Paul asks the Roman church to partner with him in his mission work to Spain, give to impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, and pray for him under persecution.
These are only preliminary, unedited outlines and may differ from Andy’s final message.
But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen
In this passage, Paul makes three calls to the Roman Christians to partner with works that extend beyond their local church. Essential to this is a sense of being part of the “Universal Church”… the one Body of Christ:
1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body– whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free– and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The three works Paul wants the Roman Christians to partner with are 1) his mission work in Spain; 2) the relief of poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem; 3) protection from persecution for Paul from hostile unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem.
This timeless call shows the perspective all Christians should have in every generation for needs and works beyond their immediate geographical region, especially in these three timeless categories: missions, poverty, persecuted Christians.
I. Partnering with Paul’s Mission Work:
Backdrop: Paul has been explaining why he hasn’t been to visit the church at Rome yet:
Romans 15:18-22 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done– 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” 22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Amazingly, Paul essentially claims that this first phase of work has been done in that whole region—all of Asia Minor and Greece!!
Romans 15:23-24 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.
Q: What is the significance of that claim? How should we praise God for such rapid progress of the gospel in those early years?
Paul’s appeal for help:
Romans 15:23-24 … since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
And again:
Romans 15:28 So after I have completed this task [of bringing the offering to the poor Jerish Christians in Jerusalem] and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
1. What assistance do you think Paul wants from the church in Rome?
2. Why is it vital for local churches to look beyond their own immediate surroundings and think about unreached people groups in distant lands?
3. What should our attitude be about supporting worldwide missions in our generation?
4. What does Paul mean by this statement:
Romans 15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
As part of the answer, look back at the beginning of Romans:
Romans 1:11-12 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.
II. Partnering with Poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem:
Before visiting Rome on his way to Spain, Paul says he has a vital work to do in Jerusalem:
Romans 15:25-28 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
This issue of the poor among the saints in Jerusalem (poor Jewish Christians) comes up often in the New Testament.
First, the early church had to pool resources to care for the poor and needy amongst them:
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
Acts 4:34-35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Behind this was the edict that the unbelieving Jewish religious leaders had made concerning Jesus Christ, even while he was still alive:
John 9:22 … already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
This resulted in immediate poverty, for Jewish Christians would be blackballed, unable to buy or sell among the Jewish community.
When Paul got his call to be “apostle to the Gentiles,” the apostles in Jerusalem acknowledged that call, with one stipulation:
Galatians 2:9-10 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
“Remember the poor” = Gentile Christians giving financially to support Jewish Christians.
In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul talks about the offering from among the Gentile Churches in Macedonia and Achaia, the very thing he mentions here:
Romans 15:26 Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
Paul’s sense of the obligation Gentile churches have in this matter:
Romans 15:26-27 Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
This is similar to the logic of supporting faithful preachers financially:
Galatians 6:6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
1. Comment on Paul’s sense of the obligation Gentile Christians have to the Jews for their rich spiritual blessings. How should this shape our thoughts even to this day?
2. How should this rid Gentile Christians from any anti-Semitism?
3. How does this offering stand as a pattern for Christians giving to needy Christians who are not in their own local churches?
4. How do these verses affect our priority structure in giving:
1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
5. In Philippians, Paul speaks of their financial giving in light of eternity. How do these verses help us think about that?
Philippians 4:15-17 not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
Matthew 6:20 store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
III. Partnering with Paul in His Persecutions:
Romans 15:30-33 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1. What danger does Paul see for himself in Jerusalem?
2. How does he want the Roman Christians to join him in his struggle? Why should the Roman Christians care about Paul’s persecutions?
1 Corinthians 12:26-27 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
3. What is a timeless application for this theme? How can we act on this now?
