Long-distance runners talk about “smelling the finish” as they near the end of their race. They started the race with fresh enthusiasm, slogged through the middle, and are now approaching the end. Tired, exhausted, and also elated as they enter that last stretch. We are in that last stretch of Romans as chapter 15 reveals Paul’s purpose and plans, and 16 some final commendations and warnings.
Today we are looking at Romans 15:14-33. I suggest reading the whole passage since we’ll only reprint a few verses. This section has three major parts. Paul’s purpose for ministry and writing, his travel plans and the motive behind them, and a final appeal.
My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:14-16
Several New Testament books place their reason for writing near the end of the letter rather than near the beginning. Paul identifies three high points in the church at Rome. Full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct(admonish and correct) one another. Paul was not writing to correct, but to inform and guide so that God’s purpose is fulfilled. That purpose being that the “Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” In other words, living out the life of faith that glorifies God.
In the middle part, Paul talks about his past and planned travels. He is currently taking an offering to Jerusalem to help the church support destitute Jewish believers. We see that story unfold in Acts 19:21 and following. He writes in Romans, “Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs.” In this section, Paul also states his personal goal: to go to places where Christ is not known.
Lastly, Paul appeals for prayer. Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.” In a way, this marks the end of the main part of Romans, with Chapter 16 serving more as a postscript.
Romans Applied: We all have plans and purposes. The question is: where do they come from, and where do they go? Notice that Paul’s all revolved around others, especially those who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus Christ. So often, our plans are about us. That is perhaps the greatest difference between Christianity and other religions. Through the sanctification (being made holy) of the Holy Spirit, we increasingly focus on others instead of ourselves. For Paul, that meant traveling the known world to places that did not know about Jesus. Our mission field could be something entirely different. What are your plans and purposes in Christ?
And yet, we also know that Paul’s plans didn’t always work out as he expected. There were plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. Things didn’t go smoothly, yet God fulfilled his purposes for him, often in ways Paul didn’t see at the time. For instance, a shipwreck landed him in Malta; he didn’t intend to go there. And yet, to this day, Malta celebrates the day Paul showed up on the island by accident and preached the gospel. We may think that a bad turn is a setback or a failure, but it may be the first step of something that will glorify God in ways we could not predict.
The final application is to pray for others, as the good news is still making its way to people who have never heard it. Pray for those who encourage and instruct after the pioneer as moved on. Pray for the churches that are being formed, and for the churches long established, that they may be “full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.”
- Romans Applied – Purpose and Plans - October 7, 2026
- Romans Applied – God’s Patience - September 30, 2026
- Romans Applied – Dealing With Differences - September 23, 2026
