Romans 15:14–33 shows us a portrait of mature Christian confidence—not self-promotion, but a settled trust that Christ is at work in and through us. In this episode, we watch Paul affirm the Roman church’s goodness, knowledge, and competence, even as he reminds them how much they still need bold gospel reminders and a priestly ministry that points everything back to God’s grace. We also follow Paul as he looks back over a completed season of ministry and looks ahead with hopeful, flexible plans, learning what it means to know who you are, where you’re going, and how to hold your future before God with open hands.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
- Paul’s remarkable description of the Roman believers as “full of goodness,” “filled with all knowledge,” and “able to instruct one another”—and what that kind of maturity looks like in a local church
- Why even a well-taught, compassionate church still needs “bold reminders” of the gospel, and how regular renewal of our minds protects us from drift
- Paul’s picture of himself as a priest-like minister and “translator,” simply carrying God’s message to people and people’s needs to God—without needing his name on the work
- What it means to boast only in “what Christ has accomplished through me,” and how that frees us from both insecurity and self-congratulation in ministry
- Paul’s sense of having “fully preached” the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum, and what it looks like for us to look back on a life chapter and name, with gratitude, what God has finished
- The twin priorities that shape Paul’s future plans: expanding the gospel where Christ has not been named, and preserving the unity of the church through sacrificial generosity
- How Paul models planning that is strategic, persistent, team-oriented—and completely willing for God to reroute the journey in surprising ways
- The three specific prayer requests he shares, how each is answered in unexpected form, and what that teaches us about praying boldly while trusting God with the outcomes
By the end of the episode, listeners will have a more grounded vision of what godly confidence really is: knowing your gifts, remembering the gospel often, embracing your role as a conduit rather than the center, and planning with energy while letting God redraw the map. You’ll be invited to look honestly at your own season of life, recognize where God has already been at work, and hold your future before Him with the same mix of ambition, gratitude, and surrender that marked Paul’s ministry.
Paul closes Romans as he began, with a personal word about himself and the church in Rome. Reflecting on his life so far and where God will take him next, Paul discusses two themes: 1) the situation of church at Rome, and 2) the future of his ministry. As you study Romans 15, you might want to compare what Paul says to your own church and ministry.
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. – Romans 15:14
Paul says the church at Rome has three positive qualities:
- They are full of goodness in the sense that they are motivated by a sense of goodness, because God has changed their hearts to strive for it.
- They are complete in knowledge in that they fully understand the gospel.
- They are competent to teach one another, sharing the wisdom God has given them so far.
15But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:15-16
Paul says the church at Rome lacks two qualities:
- No matter how well taught, they still need a bold reminder of the truth.
- They still need a “priestly ministry” — someone to speak to them about God and remind them of the truth.
17In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience–by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God–so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. – Romans 15:17-29
Now Paul speaks of his own ministry:
- His boast and worth stem from what Christ has accomplished through him.
- He is delighted to be who he is. He is so confident because he has seen Christ at work.
- He has finished his work in the east and is looking west toward Rome and Spain.
- Paul planned ahead, but his plans were flexible, he was persistent and he involved a team.
30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. – Romans 15:30-33 ESV[/note]
Paul’s three prayer requests were granted in a surprising way.
- He was rescued from the unbelievers in Judea by being placed in Roman custody after being beaten.
- His service to Jerusalem was acceptable but stirred up a lot of trouble.
- He did go to Rome but it was over 2 years later and involved prison and a shipwreck.
For more detail and explanation please listen to the podcast
Next: 24 Romans 16 – Paul’s Roman Yearbook
Previous: 22 Romans 14:19-15:13 Handling Disagreement
Series: Romans: Justification by Faith
Study: Romans Resources
Season 2, Episode 23
Page Views: 2,086