Title: The Importance of Edification
After a little over three years in the book of Romans, we have arrived at the beginning of the end. Paul starts to draw the language of his largest contribution to the N.T. into a close, and over the next few weeks we will be looking closely at this final salutation to see:
1. Paul highlighting some key components of his letter.
2. Paul encouraging the people both as a group and personally.
3. Paul reminding his audience of his ministry, charge, and authority.
I. Paul believes in the believers in Rome!
(Read v. 14)
Paul calls these people “my brethren”, counts them among the Elect, understands that they endeavor with him for the same cause of the glory of God through Christ, and wants them to know that he’s not trying to beat them over the head with only things that they need to correct.
Paul offers three encouraging things:
1. They are full of goodness. (Truly saved, with the Kingdom’s best interest in mind.)
2. Filled with all knowledge. (The Spirit is with them, illuminating their understanding of scripture and of God’s purpose in using them.)
3. Able to admonish one another. (This is the most important one: The are able. Paul is not asking the saints in Rome to do something that they are incapable of doing. He believes they have been equipped, just as he has been equipped, to do the work that Paul is encouraging them to do.)
II. Paul Reminds the Church That He is Obedient to His Full Duty
(Read vv. 15/16)
Paul could, at this point, go into a dialogue about ANY of the theological points and doctrines that he has so carefully laid out from chapter one through chapter 15. He could remind them of man’s falleness, he could remind them of God’s sovereignty, he could remind them of the importance of being good citizens, or of working through our differences for the cause and call of unity in Christ.
But Paul instead, points again to one issue: The Gentiles.
He says two things about the Gentiles:
1. There is to be no mistake: Paul HAS been appointed to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. (This was a big issue for a lot of Jews, Christian AND non-Christian! Sometimes I wonder if Paul felt like he had ANY supporters. His obedience caused him to potentially alienate everyone in his life!)
2. The offering of the Gentiles is blessed by the same Spirit of God as the offering of the Jewish Believers.
A. The literal offering shows the Gentiles willingness to work as one, unified Church toward the glory of Christ Jesus. It should be accepted by the Jewish Christians.
B. The work the Gentiles do for the gospel in general, is worthy of praise. (God is using the Gentiles to bring glory to HIS name.)
And, in being so bold to remind them of these truths, Paul himself is saying that preaching a half gospel is not enough! He feels compelled to be fully honest and up front with the Church in Rome, explaining that his call is to the Gentiles, and that they should rally to accept the Gentiles as brothers and sisters and seek to live in unity with them.
Paul did nothing half way, or out of self-interest. In fact we see several times that Paul admits he’s not doing what he wants to do, but what he feels he must. He tells us in several of his letter that his heart breaks for his own people, the Jews, yet he is called to minister to the Gentiles.
He also tells us that he wants to die, to go home and be with Christ, but he knows it’s better for the Kingdom if he stays for our sake.
Closing thoughts:
1. Do you compliment and encourage each other?
2. Do you believe you are able?
3. Do you belong to a fellowship that preaches and practices the FULL COUNSEL of God’s word?
QA