Romans 15-16

Chapter 15 begins with the application of the teaching of bearing with one another's weaknesses. We are to look to build up our neighbor. A nice summary of the purpose of Scripture is given at 15:4. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." The Bible is to give us hope. And we are to be unified in this hope. Jew or Gentile. Man or woman. Accepting one another brings praise to God.

Paul recounts his use as minister to the Gentiles beginning with 15:14. Paul has desired to be the trail-blazer, bringing Christ to places where no one has yet heard. Because of that desire, he has not been able to come to Rome. But he hopes to change that by stopping off in Rome on his way to Spain. We know today that Paul never made it to Spain, but that desire is impressive. However, Paul still has a trip back to Jerusalem to make, and trouble will surely find him there. But Paul's love for the people of the Roman church is apparent from this passage in chapter 15, as well as the lengthy list of greetings in chapter 16.

Paul asks for specific prayers that he may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that his service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the church there. I often think of Paul as a free spirit guided by the Holy Spirit, but Paul was a working part of the Church. He held the elders in Jerusalem with high regard.

Many of the names of chapter 16 are strange to us. Priscilla and Aquila have settled in Rome, though -- reason enough for their old student to want to come see Rome.

Paul's final warning is against devisive people within the church, twisting doctrines and setting up a legalistic system. That temptation to draw attention to onesself by uniquely interpreting the Gospel has not died with the Apostolic age.