In Romans 15:14-21, Paul talks about his evangelistic ministry as if it is the activity of a priest bringing his offering to the Lord in order that the heart of God might be gladdened. Having talked about God’s ministry to the Gentiles in the first part of this chapter, Paul now lays out the principles by which he carried out the ministry God gave him. There are many motivations to evangelism that are detectable in Paul, but overriding even the concern for the lostness of the lost is the deep desire that the Lord might be honored and glorified by the reconciliation of men and women through the work of Christ on the Cross. While he never hesitates to affirm his position of authority and responsibility as the one to whom “grace [was] given,” there is a humble aspect to his statement as he affirms also his complete dependence on the Lord.
Not wanting to jeopardize his relationship with the believers in Rome by seeming to be insensitive, presumptuous, or unloving, Paul sets out to explain how he could write such a forthright letter to a church he did not found and had never visited. The believers in Rome hated evil and loved righteousness, attitudes their lives clearly displayed. Goodness (a desire to serve) coupled with knowledge and spiritual understanding will naturally manifest itself in ministry to one another.
The word “minister” derives from the Greek word for “liturgy.” It is a priestly word pertaining to sacrifice. Paul saw his ministry as a sacrifice to God and himself as a living sacrifice. The goal of ministry is not only to see people saved or baptized-or even to join a particular church. The ultimate goal is their sanctification. In fact, the Great Commission of Matthew 28 is not just one of conversion but of discipleship.
Although Paul’s practice was always to present the gospel to the Jews first in every city he visited, his primary apostolic calling was to the Gentiles. Having referred to himself as a minister, a word with priestly overtones, Paul explains that his priestly ministry is to present to God an offering of a multitude of Gentile converts. Paul’s goal was to reach those who had never heard the gospel—the primary function of a New Testament evangelist. But for pastor-teachers, building on the foundation laid by such an evangelist is the crucial part of their ministry
Paul is not boasting about himself but glorifying in what Christ has accomplished through him. He characterizes his ministry to the Gentiles as being in word and deed. Paul’s impact on people was not just intellectual (though that was formidable), his life made an impact as a living epistle illustrating the resurrection reality of Jesus.
Paul would not create the appearance of rivalry with other apostles and teachers. His work in Rome was not to usurp another missionary’s work but to pass through to western regions where the name of Christ was not yet known. The distance between Jerusalem and present-day Albania and Yugoslavia is about 1,400 miles. Paul said he preached through that whole area, taking the gospel to the Gentiles. But he didn’t just preach-he was involved in the whole spectrum of establishing the Gentiles in a relationship with God: salvation, church planting, discipleship, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
The miracles in Romans 15:19 authenticated Paul as a true apostle of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:12 he refers to them as “the signs of an apostle,” and “signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” There are no apostles today but there is the word of God.
The mighty preaching, the powerful living, the remarkable conversions are all attributable to the work of God in him and the flow of blessing through him. Paul’s entire ministry was based on the grace of God. Believers are not only saved by grace, they serve by grace. Believers simply serve and leave the results to Him. Every Christian has been given grace to minister in some capacity. Every believer is responsible to encourage and strengthen other believers with God’s Word and is divinely equipped to do so. In spite of their spiritual strength, these Christians needed to be reminded of truths they already knew but could easily neglect or even forget.
When people come to you for advice or with questions, the best thing you can do is show them what God’s Word says about their problem or question and how God’s Word applies to their situation. But you can’t do that unless you know the Word and are allowing it to do its work in you first. Then you’ll be able to offer advice or answer their questions more effectively.
When was the last time you presented the gospel to someone? Are you scared to be the light-giver that God has created you to be? Pray today that God would bring you opportunities to share your faith and give you the courage to take them. Find people committed to Scripture, share your concerns, and let them speak truth into your life. Now step out in faith and keep your eyes open!
(An audio version of this post can be found by clicking this link: Romans 15 verses 14-21 How to Be a Minister on Earth)
Bibliography
- Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1565-1566)
- Briscoe, D.S., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 29: Romans (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; pp. 253-255)
- MacArthur, J.F., Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
- Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010)
- Stephen Davey, “How Does God Answer Your Questions?” Retrieved from stephen@wisdomonline.org
- Pastor John MacArthur, “Giving Godly Counsel.” Retrieved from internetministry@gty.org
