I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Previously, we consdiered the fourteenth chapter of Romans where Paul continued his practical instructions by directing the Roman Christians on matters of opinion.

                                                             1.      The two basic instructions regarding matters of opinion were to accept one another and not to judge one another.

                                                             2.      These instructions were for matters of opinion only and should not be improperly applied to doctrinal issues.

B.      Now, in the final chapters of Romans, we will see that Paul continued these instructions and expanded them.  He also gave some final exhortations and sent his greetings to the brethren.

II.      AN EXHORTATION TO UNITY

A.      Paul added to his previous instructions by urging the Roman Christians to imitate Christ’s selflessness (Rom. 15:1-4).

                                                             1.       “We who are strong” (v. 1) should not only abide by the instructions of chapter 14 but should also go even farther by helping those with weak faith to bear their weaknesses.

a.       Whereas the previous instruction was that we should not be negative influences on weak brethren (14:1, 13-15), this instruction calls upon us to become positive influences upon the weak.

b.       This positive influence may be exerted by helping to prevent a brother from sinning against his conscience (doing what pleases a brother – v. 2) and by teaching him to leave his weak belief for stronger faith (edifying – v. 2).

                                                             2.      To demonstrate this selflessness, Paul invoked the example of Christ.

a.       Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 69:9 by placing our personal interests above His own and bearing our reproaches (see Phil. 2:3-8).

b.       This prophecy of Christ and all Scriptures were written for our benefit so that by following these instructions we might be provoked to perseverance and encouragement, which leads to hope.

B.      Furthermore, Paul expressed his desire for these Christians to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus (Rom. 15:5-13).

                                                             1.      Consider how God gives perseverance and encouragement in the same way that He grants unity.

a.       Verses 4-5 indicate that perseverance and encouragement are given by God through the means of the Scriptures.

b.       Likewise, God also grants Christians “to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” (v. 5) by means of the Scriptures.  God’s word is the basis of spiritual unity.

                                                             2.      The result of this unity is that Christians may glorify God together with one voice.  This is what Christ intended for His church (John 17:20-23; Eph. 4:1-13).

                                                             3.      Therefore, Christians are urged again to accept one another.

a.       The basis for Christians to accept one another is that Christ has also accepted them.  See Romans 14:1, 3.

b.       Christ’s acceptance should have bridged the differences between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, for He became a servant to them all.

i.         To the Jews, He was a servant to “confirm the promises given to the fathers” (v. 8).

ii.        To the Gentiles, He was a servant to “glorify God for His mercy” (v. 9), just as the Scriptures declared (quoted are Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1, and Isaiah 11:10).

III.   PAUL’S EXPLANATIONS

A.      After expressing his confidence in the Roman Christians, Paul explained why he wrote to them as he did (Rom. 15:14-19).

                                                             1.      The boldness of this epistle to the Romans was not an indication of Paul’s lack of confidence in them, but rather it was an expression of the grace of God through his ministry.

a.       Much of this epistle is very bold, asserting that the Gentiles were corrupt and that most Jews were lost outside of Christ.  It is also argumentative on many points, anticipating the opponents’ arguments before they are made.

b.       This was not an example of Paul lording his authority over the Romans, but rather he was telling them what they needed to know by the grace of God.

                                                             2.      The power that Paul asserted was not of himself, but rather it was through Jesus Christ that he boldly preached the gospel across the Roman Empire.

B.      Paul also explained why he had not seen them personally, but that he had plans to come to Rome (Rom. 15:20-33).

                                                             1.      The plain explanation that Paul gave was that there were people in other places that needed his attention more than the Romans did.

a.       The gospel had been preached in Rome even though Paul had not been there.

b.       Therefore, Paul went to other places where the gospel had not been preached.

                                                             2.      Now that those other needs were satisfied, Paul made plans to travel to Rome.

a.       Notice that Paul’s first priority was to deliver the funds that he collected from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia for the relief of the saints at Judea.

b.       After this, he planned to go to Rome via Spain.

i.         This epistle appears to have been written from Corinth toward the end of Paul’s third missionary journey (A.D. 57).

ii.        During this time, Paul was constantly warned by the Holy Spirit of the dangers that awaited him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23).  Certainly, this is why he solicited the prayers of the Roman Christians.

iii.      Paul did eventually make his way to Rome, but not according to his plans.  Instead, he was delivered years later as a prisoner (Acts 21:27-28:31).

IV.    CLOSING REMARKS

A.      Paul’s final comments to the Romans began with some personal greetings (Rom. 16:1-16).

                                                             1.      Paul commended Phoebe to the Romans.  She was from the church at Cenchrea (near Corinth) and apparently brought this epistle to them.

                                                             2.      Notice the depth of Paul’s personal knowledge of the Roman Christians even though he had never been there.

                                                             3.      Also notice the presence of Aquila and Priscilla, with whom Paul had stayed at Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-3).  They had once been banished from Rome with all other Jews, but apparently had returned to work with the church.

B.      He also gave one final warning against false teachers (Rom. 16:17-20).

                                                             1.      Christians are urged to turn away from those who “cause dissentions and hindrances contrary to the teaching” of the gospel.

                                                             2.      Such men, who are false teachers, are described as slaves to their own appetites and deceivers with flattering speech.

                                                             3.      Again, Paul expressed his confidence in the Romans, but he also expressed his concern for them, saying, “I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (v. 19).

                                                             4.      A final assurance was given that they would triumph over Satan through the God of peace.

C.      The letter was closed with some final salutations and a word of praise for God (Rom. 16:21-27).

V.      CONCLUSION

A.      This concludes our study of Paul’s epistle to the Romans.  Although portions of it can be challenging, it is well within our ability to understand God’s will if we will apply ourselves to study (Eph. 5:17).

B.      Let us close our study with the same message that Paul used to close this epistle: “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Rom. 16:21).