Romans 15:14-33
Paul Serves the Gentiles
My brothers and sisters, I am sure that you are full of goodness. You are filled with knowledge and able to teach one another. But I have written to you very boldly about some things. I wanted to remind you of them again. The grace of God has allowed me to serve Christ Jesus among the Gentiles. I have the duty of a priest to preach God’s good news. Then the Gentiles will become an offering that pleases God. The Holy Spirit will make the offering holy.
Because I belong to Christ Jesus, I can take pride in my work for God. I will speak about what Christ has done through me. I won’t try to speak about anything else. He has been leading the Gentiles to obey God. He has been doing this by what I have said and done. He has given me power to do signs and wonders. I can do these things by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching. In those places, I preached the good news about Christ. I have always wanted to preach the good news where Christ was not known. I don’t want to build on what someone else has started. It is written,
“Those who were not told about him will understand.
Those who have not heard will know what it all means.” (Isaiah 52:15)
That’s why I have often been kept from coming to you.
Paul Plans to Visit Rome
Now there is no more place for me to work in those areas. For many years I have wanted to visit you. So I plan to see you when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while I am passing through. And I hope you will help me on my journey there. But first I want to enjoy being with you for a while. Now I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the Lord’s people there. The believers in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to take an offering. It was for those who were poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were happy to do it. And of course they owe it to them. The Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings. So the Gentiles should share their earthly blessings with the Jews. I want to finish my task. I want to make sure that the poor in Jerusalem have received this offering. Then I will go to Spain. On my way I will visit you. I know that when I come to you, I will come with the full blessing of Christ.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to join me in my struggle. Join me by praying to God for me. I ask this through the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for me with the love the Holy Spirit provides. Pray that I will be kept safe from those in Judea who do not believe. I am taking the offering to Jerusalem. Pray that it will be welcomed by the Lord’s people there. Then I will come to you with joy just as God has planned. We will be renewed by being together. May the God who gives peace be with you all. Amen.
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