Romans 15:15-17

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 109 Chapter 15:15 – 17

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 15 “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,”
1. These verse fill us in on one indisputable fact, Paul was an Apostle to the Gentiles and to the Gentile Churches. Verse 16 “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles…” Gentiles sometime forget how blessed we are to be what we are. We sometimes forget how special Paul was and is to the Gentile churches, there is a reason God used him to pen 13 book in the New Testament, because it is mostly to the Gentiles and the churches. Paul was a great man used greatly of God and we are blessed because of it.
2. “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort…” Boldly because he did not know them, he had never been to this church however he had heard of their faith and how strong it was. They were not without their issues (no church is) but they were strong in faith.
3. No church is without the need of correction, even if they are doing everything right, every church has some sort of issues.
4. God writes to us, this is how God speaks to us, we are no different than the rest of Christians since Jesus was crucified. 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
5. “…as putting you in mind…” This is causing you to remember, we need to be reminded of the things of God, we are so forgetful, as unfortunately as it is we sometimes loose sight of how blessed of God we are, sometimes we just need to be reminded. 2 Peter 1:12 “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”
6. “…because of the grace that is given to me of God,” – and what grace it was, remember what he was and what he is today? Paul was a great man and great for the Gentiles because that is what God made him by grace. – Men sometimes think they are self made; people sometimes thinks a man is self made, but a great man is made by Gods grace. Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
2. Verse 16 “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”

1. “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles…” – this shows the pride Paul had in being an Apostle to the Gentiles, remember he was a Jew, a Hebrew of Hebrews; it is amazing how God works.

a. The word “minister” carries a little different meaning - a public servant, that is, a functionary in the Temple or Gospel – This carries the meaning of one with authority, it would be linked to one with civil authority today. What he said and wrote carried more authority. Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”

b. Paul was God most trusted servant in the New Testament outside of Jesus Christ, his place in heaven will be great.

2. “…ministering the gospel of God…” This is what his call was, while he did so much for the Lords church his primary call was to preach the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." - 1 Timothy 1:11 "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."
3. “…that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” The offering up is to present the gospel which he was called of God to do, but the saving of souls was Gods job, it has always been Gods job. Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
2. Verse 17 “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.”

1. Anything Paul accomplished material wise or spiritually was not for his own personal glory, but to Gods glory.
2. 2 Corinthians 2:14 - 16 "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (15.) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: (16.) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
3. Everything is through Jesus Christ, He is the head of the church, He is the Saviour of mankind, and He is our way to God, He gets all glory for all accomplishments.