Romans Made Easy

By Joyce Webb 2009

Chapter 15     Verses 14-33

Paul tells the reason for writing this letter.

Verse 14

Paul says—-I believe you, my brothers in Christ, that you are full of goodness. You are filled with knowledge. You are able to teach each other.

(Paul has not yet seen these believers in Rome, but he has heard about them from others.)

Verse 15

God has given me grace. He has called me to be a minister and preacher to the Gentiles.

I want to see the Gentiles accepted by God because they have been forgiven and have been made clean by the Holy Spirit.

I feel great joy to know that Gentiles have come to God— and believe in Jesus. I give glory to God for this.

I will speak of only those things that God has done through me.

I speak about the miracles that were done. I speak about the teachings I gave.

From Jerusalem and all around unto Illyricum, I have preached the gospel.

Verse 20

I have tried to preach the gospel—-in places that have never heard the gospel.

I did not want to build on another person’s work.

Verse 21

It is written To those people who have never heard of him, they will see and hear.

To those people who have never heard of him, they will understand.” Isaiah 52:15

Verse 22

Because I have been doing this—-preaching in these places that have never heard—-this is the reason I have not come to you Romans.

Verse 23

But now, I have finished preaching in these areas. I want very much to come to you. I have wanted to come to you for years.

Verse 24

I am planning to go to Spain. When I do, I will stop to see you.

I will visit with you and then I will go on my way.

Verse 25, 26

First, I have to go down to Jerusalem. Believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece), —-have given money to help those believers in Jerusalem.

Verse 27

The believers in Greece are happy to give this money.

They feel they are “in debt” to the believers in Jerusalem.

It is because of the believers in Jerusalem,— that preachers were sent to Greece to preach. Because of them,—the people of Greece heard the gospel.

So they want to help the believers in Jerusalem in their time of need.

Verse 28

When I finished doing this trip to Jerusalem, I will come to you on my way to Spain.

Verse 29

I am sure that when I come to you—-that God will have a great blessing for you

Verse 30

Now, I am asking you, for Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Holy Spirit,—-that you pray with me to God,—-that I may escape those people in Judea, who do not believe in Christ.

(These Jews in Judea gave Paul much trouble.)

Pray, also, that the believers in Jerusalem will accept this offering.

Verse 32, 33

Then I will be able to come to you with joy, and by the will of God and together we will be encouraged in the Lord.

Now, the God of peace be with you all. Amen.