SUMMARY: | Paul has finished the fourth major section of the book of Romans. Now he concludes this letter with some personal notes, plans and greetings. |
I. The Apostle’s Praise and Purpose | VERSES 15:14-16 | |
A. Paul’s Praise: | ||
1. The Conviction: | And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced | (14a) |
2. The Qualities: | ||
a. First: | that you yourselves are full of goodness, | (14b) |
b. Second: | filled with all knowledge | (14c) |
c. Third | and able also to admonish one another. | (14d) |
B. Paul’s Purpose: | ||
1. His Action: | But I have written very boldly to you on some points | (15a) |
2. His Goal: | so as to remind you again, | (15b) |
3. His Authority: | ||
a. The Grace Given: | because of the grace that was given me from God, | (15c) |
b. The Position Obtained: | to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, | (16a) |
c. The Sacrifice Rendered: | so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. | (16b) |
II. The Apostle’s Boast | VERSES 15:17-19 | |
A. The Introductory Statement: | Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. | (17) |
B. The Explanation: | ||
1. The Lord’s Work: | ||
a. The Statement: | For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, | (18a) |
b. The Results: | resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, | (18b) |
c. The Manner: | in the power of signs and wonders, | (19a) |
d. The Means: | in the power of the Spirit; | (19b) |
2. The Servant’s Success: | ||
a. The Area: | so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum | (19c) |
b. The Action: | I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. | (19d) |
III. The Apostle’s Aspiration | VERSES 15:20-21 | |
A. The Statement: | ||
1. The Desire: | And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, | (20a) |
2. The Reason: | so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; | (20b) |
B. The Scripture: | but as it is written, “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.” (Isaiah 52:15) |
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