Romans 15:14-33 (WEB)
I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.
But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
But, as it is written,
“They will see, to whom no news of him came.
They who haven’t heard will understand.”
Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,
but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,
whenever I travel to Spain, I will 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 say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.
When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
🔑 Key Points
1. Ministry is by grace, not merit
Paul never forgot that his apostleship was pure grace — Christ called him while he was breathing venom against the church. Sproul applies this to every servant of God: what we earned was 'chief of sinners'; only grace makes us spokespeople for Christ.
2. The gospel is God's possession
Paul ministers 'the gospel of God' — not good news *about* God only, but news that belongs to God and comes from Him. Paul writes boldly to the Roman believers as a reminder, though he is confident they are full of goodness and able to admonish one another.
3. The fruit of ministry is an offering sanctified by the Spirit
Sproul sees Paul borrowing priestly language: his sacrifice is the Gentile converts themselves — a return to God of the very gifts God produced through the Spirit's power. We can offer God nothing He has not first given us.
4. All boasting is in Christ alone
Paul dares speak only of what Christ accomplished through him, in word and deed, by the power of the Spirit. Sproul: this isn't false modesty — it's theological accuracy. Nothing good happens from a preacher's skill; the power is in the Word attended by the Holy Spirit.
5. Signs authenticated the apostles; the gospel went the whole circuit
Signs, wonders, and powers were credentials authenticating God's agents of revelation, marking the kingdom's breakthrough. From Jerusalem around to Illyricum Paul fully preached Christ, aiming to go where Christ was not yet named — then he asks Rome to pray for his dangerous delivery of the offering to Jerusalem's saints.
💬 Discussion Questions
Paul credited only what Christ accomplished through him. Where are you tempted to take credit for spiritual results that are actually the Spirit's work?
Paul aimed to preach where Christ was not yet named. What does faithful mission look like in your own neighborhood or workplace?
Paul asked the Roman church to 'strive together' with him in prayer. Is there a servant or missionary you could commit to praying for this week?
Whatever you offer God today — your work, your witness, your gifts — it is only a return of what His grace first gave you. Boast in Christ alone, and let the God of peace be with you.
