Romans 15:14-21 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge… I. ITS GENERAL NATURE. 1. Paul was "the minister of Jesus Christ." The word is compounded of two words, signifying a work and that which belongs to the public; the character described, therefore, is that of one devoted to the public welfare — one called of God out of a private into a public station, who therefore became public property, and who could not, without manifest impropriety, make his own ease, or influence, or aggrandisement, the objects of his pursuit. 2. Paul was employed in this ministry for "the offering up of the Gentiles to God," in which there is an allusion to the priestly office. He evidently considered himself an evangelical priest; one who was to be the mouth of God to the people, and the mouth of the people to God. (1) He points out his duty, which was to offer the Gentiles to God. (2) He relates his experience of success — the reward of his labour, viz., the presenting to God those who were saved through his instrumentality. 3. The means by which he was thus enabled to prepare and to present to God such an acceptable oblation: by the preaching of the gospel of Christ fully. The gospel is called the gospel of God, and of Christ, both in reference to its Divine authority, and in reference to its subject: it is of God, and it speaks concerning God. II. ITS SPHERE. 1. "Where Christ was not named." Such a people — (1) Were, of course, ignorant of Christ, of His character, relations, salvation. (2) Could not, therefore, believe in Christ. Hence they derived no spiritual benefit from His mediation; they had no hope of being with Him for ever. (3) Could not, of course, be happy. All that Christians enjoy or hope for is through Christ alone. Through Him they are justified, renewed, sanctified, consoled, strengthened, etc. Without Christ is misery. Yet such is the miserable, the awful condition of countless millions. Christ is not named among them. They have no Bibles; no gospel ministry; no Christian Sabbaths. 2. The apostle preached "from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum"; places about one thousand miles from each other. "Round about," i.e., diverging into all the neighbouring places, and still pushing onwards till he had filled the country with his doctrine. This statement should be improved by us — (1) In reference to our own country. Let those who, after mature deliberation and earnest prayer, feel it to be their duty to confine themselves to domestic labours, be careful to cultivate a missionary spirit. Let them not rest till in every town and village they have "fully preached the gospel of Christ." Negligence in this respect will be criminally inexcusable in such a country as this, where no impediment is presented by the existing government, but where every facility is afforded. (2) And chiefly in reference to heathen lands. We must take care of home, but we must not overlook other places. The gospel must be planted in place after place, till its influence has spread over the whole earth. III. THE TESTIMONY OF GOD BY WHICH IT WAS ACCOMPANIED. Through "mighty signs and wonders," and "by the power of the Spirit of God"; without which all else would have been vain. Miracles are not absolutely necessary to the success of the Christian ministry, and never were the direct causes of conversion. The faithful record of the miracles wrought in attestation of the truth in the days of the apostles, answers every purpose of miracles themselves. If the apostles had the auxiliary of miracles, we have the auxiliary of Bibles gradually translating into every language. We have the advantage of patronising governments, e.g., the Spirit of God can and does convert without miracles. The larger outpourings of this Spirit must be sought in fervent, persevering prayer. IV. ITS EFFECTS. The Gentiles — 1. Were made obedient. Theirs was the obedience of faith, of profession, of practice. They were Christians doctrinally, experimentally, and practically. 2. Were offered to God. The preachers made no improper use of their influence; their only aim was to bring men to know, love, and serve God. The true missionary spirit is not a sectarian spirit, and it is injured whenever it becomes so. 3. Were an acceptable offering to God. V. THE PRIVILEGE, HAPPINESS, AND HONOUR REALISED BY PAUL IN BEING PERMITTED TO EXERCISE THIS MISSIONARY VOCATION. He speaks of it as "grace given to him of God." He accounted it — 1. A privilege. He does not talk of the burden, danger, or expense, but the favour to be so employed. No Christian will account it a burden to support missions, or to engage in actual service, if it be clearly his duty. The missionary has no right to talk of making sacrifices, he is but doing his duty; he is honoured by God in being allowed so to labour. Mean is that man who accounts the labours of a missionary to be mean. 2. An honour. "I have whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ." 3. A happiness. "I glory"; I exult — I rejoice greatly. Let Christians consider that a share in all this privilege, honour and happiness is offered to their acceptance. Let ministers beware how they keep back from such work. And let all Christians see to it that they promote the cause by their contributions, their influence, and their prayers. (J. Bunting, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. |
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