Day 345 – Reading – Romans 14 –  16
Read and believe in Jesus!

Romans 14.

• “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him … but not to quarrel over opinions.“

Paul reminds the Romans of things he’s had to teach the Corinthians.  Eating certain foods (or not), observing certain days (or not) are not to cause divisions among the believers. 

• “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
• “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” 

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Romans 15.

• “We who are strong (in convictions and assurance) have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself.”

Paul wanted the Romans to live in such harmony with each other that they would “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Whoa, is this ever a message for us today, too!)

Not only was there to be NO disputing about food and days, but they were also to accept Gentiles, as Christ had made a way for them in His family.

• “…that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy,
• “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.
• “The root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles.
• “…in Him will the Gentiles hope.” 

All together then!  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Paul even reminds them that his PRIMARY ministry, as given to him by Jesus, is to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles.  And he has accomplished this… “by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God.”

He says,

• “From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the Gospel of Christ, and I make it my ambition to preach the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.”

Paul wants to preach to those “…who have never been told of Him, and to those who have never heard.”

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He candidly tells the Roman believers that he has often wanted to, but has been hindered from coming to them. He hopes to do so soon. And perhaps they can help him financially in his plans to go to Spain as well. But in the meantime, his plans are to go to Jerusalem to deliver the offering from Greece and Macedonia. After that …. Rome, and then … hopefully, Spain!

• “Pray for me, brothers, that I will be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea.
• Pray that my service for Jerusalem will be acceptable.
• And pray that I will come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.”

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Romans 16.

Paul ends this weighty letter with some personal greetings, warnings, and blessings.

First, he commends Phoebe to them.  She is the one bringing them this letter.  She is a servant of the church in Greece.  “Welcome her in a way worthy of the saints, and help her (financially), for she has served me and others well.”

He sends greetings to his beloved fellow workers, Pricilla and Aquila, who have returned to Rome, it seems. (Remember, they had fled Rome, met Paul in Greece, then worked with him in Ephesus.)

• The list goes on: Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodian, Narcissis, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus and his mother, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philogus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas. 

He tells the folks at the Rome church to greet all these for him with a holy kiss.  (Seems like he WILL have a great welcome when he arrives!)

• And from Paul’s side, he sends greetings from his fellow workers;, Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus and Quartus. 

He ends his opus with a blessing and doxology.  

“Now unto Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ …. to the only wise God, be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!  Amen.”