Romans 15:18-24, Power of the Spirit of God

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Romans 15:18-24 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

The Apostle Paul has a heart for the furtherance of the gospel. He preached the gospel in uncharted territories. He desires to see the gospel extended to all the Gentile world. Citing Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 52:15, he speaks of the mission for the conversion of Gentiles and their eventual conversion to receive Israel’s Messiah God, Jesus Christ. He was the man sent for this mission to the Gentiles fulfilling this prediction of Isaiah.

Isaiah 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

It was the will of God that the nations of the world be reached with the gospel. The torch of the Great Commission has been carried to the heart of the Roman Empire. He sought the support of the Roman church now, to carry the gospel torch all the way to Spain, the very edge of the Roman Empire. This will be his last mission. We should think perhaps it’s time for the Apostle Paul to take a rest and be satisfied with the accomplishments during the most part of his ministerial life. Yet, God’s spirit gave him no rest. He burned out for the Lord. What a man! What an example of consecration and service! May it inspire men today to the work of the gospel. Amen.