Romans 15:20-22

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 111 Chapter 15:20 - 22

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 20 “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:”
1. The signs and wonders in verse 19 were marks of identification that these men were sent from God, the reason we do not have them today is because the word of God is complete; it is our identification. 1 Corinthians 13:6 - 10 "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7.) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8.) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9.) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10.) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." – it is believed that “…But when that which is perfect is come… is the perfect and complete word of God. We no longer need signs and wonders nor do we need the ability to speak in tongues as signs, we recognize Gods men by doctrine.
2. Paul’s purpose in life was to please God, and to do Gods will, therefore he found it a waste of time to preach the gospel where it was already being preached. Paul took Gods word serious when God said to go; Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

a. Paul did a lot to write to churches but when it came to the gospel he wanted to take it where no man had ever taken it.

b. This is difficult today because Missionaries are around the world but some missionaries simply want to build on another mans work.

c. The churches have a command To Go or Send and if a missionary wants to just go and build on another mans work then maybe God did not send him.

2. Verse 21 “But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”
1. It is believes that Paul is quoting Isaiah 52:15 “So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.” – the Gentiles had been kept in the dark about Christ, this is why Paul was sent to them. So that they could hear and they could understand.
2. Isn’t wonderful that men cared enough to bring the truth of God to the Gentiles, to America, and etc. Men died to deliver both the Gospel and doctrinal truth to us and because of this we have it here in Texarkana.
3. Missionaries of that time actually worked to deliver the gospel at any cost. Now I am not saying that missionaries today will not sacrifice for the gospels sake but I wonder how many would remain in the mission fields without their abundant financial support, their bills all paid, their insurance, or their 401k retirement funds. I love missionaries but some of them are concerned more about support than they are about getting the Gospel to the lost world. I praise God for those men who want to be missionaries.
3. Verse 22 “For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.”

1. Paul would have loved to visit with this church but his mission work came first. This hindered his fleshly desires.
2. This reminds me of speaking at Bible Conferences on Sundays; I would love to but as a pastor I have a responsibility to be here every Sunday, not that I would not love to but my work as a Pastor comes first.
3. The hindering may have gone beyond his work of preaching the gospel to the world, sometimes Satan hinders us. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 - 18 "But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. (18.) Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.