Bible Study: The heart of the greatest missionary ever

Romans 15:14–33

Click here to read the passage, Romans 15:14–33.

Great Commission Christians: Paul’s Mission and Ours

Main Idea

Paul explains his ministry to the Gentiles, his future mission plans, and his deep dependence on the prayers of God’s people.

Summary

In this glimpse into Paul’s travels, we see the heart of the greatest missionary ever.

We get a look at the mission of God, the mission of Paul, and the mission of the church.

Mike Bird, an Anglican biblical scholar in Australia, writes that this portion of Romans is all about “mission, mission, mission”:

“Romans is theology written from the frantic frontline of the mission field, not in the serene surroundings of a seminary professor’s office.”

While few Christians will cross continents and cultures to make the gospel known, all Christians should make the gospel known somewhere. For some of us, that will merely involve crossing the street or the hallway or the gym.

There is a need for Great Commission Christians everywhere because spiritual lostness exists all around us.

Further, Great Commission people support one another. In this text we see the importance of the local church supporting Paul’s work among the nations.

The first section (vv. 14–21) is about Paul’s special calling and past travels. The second section (vv. 22–33) is about his future plans.

Paul says he intends to deliver an offering from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem, then visit Rome on his way to Spain.

Finally, he urges the Romans to strive together with him in prayer — for his safety, for his ministry to be accepted in Jerusalem, and for his eventual joy-filled visit with them.

What a Great Commission Christian looks like according to this passage in Romans:

1. Be Part of a Healthy, Gospel-Centered Church (15:14–15).

2. See Life and Mission through the Lens of Worship (15:16–18).

3. Remember that Fruitfulness Is the Result of Divine Enablement (15:15b–19).

4. Have a Passion for the Gospel and a Heart for People (15:20–21).

5. Support the Work of Church Planting (15:19–24).

6. Support the Work of Mercy Ministry (15:25–27).

7. Refresh Those on the Front Lines (15:28–29, 32).

8. Pray for Those on the Front Lines (15:30–33).

Key Takeaways

1. Encouragement of Growth — Paul affirms the Roman believers for their maturity but still seeks to strengthen them.

2. Ministry Calling — Paul is clear that his calling is to pioneer gospel work where Christ has not yet been preached.

3. Generosity in the Church — The Gentile churches’ gift to Jerusalem shows unity across cultural and ethnic lines.

4. Dependence on Prayer — Paul openly asks for prayer, modeling humility and interdependence in ministry.

5. God’s Sovereignty in Plans — Paul shares his ambitions, yet submits them to God’s will.

Quotes

• F.F. Bruce (Brethren pastor who died in 1990): “Paul’s apostolic ambition was not to preach the gospel where Christ was already known, but to extend the frontier of faith.”

• John Calvin (father of Reformed theology who died in 1564): “Paul attributes the success of his ministry not to himself, but wholly to God, who made him a minister of Christ to the Gentiles.”

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian pastor who died in 1714): “Ministers are but instruments; it is Christ that does all the work by them, and he must have all the glory.”

• Charles Hodge (Presbyterian pastor who died in 1878): “Paul sought the prayers of the saints because he felt his need of them. Even the most gifted and eminent servants of God depend on the prayers of the weakest believer.”

Questions

1. What is impactful to you in the summary, key takeaways and quotes, and why?

2. What does it mean to be a “Great Commission Christian”?

3. Why did Paul make it his aim to preach where Christ had not been named? How can we emulate that today?

4. What does the offering from the Gentile churches to Jerusalem reveal about gospel unity?

5. How does Paul’s request for prayer model interdependence in the Christian life?

6. How can you affirm and encourage other believers, as Paul did with the Romans?

7. What would it look like for you to embrace a “pioneering” spirit in your faith and witness?