Romans 15-16 Gentiles, Jesus, and Rome

Romans 15 Jesus told Paul to go to the Gentiles and he went.

Romans 15:1-13 Paul continues the Romans 14 discussion that was devoted to the admonition to not judge others over disputable matters, and not criticize people with different customs. Paul now links his ministry to the gentiles to God’s call to accept other believers who are different from us. This admonition is especially the case for Jewish believers to accept gentiles who become Christians but do not have the Jewish cultural heritage. (See also Acts 10) Paul waxes eloquent in citing Old Testament passages relating to the faith of gentiles in Christ.

• Romans 15:3 quotes Psalm 69:9. Jesus bore the insults of others; when we attack their practices, we insult Him. 
• Romans 15:9 quotes 2 Samuel 27:50 and Psalm 18:49, David’s song. David recognized that gentiles could and would sing God’s praises.
• Romans 15:10 quotes Deuteronomy 32:43, Moses’ song. Moses enjoined the gentiles to rejoice in God with the Jews.
• Romans 15:11 quotes Psalm 117:1, the psalmist’s exhortation to all the nations to sing God’s praises.
• Romans 15:12 quotes Isaiah 11:10, pointing to Jesus who will one day rule over the nations (I.e., gentiles), and that they will hope in Him.

How has Christ become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth? Perhaps this is like washing the disciples’ feet at the last supper. (John 13:14-17) Jesus came to the Jews and completed His plan to bring salvation to humankind, but it then falls to the Jews to take the gospel outside their nation and culture, to the nations of the world.

Romans 15:14-22 Instruction and Grace: it is the Holy Spirit that tells us what is sin and what is just different practices. We need to focus on Christ. The gentiles will be sanctified by the Holy Spirit when they receive the gospel and turn in faith to Jesus. In Romans 15:21 Paul quotes Isaiah 52:15 to explain that he is fulfilling God’s call to bring knowledge of God and His ways to people who have never heard about Him.

Romans 15:23-32 Paul used every step along the way as part of his service to God. He wants to see the Roman believers in person. He wants to visit Spain. Believers in Greece and environs generously gave to support believers in Jerusalem, which he is en route to deliver. He links his current trip to his plans for the future. Perhaps he does not have any hint (when he is writing this letter) that his trip to Rome will ultimately begin in Jerusalem, courtesy of the Roman government. That future trip will confirm once again that governments are God’s tools as described in Romans 13.

Romans 16 Closing in Glory

Romans 16:1-2 Paul commends Phoebe, a deacon or servant of the church in Cenchreae, which was a port city just east of Corinth (today called Kechrees Port). This city is also mentioned in Acts 18:18 where Paul had his hair cut before sailing. Since Paul asks the Romans to receive and assist Phoebe, we might infer she was part of the delegation that carried Paul’s letter to Rome. 

Romans 16:3-15 Paul greets at least 24 people by name, recognizing their individual roles in his ministry and life. 

Romans 16:16 What is a holy kiss? Practices have varied over time, but the essence is that it is a nonsexual expression of Christian love. That is, a symbol offering the desire for the recipient to be blessed with the best possible life, one in which Jesus is Lord to both, and active in both lives, to enable a fellowship of common faith.

Romans 16:17-20 Paul warns about those who sow division within the church, and contradict his teachings. Paul prophetically foresaw the role of internet influencers using social media in opening the church to Satan’s deceptions. Beware! He admonishes us to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. God will soon crush Satan, under our feet, through the grace of Jesus Christ. May not be soon enough for us. Internet influencers need to come to know Jesus before it is too late to repent.

Romans 16:21-24 Paul identifies and gives credit to eight more individuals by name, who have had roles in his ministry.

Romans 16:25-27 In this closing benediction, Paul recaps the high points of his letter: the revelation of truth through Jesus, who can establish us in the good news of the gospel; and that this truth is now extended to the gentiles because obedience comes through faith, not through works. He closes with the glory of God revealed through Yeshua Hamashiach.