Romans 15:15-21, Paul's ministry to the Gentiles. Verse 15: "Nevertheless, brothers, in reminding you, I have written more boldly to you on certain points, because of the grace that has been given to me by God." Now that he is nearing the conclusion of his epistle, Paul continues to take a conciliatory tone. He humbly acknowledges that he has spoken frankly on various points throughout the letter. However, he explains that this was necessary to fulfill the ministry given him.
He explains that he said these bold things to remind them. Chrysostom points out that Paul is using tender language here. He explains that Ephanimimnesco has the sense of prompting you in a gentle way. Chrysostom continues, "So Paul has now come down from the seat of the teacher, and he speaks to them as a brother and a friend, someone of equal rank. Observe the humility of Paul. Observe his wisdom." Notice how he administered a severe wound in the earlier part of the letter.
But now that he has accomplished what he desired, he uses abundant kindliness. For even without the other conciliatory things he has said, his very confession of having been bold was sufficient to soften the blow. And Paul does likewise when writing to the Hebrews.
For in that letter, he writes, "But beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this." Again to the Corinthians, Paul says similarly, "Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you." Verse 16: "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being
sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Paul continues to explain why he had spoken so boldly earlier in the epistle.
He describes his ministry as performing a priestly service in order that he might offer the Gentiles to God as an acceptable sacrifice. Chrysostom explains, "Paul now raises his discourse to a more lofty tone. He no longer speaks of mere ministry as he did at the beginning. Rather, he now speaks of priestly service." Paul says, "In effect, to me, this preaching and exhortation is a priesthood.
This is the sacrifice I bring to God." Of course, no one will find fault with a priest for being anxious to offer up a sacrifice without blemish. So Paul says this to raise their spirits and to show them that they are a sacrifice. And he presents this in defense of his own part in the matter. For he was appointed to this office.
He is saying, "My sacrificial knife is the gospel, the word of preaching." Origen points out that when the high priests offered sacrifices in former times, it was their responsibility to make sure there were no blemishes on the sacrificial animals. Otherwise, their sacrifices would not be acceptable and pleasing to God. So likewise, Paul wants the Gentiles to be without fault, to be blameless before God. In this manner, the Gentiles will be acceptable to God as an offering and will be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul explains that this is why he sometimes has found it necessary to speak candidly to them. As Paul told the elders from Ephesus, "Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Verses 17 through 19a. "Therefore I have reason to rejoice through Jesus Christ in those things that pertain to God.
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not worked through me to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. I have reason to rejoice through Jesus Christ." Paul does not rejoice over anything that he has personally accomplished. Rather, he rejoices over what Christ has worked through him, and he rejoices over what the power of the Holy Spirit has brought about.
As the scriptures say, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord." Chrysostom writes, "Paul is saying, 'The miracles and the obedience of the Gentiles show that I have accomplished the purpose for which I was sent. Accordingly, my words are not mere boastfulness. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not worked through me.'" Verse 19b.
"So that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Illyricum was a Roman province encompassing the region that contains the modern countries of Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, and others. It was evidently the northernmost point of Paul's ministry. Jerusalem was the southernmost point of his ministry. Paul uses the term round about to refer to the fact that he did not just travel in a straight line from Jerusalem to Illyricum.
Rather, he completed a circuit going to Syria, Cilicia, Galatia, Bithynia, and other regions. Theodoret writes, "Paul says, 'I have not merely attended to those nations lying in a direct line. Rather, I have traveled in a circuit. Accordingly, I have fully supplied the doctrines of the gospel to the eastern regions also, and those around Pontus, together with portions of Asia and Thrace.'" For this is what the words round about indicate. Verse 20.
"Yes, so I have striven to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation." Paul primarily preached in cities and regions where he would not be building upon the work of other apostles or evangelists. Chrysostom writes, "Paul was careful not to thrust himself upon other men's disciples, nor did he want to appear to be preaching for glory's sake. For that reason, he made it a point to teach those people who had never heard of Christ.
For he does not say, 'Where people were not persuaded about Christ.' Rather, he says, 'Where Christ was not even named.'" Origen adds, "Otherwise, it might seem that Paul was taking the glory away from the work of another." Verse 21. "But as it is written, 'To whom he was not spoken of, they will see, and they who have not heard will understand.'" Paul now shows that his ministry was in fulfillment of a prophecy given in Isaiah about the Gentiles.
Theodoret comments, "This shows the diligent earnestness of Paul's zeal and laboring, for he was toiling in fields that were uncultivated. So he had to plow them, sow seed, and convert them into productive grain fields. He thereby brought about the due fulfillment of the prophecy through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit."