Today’s passage: Romans 15:22-33
Helpful thoughts:
- Paul was hindered from going to Rome because his mission was to go where the gospel had not yet been preached and there was no church established. This letter he was writing was to the church in Rome…
- The Iberian peninsula had not yet heard the gospel. Paul saw an opportunity for more ministry and the church in Rome would be a great supporting church for this new mission.
- Given the information in verse 25, Paul would later come to Rome as a prisoner. He probably never did make it to Spain…but the gospel message he preached certainly has.
- A gift from Gentile believers to the Jews would have been a great gesture of solidarity and gratitude that could have worked toward relieving any divisions between Jews and Gentiles in Judea.
- Paul’s desire was to be a peacemaker, to join God’s people together to further the gospel message and see Christ continue to build His Church!
Questions to consider:
- Did verse 29 prove to be false since Paul did not come to Rome as a free man? How should we describe the “Fullness of the blessing of Christ?”
- What can we learn about making plans and holding them with open hands under the sovereignty of God? How does James 4:13-17 instruct us? What kinds of things should we plan to do and then seek to do them? Ultimately, whose will shall prevail? Why is that such good news?
- How did Paul describe God after sharing his goals and plans with the church? Was God concerned that Paul’s plans may not happen the way Paul had hoped? Did God get anxious? How can the complete peace of God which the God of peace possesses help you when your plans aren’t going as you hoped?