The Gospel Among The Nations Series

Paul had a driving passion. That passion was to follow his Lord Jesus Christ and make him known among the nations. When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, he was toward the end of what we call his third missionary journey. He had spent the last twenty years of his life focused on making Christ known through Asia.

That passion helps explain a lot about the book of Romans. It explains why Paul already knew 27 people who lived in Rome and whom he mentions by name. He had never been there, but these were his partners in the gospel ministry over the past twenty years.

His passion to know Christ and make him known explains why he longed to go to Rome. His driving motivation was the gospel of Jesus Christ. He would want to do everything possible to fan into flame the vibrant church there.

His passion explains why Paul goes into such detail about what sin is and the spiritual consequences of sin. It explains why he so thoroughly articulates the gospel and justification by faith. It explains why the book of Romans has a theological foundation that would keep a church and disciples of Christ spiritually healthy.

His driving passion explains why despite how much he longs to go to Rome he does not plan to stay long but instead move on to Spain where the gospel had not yet reached. It explains why Paul constantly prayed for the church there. It explains why Paul is full of thankfulness that their faith in Christ is reported all over the world. It can all be understood in context that the most important thing for the Apostle Paul was that the gospel goes to all the nations.

The ministry of prayer

There is much for Paul to thank God about for the church in Rome at the time he wrote this letter. It was reported all over the world about the faith of the church there. It is estimated that there were less than one thousand believers, but they were making a big stir.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. (Romas 8-10)

It would encourage Paul and make him thank God for the faith of the church in Rome having a reputation around the world. Paul’s goal was to take the gospel to all places and people and this would help him. A good testimony is of tremendous value. Everyone was hearing what was happening in Rome.

Paul is always praying for the church. As God is his witness he has been praying faithfully for the church in Rome. He has many colleagues there and is praying for them. The city of Rome was the capital of a vast empire so for the gospel to take hold was so significant.

Mutual encouragement

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romas 1:11-12)

As iron sharpens iron, so we sharpen one another. Paul had a desire to strengthen the church in Rome but in the process, he anticipated growing in his faith because of them. Paul is going to build up the church and in so doing he will be encouraged himself and built up in his faith.

Throughout his missionary journeys Paul was going to new places, but he also would strengthen the church. Paul would be longing to see some of his most faithful partners when he reached Rome. In Rome he would also be built up, not just pouring out but receiving spiritual encouragement also. Paul states his ambition to preach the gospel where Christ is not known. (Romans 15:20)

There would be long time encouragers for him like Aquilla and Pricila who he had lived with and labored with in Corinth. In Corinth they worked together making tents and they had also worked together in Ephesus. He knows that seeing his old friends and meeting those whose faith was being talked about all over the world would encourage him.

Spiritual Harvest

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. (Romas 1:13)