Paul’s letter to the Romans is not just theological, it is also a deeply personal reflection of his mission and ministry. In Romans 15:14-19, he commends the Roman church for their faithfulness and goodness, while also reminding them of the continual call to live out the gospel. As he prepares to conclude his third missionary journey, Paul desires to take the gospel to Spain — a dream that would remain unfulfilled but shows his relentless passion to see the gospel spread to the ends of the earth.
In this passage, we see Paul’s deep love for the church, his commitment to his calling, and his desire to see the believers continue to live with the same confident humility he himself embraced. Paul’s words resonate with us today, reminding us to remain steadfast in our faith and our calling, recognizing that even in the final greetings and admonishments, there are lessons to be learned and applied.
1. Praise God for Your Strong Reputation
Paul opens this section of his letter with a powerful affirmation of the Roman church, praising their strong reputation in faith, goodness, and knowledge. Though Paul had never met them in person, he had heard about their faith from afar. In Romans 1:8, Paul says, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” It is remarkable to consider the impact a church can have simply by the strength of its witness.
This reputation is something worth celebrating, and as I reflect on Paul’s praise for the Romans, I cannot help but be reminded of you, church family. Your faithfulness, goodness, and desire for truth are known beyond these walls. I have seen it firsthand, and I have heard about it long before I became your pastor. It is a privilege to praise God for the strong gospel reputation of this church.
The Roman church’s reputation for faithfulness preceded them, but a good reputation is not only something to celebrate, it is something to protect. Paul’s words remind us that a strong reputation in Christ must be guarded — not from the outside world, but from within ourselves. The temptation to stray from the Lord or fall into sin is ever-present, and protecting our reputation begins with protecting our walk with Christ.
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” This truth challenges us to consider what we value most. If someone were to offer you $100,000 in exchange for your reputation, would you take it? The world places value on wealth, but Scripture reminds us that our good name, especially one rooted in Christ, is far more precious.
Paul commended the Roman church for their goodness, knowledge, and willingness to admonish one another — three qualities that are vital to maintaining a strong reputation. When Paul speaks of knowledge, he is referring to the knowledge of God, the wisdom that comes from His Spirit and His Word. This is a knowledge that transforms, and I see that same hunger for God’s truth here in our church. Every week, I am encouraged by your desire not only to hear the truth of God’s Word but to be transformed by it.
Finally, Paul praises their ability to admonish one another. This does not mean simply calling out wrongdoing but lovingly warning and guiding each other away from danger. True discipleship involves accountability, and I have witnessed that here. The willingness to lovingly correct one another for the sake of spiritual growth is a testament to the unity and strength of this church.
The reputation of our church is built on the people, on you. Your goodness, your hunger for God’s truth, and your commitment to helping each other grow in Christ are what make this church a place of gospel witness. Let’s continue to guard and strengthen that reputation for the glory of God.
2. Serve With Rightly-Placed Confidence Which Arises from Christ-Based Humility
After Paul encourages the Roman church and acknowledges their strong reputation, he transitions into discussing his own ministry. He presents himself not as someone boasting about personal achievements but as an example of what it means to serve with rightly placed confidence rooted in humility. Paul’s confidence did not come from self-reliance or arrogance; it came from knowing that everything he had accomplished was because of Christ working through him.
Paul begins by explaining his Apostolic calling in verses 15-19, where he reminds the Roman believers that his calling came from the grace of God. This unearned favor was not something he could boast about as an achievement but as a gift from God to serve as a minister of Christ to the Gentiles. This is where we see Paul’s understanding of himself as a servant, a role similar to that of a priest offering sacrifices to God, except Paul’s offering was the souls of those he had led to Christ. His service was a pleasing aroma to God, and it was all through the power of the Holy Spirit that these offerings were made.
Paul’s confidence was about Christ working through him. He says in verse 17, “Therefore in Christ Jesus, I have found reason for boasting in the things pertaining to God.” Paul’s sense of pride came from what Christ had accomplished through him. This Christ-based humility is a lesson for us. Paul models a combination of boldness and humility that is rare. In our world, confidence is often linked with arrogance or self-reliance. But Paul’s example shows us that true confidence is born out of humility when we acknowledge that our strength, our wisdom, and our achievements come from God, not ourselves.
When Paul speaks of signs and wonders, he is careful to emphasize that these too were done through the power of the Holy Spirit, not by his own hands. This contrasts sharply with today’s culture, where many claim miracles or signs for their own glory or profit. Paul’s ministry always pointed back to the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel. His miracles were meant to validate the truth of Christ and the power of the gospel.
In the end, Paul’s life was a demonstration of what it means to serve with “bold humility.” His confidence came from knowing who he was in Christ and the calling that God had placed on his life. But his humility was rooted in the understanding that none of his achievements were his own — they were Christ’s work in him.
So how did Paul maintain this balance between confidence and humility? It is clear that Paul practiced both self-reflection and had a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. His letters are filled with reminders of his own weaknesses, but also with constant affirmations of Christ’s strength working through him. Paul knew that negative self-talk — the kind that says “I’m worthless” or “I’ll never amount to anything” — would only lead to discouragement and defeat. Instead, he reminded himself of who he was in Christ: chosen, forgiven, and called.
This same confidence and humility are available to us today. When we recognize that we are branches connected to the vine, as Jesus describes in John 15, we can experience the same power and fruitfulness that Paul did. Abiding in Christ is where our strength comes from, and when we live in that strength, God can do amazing things through us.
