Romans 15:14-21

Romans 15:14-Ecclesiastes : . The Present Juncture in Paul’ s Ministry.— Paul resumes the thread dropped at Romans 1:15.

Romans 15:14-Nehemiah : . He does not think the Roman Christians in need of correction; he “ has written, however,” and “ in part” of the epistle (in Romans 6:12-Ecclesiastes :, and much of Romans 12, 14) “ somewhat boldly, by way of further reminder” of familiar truths ( cf. Romans 6:17)— a liberty warranted by “ the special grace” he had received ( cf. Romans 1:2-Joshua :, Romans 12:3). That grace had constituted him “ a sacred-minister ( cf. Romans 13:6) of Christ Jesus for the nations, sacrificially ministering the gospel of God, to the end that the offering up of the nations,” etc. ( cf. Isaiah 66:19 f.). By anticipation Paul presents, like a priest at the altar, the sanctified nations to God; all his labours tend toward this world-offering.

Romans 15:17-Psalms : . The earnest of the consummation is already realised; so that the apostle “ has his glorying therein”— a boast not overstepping the limits nor exaggerating the successes of his ministry ( cf. 2 Corinthians 10:13-Nehemiah :; 2 Corinthians 12:11 f.).—“ In a circle” (EV, “ round about” ): Paul’ s labours extended on both sides of the line of march defined ( cf. Mark 3:34; Mark 6:6). In Jerusalem Paul had preached long ago (see Acts 9:26-Joel :); to Illyria he had probably made an excursion during his recent sojourn in Macedonia.

Romans 15:20 f. Over this immense area Paul “ has fulfilled” the Lord’ s command— as stated, e.g., in Luke 24:24-Daniel :— his “ ambition being to tell the good news where Christ has not been named; he would not build on a foundation laid by another,” but had pressed ever forward into unevangelised lands, making good the prophecy of Isaiah 52:15, which depicted the “ astonishment” of “ nations” at the tidings brought concerning Jehovah’ s Servant.