Rom 14-15:7 Disunity has always been a major problem with God’s people. Even the Old Testament records the civil wars and family fights among the people of Israel, and almost every local church mentioned in the New Testament had divisions to contend with. Rom 15:8 -16:27 One of the keywords in the closing chapters of Romans is “ministry.” In fact, Paul used three different Greek words to discuss the theme. In this section, Paul explained four different ministries.

1. WHENCHRISTIANS
DISAGREE
Romans 14:1–15:7

2. Disunity has always been a major problem
with God’s people. Even the OldTestament
records the civil wars and family fights
among the people of Israel, and almost
every local church mentioned in the New
Testament had divisions to contend with.

3. The Corinthians were divided over human leaders,
and some of the members were even suing each
other (1 Cor. 1:10–13; 6:1–8)
The Galatian saints were “biting and devouring” one
another (Gal. 5:15)
The saints in Ephesus and Colossae had to be
reminded of the importance of Christian unity
(Eph. 4:1–3; Col. 2:1–2)
In the church at Philippi, two women were at odds
with each other and, as a result, were splitting the
church (Phil. 4:1–3)
Some of
these
problems
stemmed
from the
backgrounds
of the
believers in
the churches.

4. ReceiveOne
Another
(Rom. 14:1–12)
Paul was addressing those who were “strong in the
faith,” that is, those who understood their spiritual
liberty in Christ and were not enslaved to diets or holy
days.The “weak in faith” were immature believers who
felt obligated to obey legalistic rules concerning what
they ate and when they worshiped.
God has received us (vv. 1–3)
God sustains His own (v. 4)
Jesus Christ is Lord (vv. 5–9)
Jesus Christ is Judge (vv. 10–12)

5. EdifyOne
Another
(Rom. 14:13–23)
The emphasis is not on “master-servant” but on
“brother.” It is the principle of brotherly love. If we
love each other, we will seek to edify each other,
build each other up in the faith.
Christians affect each other (vv. 13–15)
Christians must have priorities (vv. 16–18)
Christians must help each other grow (vv. 19–21)
Christians must not force their opinions on others
(vv. 22–23)

6. PleaseOne
Another
(Rom. 15:1–7)
Paul identified himself with the “strong” saints as he
dealt with a basic problem—selfishness. True
Christian love is not selfish; rather, it seeks to share
with others and make others happy. It is even willing
to carry the younger Christians, to help them along
in their spiritual development.
A person’s spiritual maturity is revealed by his
discernment.They’re willing to give up their rights
so others might be helped.They do this, not as a
burden, but as a blessing. Just as loving parents
make sacrifices for their children, mature believers
sacrifice to help younger Christians grow in faith.

7. MANONTHE MOVE
Romans 15:8-16:27

8. In this section,
Paul explained
four different
ministries.
The Ministry of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Rom. 15:8–13)
The supreme example of
ministry must always be
Jesus Christ. “But I am
among you as he that
serveth” (Luke 22:27). He
came first of all to minister
to the Jews, that through
Israel He might be able to
minister to the Gentiles.
“To the Jew first” is a
principle that was followed
in the earthly ministry of
Christ and in the early
ministry of the church.
John the Baptist came to
minister to the nation of Israel to
prepare them for their Messiah.
When Jesus began His
ministry, it was only to the
people of Israel.
When He sent out the Apostles on
their first evangelistic mission, He
ordered them, “Go not into the
way of the Gentiles, and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye
not; but go rather to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel”

9. Unless we
understand the
distinctive
ministry of Paul,
we will not fully
appreciate the
message ofGod’s
grace. Paul
explained the
characteristics of
his ministry.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles (Rom. 15:14–24)
It was received by grace (vv. 14–15)
It was centered in the Gospel (v. 16)
It was done for God’s glory (v. 17)
It was done by God’s power (vv. 18–19)

10. “from Jerusalem
and all the way
around to
Illyricum I have
fulfilled the
ministry of the
gospel of
Christ;” Rom 15:19b

11. Unless we
understand the
distinctive
ministry of Paul,
we will not fully
appreciate the
message ofGod’s
grace. Paul
explained the
characteristics of
his ministry.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles (Rom. 15:14–24)
It was received by grace (vv. 14–15)
It was centered in the Gospel (v. 16)
It was done for God’s glory (v. 17)
It was done by God’s power (vv. 18–19)
It was according to God’s plan (vv. 20–24)

12. Paul and his
associates had
received a special
offering from the
Gentile churches
inGreece for the
sufferingJewish
saints in
Jerusalem.
The Gentiles’ Ministry to the Jews (Rom. 15:25–33)
Paul looked on this offering
as the paying of a debt.The
Gentiles had received
spiritual wealth from the
Jews.They now returned
material wealth, paying their
debt. Paul considered
himself a “debtor” to the
whole world (Rom. 1:14). He
also considered the Gentile
Christians debtors to the
Jews, for it was the Jews
who gave to the Gentiles the
Word of God and the Son of
God.
Paul was anxious that this
offering be received by the
Jewish believers and be
acceptable to them. He wanted
to bring about, under God, a
closer bond between the
mother church at Jerusalem
and the daughter churches in
other parts of the empire.
There were still Jews (Judaizers)
who opposed the message of
grace to the Gentiles and who
wanted the Gentiles to become
Jews and accept the Jewish
Law.

13. Paul greeted at
least twenty-six
people by name,
as well as two
unnamed saints;
and he also
greeted several
churches that
were meeting in
homes.
The Believers’ Ministry to Paul (Rom. 16:1–27)
The closing benediction is the longest one Paul ever
wrote. It reflects his special ministry to the Gentiles.
“The mystery” has to do with God’s program of
uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in the one body,
the church (see Eph. 3).This was Paul’s special
message. It was because of this message that the
Judaizers persecuted Paul, because they wanted to
maintain Jewish privileges. Both Jews and Gentiles in
the Roman churches needed to know what God’s
program was.