Romans chapter 15

by Keith Simons. Free online Bible course and commentary from the Useful Bible Study Centre.

Strong Christians and weak Christians

(Romans 15:1)

As a child grows, he should become strong in both his body and his mind (Luke 2:52). In the same way, the Bible teaches that Christians should become stronger in their relationship with God (Hebrews 5:11-14). They should increase in faith (trust in God). That is the result of their study of the Bible, and their experiences as they learn to trust God.

Christians are weak when they depend on their own feelings. They allow their own desires, ambitions, fears and emotions to guide their lives, instead of God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). They have not yet become mature in their relationship with God.

In most churches, few of the Christians are really strong. Very many Christians are much weaker in their relationship with God than they realise. Often, that weakness becomes clear to other people because of the wrong or foolish attitudes and behaviour of those weak Christians.

In such situations, a stronger Christian might want to speak in a bitter or fierce manner against the weaker Christian (14:1-4). In some situations it is necessary to speak firmly, however, the stronger Christian always needs to act in love (1 Corinthians chapter 13). Of course every Christian should act in love - but the strength of a strong Christian’s relationship with God makes him more able to do that. The strength of a physically strong person allows him to carry weights on behalf of a weaker person. In the same way, a stronger Christian has great trust in God; and that allows him to help weaker Christians.

Should Christians try to please other people?

(Romans 15:2)

We all naturally desire what is good for ourselves. However, if we care only to please ourselves, that is a selfish and evil attitude (15:1).

Clearly therefore, our desire should be to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). However, we must be careful to do that only in the way that God approves of. For example, we must not try to force God to support us by our gifts (1 Samuel 15:22; Micah 6:6-8).

God has commanded us to show love to other people (Luke 10:25-37; Romans 13:9-10). Therefore, there is a right way to please other people. It is when we unselfishly serve them, on God’s behalf (1 Corinthians 10:33 and 9:19-23). So, we can bring what God declares to be truly good into their lives. The result is to give them the opportunity to trust God for themselves. When we do that, God uses us to carry out his work in their lives.

However, we should also remember that there are wrong ways to please other people (Galatians 1:10). For example, sometimes we try to impress people because we want to be popular. Sometimes we want people to approve of us so that we can benefit in some wrong way. When we do such things, we are acting selfishly. We may say that we are helping other people - but really, we care much more about ourselves. We are simply using those other people for our own advantage.

Sometimes we choose to please other people when we should desire only to please God. Perhaps we respect those people too much, or perhaps we are afraid of them. We must never give to anyone else the honour that God alone deserves.

Jesus did not try to please himself

(Romans 15:3)

Through his life on earth, Jesus refused to do anything for his own selfish advantage (see Matthew 4:8-10). Instead, he did the things that God the Father wanted him to do (John 5:19). He spoke the words that God the Father wanted him to say (John 8:28). His decision was to obey God the Father completely, in every matter (Mark 14:36).

As he did that, Jesus accepted insults (Mark 3:22 and 15:29-32) and shame (Hebrews 13:12-13). Paul describes this in Romans 15:3 with words from Psalm 69:9.

Psalm 69 describes a person who is loyal to God. However, the enemies of this person have attacked him fiercely, without any proper reason. So, in the Psalm, he prays desperately to God. He is sure that God will act on his behalf. In the end, God will certainly rescue his people.

The first Christians were aware that several verses in that Psalm described events in Jesus’ life (John 2:17 and Psalm 69:9; Acts 1:20 and Psalm 69:25). In fact, Jesus himself used the Psalm to describe his own experience (John 15:25 and Psalm 69:4).

Paul gives no explanation here of why Jesus accepted those insults. Instead, he changes the subject, and he leaves us to think about that question for ourselves.

We think that Paul’s answer must match his advice to Christians in Romans 15:1-2. Jesus came, not to please himself, but to serve other people (Mark 10:45). Therefore, Christians should copy his attitudes in their own lives. They must not think too much about their own importance, profit or pleasure. Instead, they must show love to other people; in particular, they must help weaker people.

The Bible teaches, encourages and gives us hope

(Romans 15:4)

Most of the apostles (first Christian leaders) had remained with Christ for a period of 3 years. All of them, including Paul, saw often that the Holy Spirit was working powerfully in their lives (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4).

However, the apostles spoke and wrote very little about their own personal experiences. Instead, the constant subject of their books, letters and public speeches was the Bible. They referred constantly to the Old Testament (the older books of the Bible).

At the time of the apostles, those books were already ancient: between 400 and 1500 years old. Still, the first Christians did not believe that the Old Testament had lost its importance. They taught that the whole Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is God’s word (2 Peter 1:20-21 and 3:15-16). God’s word cannot lose its importance - it achieves God’s purposes (Isaiah 55:11).

So, the first Christians studied the Bible carefully (2 Timothy 3:16); and by it, God himself became their teacher (Psalm 119:97-102). They had many enemies, and their lives were often very difficult (1 Corinthians 4:9-13). So they needed very much the comfort that God gives (2 Corinthians 1:3-10) - and often, he gave them that comfort from the Bible. From it, they learned that God is carrying out his plans in the world (see, for example, Psalm 2 and Psalm 110). Therefore, no trouble in this world can ever defeat God’s plans for his people (8:31-39). So, God’s people learn to be patient and to trust God during their present troubles (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 10:32-39). The promises in God’s word give them a hope that cannot fail (Hebrews 6:17-19).

Paul expresses his desires in prayer

(Romans 15:5-6)

A truly holy person prays constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17), as Paul did (1:9). Paul desires God to act in every situation, so Paul naturally expresses his desires in prayer. That is why Paul’s words in his letters so often become prayers. We may say that we come to God in prayer; however, a truly holy person never leaves God. He is always aware that God is present; so he is always praying.

So, Paul has just written about patience and comfort. We might consider patience to be a good personal quality, and comfort to be a pleasant feeling. However, Paul was thinking about God and his kindness. So, Paul believes that patience and comfort are the gifts of God. He calls God: ‘the God of patience and comfort’. It is God who helps his people in the difficult situations of their lives. From him, and through his word, the Bible, they receive the patience and comfort that they need.

In prayer, therefore, Paul expresses his desires for Rome’s Christians. Paul's desires match God’s desires for them. So, he prays that they will live and work together, to the honour of God. That is the most important thing in any Christian’s life: to give honour to God. That is the most important task in any church: for its members to join together to give God honour.

It is good to pray for someone’s health, and happiness. It is good to pray for new members in a church. However, our attention should not be solely, or even mainly upon these things. Instead, our attention should be upon God himself. Then in our prayers, we will desire those things that he desires.

Accept each other

(Romans 15:7)

It is easy for us to be friendly towards those people with whom we have a good relationship. It is much more difficult to be friendly when they disagree with us about many things. However, all true Christians are the children of God (1 John 3:1). Therefore, they are all brothers and sisters in God’s family. God, their Father, loves them, so they too should love each other (1 John 4:7-11). In other words, Christians should care about each other and they should try to help each other.

After an argument, we have a choice. We can choose to receive the other person with kindness; or, we can send that person away. It seems clear from Paul’s words in Romans 14:1-4 that there were serious arguments in the church at Rome. The Christians there could have sent each other away. They could have tried to establish churches where everyone agreed about almost everything. However, Paul did not recommend that. Instead, he recommended that they should use their disagreements as an opportunity to show love to each other. By that means, Paul said, they would bring honour to God.

We think that it is right, sometimes, for churches to separate. God can use such situations to establish a new church in an area where formerly, there was only one. In fact, it seems that had already happened in Rome (16:3-5). In such situations, the two churches may have different beliefs about certain matters. However, those two churches must not be bitter towards each other. They are not enemies; they should help each other to do God’s work. So, Paul urged the two churches in Rome to be friendly towards each other.

Christ's work was on Israel's behalf

(Romans 15:8)

God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that, by means of their family, he would show kindness to people from every nation (Genesis 12:3). God would make it possible for people from all nations to receive a relationship with him. People from every nation would know the same kind of relationship with God that Abraham’s family had (Romans chapter 4).

As a mark of that promise, that family accepted circumcision: a minor operation on the sex part of males. That family became the nation called Israel, also called the Jewish people. Circumcision distinguished them from the other nations; it also reminded them of their nation’s special work for God. That work is to bring the knowledge of God to the world, as Paul explains in Romans 2:17-20).

However, Israel’s people could not carry out that task properly or completely, because of their own wrong deeds (3:9-12). By God’s standards, we are all guilty people (3:23). That is why God sent Christ into the world (John 3:16). He died to suffer the punishment for our evil deeds (5:6-8). We must turn from our evil deeds and accept him into our lives by faith (trust in God). God accepts all who turn to him in faith, from every nation (3:29-30). Therefore, people from every nation can now receive a right relationship with God because of Christ’s work.

Christ did not carry out that work separately from God’s promises to Israel. Rather, Christ did it because of God’s promises to Israel. Christ himself belonged to Israel (9:5). So, he brought the knowledge of God to all the nations on behalf of the rest of Israel. God’s kindness, both to Israel and to all the nations, is a great reason to give honour and thanks to God (15:9)

All God's people should join together to praise God

(Romans 15:9)

Romans 1:16 to 15:13 seems to be one continuous sermon or speech. Paul wrote it at a time when he was unable to visit the church in Rome. He probably intended that one of the church leaders there would read it at a church meeting.

Paul wanted to end this long passage in a joyful manner. He has written much in the Book of Romans about the gospel (the good news about Christ). So, Rome’s Christians have much to thank God for. God showed them his love in a wonderful way when Christ died for them (5:6-8). When they accepted Christ, God placed his Holy Spirit in their lives, to guide and to help them (8:9-11). God will do even more wonderful things for them in the future: he will adopt them fully as his children (8:18-21).

Paul also wanted to bring together the two groups in the church at Rome. Some of the Christians there were Jews (Israel’s people), and some were Gentiles (people from other nations). God’s promises to Israel have not ended (11:25-26); and God’s love for people from the other nations has not ended (11:12-15). Therefore, all God’s people should join together to give God thanks.

So, Paul ends the speech with a series of Bible passages that urge God’s people to praise him. The first of these comes from David’s song, when he praises God after the defeat of his enemies. It appears both in 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49. God had saved David from his enemies. We might think that David only praised God for the defeat of those nations. However, Paul reminds us that David praised God ‘among the nations’. In other words, people from those other nations joined with David to praise God. We can see that from such passages as 2 Samuel 15:18-21.

Joy for the people from every nation who trust Israel's God

(Romans 15:10)

Romans 15:10 repeats a line from Deuteronomy 32:43. That line is near the end of the song that God told Moses to teach to Israel’s people (Deuteronomy 31:19-22).

That song is a sad song. Its subject is the people in Israel who did not want to be loyal to God. The song records the great kindness that God had shown to their nation. It describes how some of Israel's people would choose to serve false gods and to follow evil behaviour. We can compare this with Paul’s reference to the same people (10:19-21), in which he repeats other words from the song (Deuteronomy 32:21).

In the song, the people become so evil that God wants to destroy their nation completely. However, God declares that, for his own honour, he would not do that (Deuteronomy 32:26-27). Instead, he would permit them to suffer great troubles, and their enemies would attack them fiercely.

Through all their troubles, God is waiting for the time when his people will no longer depend upon themselves (Deuteronomy 32:36). Then, at last, they will be ready to trust him, and God will act powerfully on their behalf (compare Zechariah 12:7 to 13:1). That is the time when God will save the whole of Israel (11:25-27).

So, the song urges the inhabitants of both earth and heaven to praise God with great joy. Of course, the nations or Gentiles of Romans 15:10 are not the enemies who hate Israel; God is punishing those enemies (Deuteronomy 32:42). Rather, the joy is for the people from every nation who themselves trust in Israel’s God. They have great joy because Israel’s people are returning to the true God. So, that event brings happiness to the whole world, as Isaiah 55:12 describes in a word-picture (11:12).

People everywhere should praise God for his love to Israel

(Romans 15:11)

The author and singers of Psalm 117 urge people everywhere to praise God. People from every nation and every group of people on earth should praise him, they declare.

The reason that they give is extraordinary; however, perhaps we do not realise that when we first read the Psalm. The singers mention God’s love and his faithfulness, in other words, the fact that he always carries out his promises.

That is extraordinary because the singers refer to God’s love ‘to us’ (Psalm 117:2), in other words, to Israel. The author of the Psalm and all its original singers belonged to Israel. Also, God’s promises are firstly to Israel, rather than the other nations (9:4). So, people in every nation should praise God for his love and faithfulness to Israel (15:8-9).

We ask why people in other nations should praise God for his love to Israel. The answer is that God uses Israel to show his kindness to people in other nations (11:12-15). God’s promises to Abraham, from whose family Israel came, were for the benefit of people in all nations (Genesis 12:3).

Christians have a special reason to thank God for his goodness to Israel (11:12). Christ belongs to Israel (9:5); so do Paul and all the first Christians. Israel’s people, the Jews, originally gave the Bible to Christians; Israel’s people taught the Christians how they could know God. So, in Psalm 117, Israel’s people are right to encourage the whole world to praise God with them. Israel’s God is the God of the whole world, and everyone should praise him.

Christ, the root of Jesse, will rule the whole world

(Romans 15:12)

People called Christ ‘the son of David’ (Mark 12:35) because he came from the family of King David, Israel’s king (Matthew 1:1-16). However, Isaiah 11:10 calls him ‘the root of Jesse’, who was David’s father. It is the root that supports the plant; the plant does not support the root (11:18). Christ did not receive his authority to rule from David; rather, David’s family received their authority to rule as kings from Christ.

Isaiah chapter 11 describes the future time when Christ’s rule over the whole world will be complete and perfect. At that time, judgements will be right and proper; cruelty will end, and the knowledge of God will fill the earth.

Isaiah 11:10 in the Hebrew language uses word-pictures, which Paul’s translation into the Greek language (in Romans 15:12) explains. In the Hebrew language, the root of Jesse (Christ) stands like a flag, and the nations gather round him. A flag is a sign that shows royal authority; therefore, the meaning is that Christ will rule the nations. The nations do not gather round him to oppose his rule; but rather they gather gladly to accept his rule. They have suffered so much, for so long, from the actions of cruel and wicked rulers. So, the beginning of Christ’s good and perfect rule on earth gives them the most wonderful hope for the future.

The rule of Christ, the king of Israel, will be wonderful news for the whole world. In fact, his rule is already wonderful news for the Christians from every nation, who have accepted his rule over their lives. So, the Christians from every nation should join with Israel’s people to praise God with great joy (15:9-12).

Christians' hope

(Romans 15:13)

Paul ends here the long speech or sermon that he began in Romans 1:16. In it, he has fully explained the gospel (God’s message about Christ), so Paul ends with a message of hope. In the end, the gospel is always a message of hope, to everyone who accepts it. It is God’s good news for the world (5:8; 6:23).

For Christians, the word ‘hope’ has special meaning. It is not something uncertain, like luck or chance (Hebrews 6:19). Rather, ‘hope’ means the fact, or certain knowledge, that God will do good things in the future. In fact, he is already doing these things, even when our circumstances seem to show the opposite (8:28).

That knowledge gives joy and inner peace to God’s people. Paul knew that joy even when he was in prison (Philippians 1:17-19 and 4:4). He also knew that inner peace, an attitude that caused him to be content even in the most difficult circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12). Rome’s Christians would have very serious troubles a few years later. So, Paul prayed that they would know that same joy and peace. That joy and peace would come to them as they trusted God more. As they believed God’s promises, their troubles in this world would matter much less to them. Instead, their attention would be upon the wonderful things that God was doing in their lives (8:18).

Especially, they should not depend on their own strength, but on the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). They could not deal with their own troubles, but God’s Spirit was actively working in their lives (8:9-14). So, in every situation, the Holy Spirit would remind them of God’s wonderful plans for them (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). In every situation, they could be confident about God’s love for them (8:31-39). In every situation, their hope and trust in God could become stronger.

Paul's explanation of the purpose of his book

(Romans 15:14-16)

The main part of the Book of Romans is a speech or sermon that Paul wrote for the church in Rome (Romans 1:16 to 15:13). In that section, Paul was teaching the Bible, so he says little about himself.

After that, Paul adds some more personal notes; he begins with this explanation of his book. The original book was probably on parchment, a kind of paper that people made from animal skins. Paul would not waste any of the parchment. He considered it precious, because an animal had to die to make it. Perhaps that thought reminded Paul of the work of priests in the temple, God’s house in Jerusalem. There, too, God had provided the death of animals so that people could have a relationship with him.

Paul knew that Rome’s Christians were capable people, with good church leaders. The success of their church was evidence of that (1:8). Paul recognised that they were able to correct and to teach the members of their own church. Paul had never visited their church; perhaps it would offend some of them that Paul had written so boldly to them.

So Paul urges Rome’s Christians not to allow that to upset them. Paul was just doing what a priest did: he was carrying out the work that God had given to him. The priests carried out their work for God so that other people could have a right relationship with God. For Paul, that work was among the Gentiles, people from nations other than Israel. They belonged to nations that had not previously known God; God was making them into his holy people (1 Peter 2:9-10). Paul was not trying to achieve that wonderful change by means of his own words. Instead, he declared the gospel (the good news about Christ); and he depended not on his own strength, but on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul shows that he is not behaving in a proud manner

(Romans 15:17-18)

The first Christian churches had a serious problem with certain men who wanted to be leaders. These men spoke in an impressive manner, but they were not declaring the truth about Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4). They acted with great authority, but their authority did not come from the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 11:20). They claimed to work for God, but they were actually serving the devil (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They had been especially active at Corinth, from where Paul wrote the Book of Romans.

Paul too had written very boldly to the Christians at Rome (15:15). So, Paul needed to show that he was not behaving in a proud and powerful manner, like those wrong leaders. Paul himself refused to be proud about anything, except what God had done in his life. However, it was his duty to speak clearly and boldly about the gospel (God’s message about Christ).

In particular, Paul knew that he had a special work to do for God (11:13). He mentions that work in Romans 1:5, and he repeats the same phrase here (15:18). It was to help people from the Gentile nations to obey God. The Gentile nations are all the nations except Israel, Paul’s own nation - although Paul was eager to help Israel’s people, too (11:13-14). However, in all the Gentile nations, people were serving false gods. So, it was an important and difficult task to bring knowledge of the true God to those nations.

When Gentiles became Christians, Paul was still careful not to be proud. Paul knew that the honour for that success belonged to Christ: Christ had done this wonderful thing, through Paul’s work. It was Christ, and not Paul, who died for them. Christ had sent Paul to them with his (Christ’s) message: Paul did not send himself. Christ had worked in their lives, by the power of his Holy Spirit. Paul had simply obeyed Christ.

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

(Romans 15:19)

Illyricum is the country that today is called Albania. It is on the north west side of Greece. Paul mentions it as the furthest place where he had declared the gospel (the good news about Christ). That is, it was the furthest place in a north and west direction. In the opposite direction (south and east), the furthest place was Jerusalem. The two places are about 1000 miles (1600 kilometres) apart.

God had given Paul the desire to declare the gospel in places where people did not know Christ. There were many such places in the nations round the Mediterranean sea, between Jerusalem and Illyricum. The Book of Acts records Paul's principal journeys, and some of the main events on those journeys. However, much of the time Paul was probably travelling to small towns, where he only remained for a few days. The Book of Acts does not give the details of those journeys. Also, it does not record his journey to or towards Illyricum; nor most of the events in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. Clearly, Paul did much more than even the Book of Acts records.

Paul did not choose where he would go. Instead, he prayed and he allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him (Acts 16:6-10). Paul depended very much on the power of the Holy Spirit to do this work. He himself was not strong enough to do it - he depended on Christ for the strength to do God's work (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Like all the first Christians, Paul did not depend on words alone as he declared the gospel. In every place, the Holy Spirit was active and powerful (Mark 16:16-19; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4). God cured ill people, and astonishing things happened. During the lives of those first Christians, God did even more wonderful things than he did during Christ's life on earth (John 14:12).

A church leader's work in places where there are no Christians

(Romans 15:20-21)

Most church leaders work in churches that other people established many years before. That arrangement has many advantages. The church already has members who can support the leader's work; the church may have a building and it may be able to pay the leader (1 Corinthians 9:7-11). In 1 Corinthians 3:5-10, Paul approved of that arrangement.

However, it was not the special work that God had given to Paul. Paul's special work was to establish churches in towns and cities where, previously, there were no Christians. Some Christian leaders still do that work today.

Paul compared his work to a builder who lays a foundation. The foundation of any building must be good, otherwise the building will fall (Matthew 7:24-27). In 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Paul compared that foundation to Christ; in other words, his work was to introduce Christ to the people. Then other church leaders could follow him, even as another builder can work on the first builder's foundation. However, the church must always depend on Christ - without Christ, the church fails completely in its purposes.

It was hard work. Paul usually had companions who helped him, for example Barnabas and Silas. However, Paul usually did physical work to earn his money (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Often, people opposed his message and they dealt cruelly with him.

In such situations, Paul could remind himself of Isaiah 52:15. By means of Paul and leaders like him, God is carrying out a promise that he made long ago. People who have heard nothing about Christ previously, can know him for themselves. People who previously have not heard God's message, can understand it.

Paul's plans to visit Rome and Spain

(Romans 15:22-24)

For several years, Paul had worked mainly in the countries now called Greece and Turkey. The names of some of these regions at that time are familiar to Bible readers today; they include Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10), Galatia and Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8 - Asia was then the name of a smaller region round Ephesus).

Paul believed that his work in those regions had now finished. God, who had guided him to those places, was guiding him elsewhere. There was still plenty of work for other Christian leaders to do in those regions, of course. However, perhaps churches now existed in most of the principal towns and cities. So Paul made himself ready to go to another region, Spain, where no Christians had yet gone. The people there needed the gospel, God's message about Christ, very much (Matthew 28:19-20). The gospel is God's message to the whole world (1:14-16).

Paul was very sure that God was sending him to another place. He even told the church leaders at Ephesus that they would never again see his face (Acts 20:25). In this passage in Romans, Paul seems to have definite plans. After he has been to Jerusalem, he will come to Rome, and then to Spain. However in that speech in Ephesus, just a few weeks later, Paul's plans seem much more uncertain. By then, the Holy Spirit had shown him that, in every place, Paul must expect troubles, and to be in prison (Acts 20:23).

We know from Acts 28:11-31 that Paul did reach Rome, as a prisoner. The Bible does not record whether or not he reached Spain.

Important events in Paul's work for God

(Romans 15:25)

This verse shows clearly when in Paul's life he wrote the Book of Romans.

The Book of Acts records three long journeys that Paul travelled in order to declare the gospel (the good news about Christ). The first of these, which he travelled with Barnabas, is in Acts 13:1 to 14:28. It ends with the meeting of the apostles (first church leaders) in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 15.

Paul's second journey, with Silas, is in Acts 15:36 to 18:22. During that journey, Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months while he established the church there. That journey ends with Paul's return to Antioch, which was Paul's own church (compare Acts 11:25-26; 13:1-3 and 18:22-23).

The third journey is in Acts 18:23 to 21:19. During this journey, Paul spent two years in Ephesus and he established a large church there. While he was still in Ephesus, he encouraged Corinth's Christians to collect a gift for the poor Christians in Judea (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). Paul then went through Macedonia into Corinth. There, Paul joined the men who were taking that gift to Jerusalem.

Paul probably wrote the Book of Romans during that last visit to Corinth. The book does not mention Corinth but Cenchrea (16:1) was near Corinth (Acts 18:18). So, Paul wrote Romans just a few weeks after he wrote 2 Corinthians. He wrote 1 Corinthians about a year previously.

This gift was an extremely important event for Christians in the new churches that Paul had established. Five books of the Bible have references to it, or to Paul's journey to take it to Jerusalem. (In addition to Acts, Romans and 1 Corinthians, Galatians 2:10 refers to it. However, the longest explanation of it is in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9).

Gifts from Macedonia and Achaia

(Romans 15:26)

The church at Jerusalem was the first Christian church in the world. Since its beginning, many of its members were very poor. So, the first Christians there gladly chose to share their possessions with each other (Acts 2:44-45). Not long after that, they made special arrangements to provide for the poor widows in their church (Acts 6:1-6),

The Christians in Jerusalem were the first to suffer for their belief in Christ - and Paul (then called Saul) was personally responsible for many of their troubles (Acts 8:1-3). Many of them lost their homes and their jobs; several had to go to prison (see Hebrews 10:32-34).

After Paul became a Christian, he desired very much to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:10). His opportunity to do that came when he established the church at Corinth, in Achaia. The new Christians in Corinth were eager to do God's work, and many of them could afford to give. So Paul encouraged them to collect a gift for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. After he returned to Corinth, he would be able to take the gift to Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

On the way back to Corinth, Paul passed through Macedonia. There, something happened that Paul had not expected. Macedonia's Christians were very poor, and Paul had not asked them to give. However, they heard about the gift that Paul was taking to Jerusalem. So, they urged Paul to take their gifts, too (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). They were eager to give; they considered it an honour to be able to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. They trusted God to provide what they themselves needed (see Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians 4:19).

The love that Gentile Christians showed to Jewish Christians

(Romans 15:27)

Paul has written much in his letter about the love that Gentile Christians should have for the Jews (11:11-28). The Jews are Israel's people, from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the Gentiles are people from the other nations. In Romans 13:8, Paul describes love as a debt that Christians owe. They show that love when they act to help other people.

Christians have a general duty to show love to other people, and they should not expect anything in return (Matthew 5:43-48). However, Gentile Christians have a particular duty to love the Jews, because they have already received much in return. It was to the Jews that God originally gave the Bible and so many other good things (9:4-5). By means of Christ, they have now shared these benefits with the world (15:8-10). Gentile Christians receive these benefits as they join with the Jews as the people of God (Ephesians 2:11-19). In addition, all the first Christians were Jews; it was them who originally taught God's message about Christ, the gospel, to people from other nations.

The Christians in Macedonia and Achaia showed their love in a very practical way. They were mainly Gentile Christians. They collected a large gift to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem, who were Jewish Christians. They gave gladly; in fact, Paul did not even ask Macedonia's Christians to give (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Each person gave what he himself had chosen to give (2 Corinthians 9:5-7). They considered it a wonderful opportunity to be able to help the Jewish Christians in this way.

Paul's words for this 'gift'

(Romans 15:28)

Paul's subject in Romans 15:25-28 is a gift that he had collected for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul's choice of words from the Greek language to describe this gift is interesting. He chooses not to use the usual word for a gift anywhere in this passage.

So, in verse 25 he uses the word DIAKONEO, which means to serve. In other words, by means of this gift, Paul is serving Jerusalem's Christians, like someone who serves a meal. His work was like the work of the 7 men who shared the gifts among the poor widows in Acts 6:1-6. We call those men 'Deacons', which comes from this word.

In verse 26, the word is KOINONIA, which means fellowship or friendship. The idea is that, by means of this gift, Christians were sharing together.

In verse 27, Paul uses the word SARKIKOS, which means fleshly or natural things. He contrasts it with PNEUMATIKOS, which means things of the spirit. In other words, Christians have received much more than they can ever give. Their money belongs to this natural world; it cannot last (Matthew 6:19-21). However, they have received life in their spirits that can never end (John 3:16; John 10:10).

Here in verse 28, Paul uses the word KARPOS, the usual word for fruit. In Israel, people gave the first part of their harvest as a special gift to God (Leviticus 23:9-11; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; 2 Kings 4:42-44). Paul was taking to Jerusalem the first major gift from Christians in the new churches that he had established. None of the people in these churches had been Christians before; in fact none of their towns had ever had churches before. It was the first major gift that all these new Christians were giving to God. That fact made this gift very special.

A full blessing

(Romans 15:29)

Paul told Rome's Christians that he would come to them with a full blessing from Christ. Blessings are the good things that God says and does for people. A full blessing means a very wonderful blessing. It satisfies us completely; we believe that we would not be able to receive anything more. The word-picture in Psalm 23:5 is of a full cup that simply cannot contain anything more; so, the wine spills over because God's goodness never ends.

Paul believed that such a blessing was coming to the Christian churches because of the gift in Romans 15:25-28. In Malachi 3:8-10, God promises to give a blessing like that when his people give. The gift that Paul was taking to Jerusalem was a very special gift. It was for the benefit of some very poor, but very holy Christians. Christians from several nations joined to make that gift to Judea's Jewish Christians. So, in a very special way, that gift united them with the Jewish Christians (compare Ephesians 2:11-18). (The Jewish people are Israel's people; in Genesis 12:3, God promises to give his blessing through them).

Paul also considered that this gift finished his work in the countries east of Rome (15:23-24). His future work would be in Rome and further west, perhaps in Spain (15:24). So, Paul believed that he would bring Christ's blessing with him on his future journeys.

When Paul actually reached Rome, he arrived as a prisoner. However, he was still able to meet many people and to declare to them God's message, the gospel (Acts 28:16-31). Only a few years later, the Christians in Rome suffered greatly because of the government's cruelty. However, that cruelty could not stop God's work (8:31-39). Even as they suffered, many more people became Christians. The blessings that God gives in this world do sometimes come with troubles (Mark 10:30). However, there will be no such troubles in heaven, or in the future when Christ rules (8:18). God's goodness to his people is truly wonderful.

Paul requests prayer

(Romans 15:30)

Paul often asked Christians to pray for him (Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

It seems clear that Paul was sincere in this request. He himself was praying constantly (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 and 14:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The first Christians all believed that God acts powerfully because of his people's prayers (James 5:16-18).

Paul saw prayer as a kind of battle against the evil spirits that oppose God's work (Ephesians 6:12 and 6:18). We ourselves are not strong enough to defeat those evil forces (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), so we must ask God for his help. Nothing can ever defeat God's power (8:31-39). Therefore, when Christians pray with faith (belief and trust in God), God acts powerfully on their behalf (Mark 11:22-24; 1 John 5:14-15).

Paul had made clear plans for the future: to go to Jerusalem, then to Rome, then to Spain. He believed that God wanted him to go to those places. However, Paul knew that he could not succeed in any of these plans by his own efforts. The journeys were long and difficult, and many people opposed him. In addition, the devil and his evil spirits were trying to stop Paul, so that he could not do God's work. So, Paul very much needed God's help, and the proper way to request that is by prayer. That is why Paul asked the Christians to join with him in prayer (Matthew 18:19).

A place to rest

(Romans 15:31-32)

On a long journey, we need places where we can rest. For God's people, their whole lives seem like such a journey (Genesis 47:9; Psalm 119:54; Hebrews 11:13-16). Their real home is not on this earth, but with Christ in heaven (John 14:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23). However, as Christ guides them through this world, he also provides places for them to pause and to rest (Psalm 23:1-3).

Paul's life really was a continuous journey; he was constantly travelling. However, God provided various places where Paul could remain for a period of time. Paul did not stop his work at those times. Rather, he was free from many of the pressures and strains that he usually had in his life. So, he could work quietly and perhaps he had more opportunity for rest and prayer.

One such place for Paul was Corinth. He probably wrote the Book of Romans on his return to that city. Paul describes his plan for that visit in 1 Corinthians 16:6-7. He hoped to spend the winter in Greece with Corinth's young and eager Christians. Acts 20:2-3 shows that he actually did remain there for three months.

Paul expected no such opportunity for rest in Jerusalem, the next city that he visited. He already knew that many people there opposed him fiercely (see Acts 9:28-30, which describes his experiences on a previous visit there). Paul was right to expect trouble there, as Acts chapters 21 to 23 show.

However, Paul hoped for a time of rest at Rome. He probably did not expect that rest as a prisoner - however, that is what happened (Acts 28:16-31). For two years, Paul remained a prisoner there, unable to leave his own home. During that time, Paul met with people and he was free, although still a prisoner, to teach God's message.

The unusual way that the Book of Romans ends

(Romans 15:33)

The Book of Romans ends in an unusual matter. Normally, Paul blesses his readers simply, and then the letter ends. However, Paul blesses the Christians in Rome four times (15:5-6; 15:13; 15:33; 16:20), but still the letter does not end.

That reminds us of a letter from a loving friend. Our friend does not want to say 'goodbye'. So, he continues to write while space remains on the page.

Perhaps Paul did write like that. God had given him a great love, even for Christians whom he had never met (Romans 1:8-10; Colossians 2:1). It is right and good for a church leader to have an attitude of love towards the people whom he serves (1 Corinthians chapter 13; 2 Corinthians 11:11). However, perhaps there were more practical reasons why Paul wrote like that.

It seems that a Christian lady called Phoebe took Paul's letter from Corinth to Rome (16:1). She sailed from the port of Cenchrea, near Corinth. Her sailing boat could not leave the port until the wind was in the right direction. So, while the sailors waited for the wind, Paul would have more time to complete his letter.

However, perhaps Paul always intended to finish his letter in this way. He was familiar with poems in the Hebrew language, which sometimes express the same idea in four different ways (Deuteronomy 28:3-6; Psalm 91:5-6; Romans 15:9-12). So, Paul would have considered it very beautiful to bless Rome's Christians not just once, but four times. It is also very beautiful that he ends the letter not with a friendly greeting, but with words to praise God (16:25-27). So, he turns his readers' attention away from himself, and instead to God.

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