Verses 14-33
At the fourteenth verse the Apostle, in the course of his long letter, turns to speak of these dear Christians at Rome, many of whom he had never seen. He will have much more to say of them in the last chapter; here he speaks of them in a general way: they were full of goodness, the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their hearts; filled with all knowledge, knowledge that is after godliness; able also to admonish one another, to put one another in mind of neglected or forgotten words or ways pleasing to God.
The Apostle Paul had a special position given to no other in the ordering of God, and of this he tells in the next two verses:
“But I have written to you the more boldly, brethren, in part as putting you in mind, because of the grace given to me by God, for me to be minister” (the word here signifies an administrator officially appointed) “of Christ Jesus to the nations, carrying on as a sacrificial service the message of glad tidings of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (N.T.).
He was, like a priest, offering up the Gentiles acceptable to God, because of the Spirit’s sanctification; as Aaron in Numbers 8 was to offer the Levites before the Lord, sanctified by their birth and by ceremonies for His service. The Apostle had therefore to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God, as he says in the 17th verse.
In the following verses Paul tells with becoming modesty, in language provided by the Holy Spirit, of his labors to that time among the Gentiles, an account of which is given in seven chapters (13 to 19) of the Acts. He would mention only that Christ had wrought by him, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem in a circuit round to Illyricum—through what we now know as Syria, Turkey and Greece, and to at least the border of Albania on the Adriatic Sea opposite Italy—he had fully preached the gospel.
He had gone where the name of Christ was unknown, announcing the salvation of God among the idolatrous Gentiles of the Roman world. Hearts had been opened to receive the gospel in Antioch of Pisidia, in Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Troas, Ephesus, Colosse and Laodicea in Asia; in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth and Cenchrea in Europe; and no doubt in many more places not named in the Acts.
That account of his travels in the service of his Master is plainly not intended to be a complete one, the Holy Spirit having caused to be recorded therein only what suited Him to tell as evidences of the grace of God in penetrating the strongholds of Satan.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-2723Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:23‑27) we have a bare outline of much that is not mentioned in the Acts, and in our chapter the devoted Apostle is telling that he has fully preached the gospel through that great region. We shall learn the full story in the glory above.
It had been for many years Paul’s wish to go to Rome, to visit the dear saints of God there, and now having no longer place in the scene of his past labor, he was looking forward to a journey to Spain, by way of the Roman capital, after the journey to Jerusalem upon which he was about to set out.
We know that the beloved Apostle reached Rome as a prisoner, and the pages of inspiration do not record his death, though the Second Epistle to Timothy was evidently written not long before it. It is not certain that he got to Spain, but as Paul was given his liberty for a time, it may be that that desire of his was fulfilled.
It will be asked, How did the gospel get to Rome? God has not told us. That it was not through Paul is clear from this epistle, and there is no indication in the Scriptures, that it was carried there by Peter; indeed Peter’s name is never linked with Rome in the Word of God, and we do not know that he ever reached the city. Tradition of course cannot be relied upon; the Word of God is our only safe resource. Some have thought that the gospel was carried to Rome by men from that city who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1010Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)).
The Apostle speaks (verses 25-28) of a contribution made by the believers of Macedonia and Achaia -northern and southern Greece—for the poor saints at Jerusalem. We read of this in 1 Corinthians 16:1-41Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. (1 Corinthians 16:1‑4), and 2 Corinthians 8-91Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 16But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 20Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. (2 Corinthians 8:1‑9:4) also. The contribution is referred to as a debt of love; the Gentiles, having been made partakers of the spiritual privileges of the Jewish believers, ought to supply their needs in fleshly things. All were one in Christ, we know; in Him, racial distinctions are gone, but the gospel was offered first to the Jews, and by believers among them carried to the Gentiles.
Paul was confident that when he should come to them at Rome, it would be in the fullness of the blessing of Christ; would the fact that he got there in chains alter that? Surely not. When at length he neared the city, the Apostle was met by the brethren at the Appii Forum, 43 miles outside of the capital, and seeing them, he “thanked God and took courage” (Acts 28:1515And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. (Acts 28:15)). A joyful meeting it must have been, both for the way-worn prisoner, and the Roman Christians. How vivid a contrast does not this present to the pageantry and pomp attached to the name of Christ in that city today!
Paul well knew the hearts of his unbelieving fellow-countrymen, and that his intended visit to Jerusalem might have serious results for himself (Acts 20:22-2322And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:22‑23)). Here (verses 30,32) he asks for the prayers of the believers at Rome in connection with that journey.
“But I beseech, you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in prayers for me to God” (N.T.).
The Apostle knew the value of the prayers of the godly, and counted on them for himself, first, that he might be delivered from the unbelieving Jews in Judea; second, that the ministry he was taking to the saints at Jerusalem in their poverty might be acceptable to them; and third, that he might come to the saints at Rome in joy by the will of God, and might be refreshed with them.
We have already found in this chapter the God of patience (or endurance) and consolation (encouragement), (verse 5); the God of hope, (verse 13), and now at the close, He is seen as the God of peace,
“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
We may know Him in all these characters here on earth: in the difficulties of the way, as the God of endurance and encouragement; if the way seems long, He gives us joy and peace in thinking of our heavenly hope; and amid the contentions of men who are strangers to His grace, He as the God of peace will be with us.
May He be better known, both to you, dear young Christian, and to the writer, in all three ways!
(To be continued, D. V.)