May 12 Click on verses for Full Scripture

previous - - - - - - - - - - next

Today's Pathway: Romans 15:14-16 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

In this next section Paul discusses his relationship with the Gentiles. He opens by commending the Gentile believers in Rome. He states that they are filled with goodness and knowledge. What a great combination! They were filled up with the Bible. The verb tense indicates that they had become filled at some point in the past and had continued in that condition. They learned and understood doctrine, and they did not stray from what they knew. In addition, they were people of high moral character. What they knew about the Lord they put into practice in their daily lives. Unfortunately, there are people in our churches today who have a tremendous grasp of what the Bible says, but they fail completely when it comes to living out those Scriptural principles. The Roman believers were following James' instructions to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). Paul then adds another characteristic of these church members: they had the ability to help their brethren in Christ. The word translated "admonish" comes from a root that literally means "to place in the mind". It carries with it the idea of providing counsel to someone. Gene Getz wrote this:

"It doesn’t refer to casual communication or normal-type teaching. It implies a definite exhortation, correction, and warning. When this word is used, there is always the implication of a problem."

In spite of these great words of encouragement, Paul says in verse 15 that he has been writing to them "more boldly". He is challenging them to keep going forward for the Lord. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the things that we already know. Peter wrote,

"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." (II Peter 1:12).

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

Paul wanted to be a proper minister to those he came in contact with, and specifically mentions the Gentiles. The word "minister" here is different than in verse 8. This word was used to describe someone doing service to God, and was applied to the Old Testament priesthood. The word "ministering" also referred to the work of the priests as they carried out the responsibilities of the Temple. Rather than offering blood sacrifices, Paul was preaching the good news that the Lamb of God had already shed His blood for the remission of sin. In addition, according to the middle of verse 16, he saw his priestly offering as not being an animal or a grain offering, but as Gentile converts. According to G. Campbell Morgan:

"Every soul won by the preaching of the gospel is not only brought into a place of safety and of blessing; he is an offering to God, a gift which gives Him satisfaction, the very offering He is seeking."

Do we have the characteristics of the Roman church members? Are we giving spiritual help to our fellow Christians? Are we bringing God an offering of new believers?