowledge, or to satisfy curiosity, but to produce an obedience of faith. As people respond to what Christ has done in the gospel, and experience its transforming effect on their lives, then God is glorified. This is THE great objective of Paul’s ministry.

GLORy


Greetings Continued 16:21ff

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Studies in Romans Presentation 29. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS: OPENING REMARKS: 1:1-17 BAD NEWS : Universality of sin and its condemnation 1:18 - 3:20 GOOD NEWS