Paul had confidence only in those that were in the Lord and in fellowship with Him, realizing that in the flesh there is no good thing (Rom. 7:18). Even some of the very best of God's people have been tricked into error and sin by Satan, who takes advantage of our human weaknesses. But the power of God is accessible to even the least of God's children. Paul could say that he was fully persuaded that, because their goodness and knowledge were of God, they were able to admonish one another. He wanted the Roman Christians to recognize that everything was of grace, given to them in Christ.

Paul called attention to the fact that his was a ministry to the Gentiles. The twelve original apostles were called to minister among the Jews. Whether or not they all went out among the Gentiles toward the latter part of their ministry is a question answered only by tradition, which is not always reliable. Though Paul was sent to the Gentiles, whenever he visited in any place where there were Jews he first gave them the opportunity of hearing the Gospel. Then, when they refused it, he turned to the Gentiles of the community. This practice continued through all his missionary journeys (Acts 13-28) and even after the Gospel had gone out to the entire world, Paul still said that it was to the Jew first--so long as it is the power of God unto salvation--and so it is today.

Thinking in terms of the Jewish high priest who was always very careful that the offering of the atonement on Yom Kippur might be acceptable, Paul said that his job was to minister the Gospel of God "that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable" in God's sight. It is a marvelous thing that poor mortal men, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, are granted the exalted privilege of ministering in the things of God and like the Jewish high priest of presenting people to God. In leading them to such a life of self-sacrifice and service Paul was, in his own language, making the offering up of the Gentiles acceptable. Each individual Christian is urged to offer his body a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1).

Paul was forced through circumstances to speak of that which he had accomplished, since there were those who discredited his ministry. But he was very careful to give God all the credit, pointing out that what he did was being done by Christ. His ministry, he declared, was confirmed "in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit." He not only preached from Jerusalem, but went into Greece and as far as Illyricum, proclaiming the message of the risen Lord.

Paul's ambition was to make it "my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation." It is proper and right to have an ambition--provided it is legitimate. Paul was willing to work with his own hands and serve the Master. He was a pioneer, telling those who had never heard it the message of redeeming love. He wanted this scripture from Isa. 52:15 to be fulfilled in his ministry: "They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, and they who have not heard shall understand."

Paul's great ambition was to thus preach in the imperial city of Rome. He then planned to go on into Spain, as far westward as he could go, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ to those who had never heard. He reminded the Roman Christians that when he did come he hoped they would be sympathetic toward his plans, and that they would assist him, so that they might have a reward for the service which he would accomplish in the regions beyond.

"For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. 27 Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain. 29 And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ" (Romans 15:26-29).

Paul was at Corinth when he wrote this letter. An offering had been gathered among the Gentile churches in Greece for the poor saints at Jerusalem and he intended to carry it to them. Having partaken of the riches of the Gospel sent forth from Jerusalem, it was proper and right that the Gentiles reciprocate by assisting them in their need. Paul expressed the hope that after it had been delivered, God would grant him the privilege of going on to Rome and then into Spain. He wanted to come in the fullness of the Spirit of God, to assist the Romans in every way possible.

Paul was a great believer in the power of prayer--in united prayer, especially. In writing the churches, he invariably spoke about having prayed for certain things, frequently urging them to join him at the throne of grace: "... Strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" (vs. 30).

Paul was apprehensive lest the Jewish Christians, being prejudiced against the Gentiles, might reject the offering from the Macedonian churches. He also knew that attempts would be made against him personally in Jerusalem. He urged the church at Rome to pray "that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea and that my ministration ... for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints" (vs. 31). While the gift was accepted, the petition for deliverance from enemies in Jerusalem was not answered in the sense in which they prayed. God sometimes answers our petitions in a way that seems exactly opposite to what we thought they would be. Nevertheless, we must consider that Paul's petition was answered in the way that would bring the greatest good to all concerned and that would result in the greatest glory to God.

"I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self" (Romans 16:1-2).

The doctrinal portion of Romans concluded with chapter 11 and the practical aspects of Christianity were set forth in chaps. 12-15. But in chap. 16 we find Paul speaking of more personal matters and making his final salutation.

As we saw at the very beginning of this series of articles, the probabilities are that Paul wrote the Roman Letter from Corinth when he was on his third and last missionary tour. This position is strengthened by the fact that the one who bore the letter to the church at Rome was "Phoebe our sister," a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae which was a seaport near Corinth. The apostle was eager that those saints at Rome should recognize Phoebe and treat her in a manner worthy of the saints, assisting her with whatever she might need, and saying that this good woman had been a helper of others. (16:1,2)

In vss. 3-16 the apostle urges the Romans to salute various ones who were engaged in full-time Christian service.

"Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: 5 and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ. 6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. 8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. 15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you" (Romans 16:3-16).

He mentions Prisca and Aquilla, his fellow-workers who had "for my life laid down their own necks." They were willing to suffer or, if it would help the cause of Christ along, to die in Paul's stead. This certainly evidenced Christian faith and fortitude. Paul states in vs. 7 that Andronicus and Junia were "of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me"--they had received Christ before the Apostle's conversion.

Passing by the numerous names and the wonderful things said about them, we note in vs. 16 "Salute one another with a holy kiss." Kissing in the Orient was and is a form of greeting. He said they should let their method of salutation be a holy thing, without hypocrisy and on the high plane of holiness. Today Paul might say, "Let it be with a handshake of holiness."

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Romans 16:17-20).

This exhortation is very necessary for us today. Paul counseled Christians to avoid such divisive persons that are not serving the Lord Jesus, but their own belly. Paul felt confident in giving such instructions to the Roman Christians because he had heard of their obedience: "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you." He felt it necessary to urge them to be "wise unto that which is good," to understand and evaluate properly every situation and to act accordingly, but to be "simple unto that which is evil." He realized that all temptations come from Satan, but that "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." The word shortly carries the thought of swiftness or dispatch, rather than brevity of time. When the time arrives for the falling of God's judgment upon the guilty, it will come with speed and thoroughness.

The regular apostolic benediction is found in the latter part of vs. 20: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." Again, in vss. 21-23, the apostle mentioned certain Christian workers. Attention is called to Tertius, the secretary to whom Paul dictated the epistle to the Romans, as led by the Holy Spirit in selecting that which was to be written.

"Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, 26 but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 16:21-27).

This is one of the great doxologies of the Bible. The Apostle commends those Christian brothers unto Him who is able to establish them in the faith and in the Christian life. He does it according to God's Gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ. Neither Paul nor anyone else composed the Gospel story. The record of Christ's life and message to the world was given to the apostles by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

The mystery regarding Christ and the church, which God had purposed from the foundation of the world, was made manifest in the Scriptures by the prophets. It was made known that men might accept the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ in obeying Him.

In his concluding statement, the apostle again pronounces the benediction in these words: "To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen." Thus in a most glorious manner this epistle, one of the richest in the entire Bible, is brought to a close.