Journey through the Book of Romans

Paul commends their True Worship and Proclaims his desire

Romans 15:14-19 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. NKJV

Paul knowing the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in the hearts of everyone redeemed by Him and washed from their sins in “His Own Blood” though he has never met these Christians yet “in the flesh” or “face to face” is certain of the character being worked out in them by God the Holy Spirit. Paul writes to them as if he has spent many days, weeks, months, and even years living and fellowshipping and worshiping God the Father with them. Paul was convinced in his own heart (at the time of writing this letter) that these men and women that professed faith in our Lord Jesus Christ were deeply filled up with first the English word “goodness” which is translated from the Greek word agathosune which means virtue (the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong); uprightness of heart and life. Paul at the very beginning of this epistle or letter wrote to them of the great things he heard of them throughout his many journeys proclaiming the gospel of Christ the “one thing he does” everywhere he goes when he said this, Romans 1:8-12 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. KJV

Secondly, Paul was convinced of them that they were deeply filled up with all “knowledge” and this English word is translated from the Greek word gnosis which means having an understanding of the general knowledge of Christianity and also the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ especially the things that are lawful and unlawful for a follower of Christ in this world of sin and the knowledge of all the things that are seen in, make for, and lead to right living. Paul believes in his own mind and concludes that since they are so filled up with the “goodness of God” and the “knowledge of God” that it is then possible for them and they are of power to and empowered by God the Holy Spirit to worship together with each other in truth even when they must “admonish” one another. The English word admonish is translated from the Greek word noutheteo which means to put in mind; (by implication) to caution or reprove gently or to warn. Paul knowing his calling in our Lord Jesus Christ realizes his responsibility to all of his brothers and sisters in Christ to be more than just their cheerleader and encourager, but he knows that true love for the brethren seeks their “good” i.e. moral excellence and moral virtue at all times.

Therefore, Paul commends these Christians in Rome for the things he has heard of them as he stated in the beginning of his letter in Romans 1:8. Paul is joyful to know that they are worshiping our Lord Jesus in spirit and truth even in the times of difficulty when some must be warned of their behavior that veers away from true worship and living rightly in Christ Jesus our Lord. This part of our relationship to Christ and to one another is not popular or is it easy but we are given by our Lord Jesus the pattern or outline or path or guidelines or instructions on how we must carry out this loving responsibility as He described for us here, Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” NKJV Paul declares to them that because he was so confident in their faith in Christ Jesus our Lord being real or genuine, it enabled him and inspired him to be more bold with his words in this entire letter reminding them of the deep truths of our faith in Christ and warning them to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Paul wanted them to know that it is because of his calling in our Lord Jesus Christ as His Apostle that he is charged to speak with great boldness declaring the whole counsel of God and never watering down the gospel of grace or giving it a different spin to avoid persecution from Jews or Gentiles, as Paul said to the believers in Ephesus with these words, Acts 20:17-27 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. KJV

Paul was so mindful of his accountability to our Lord Jesus Christ for what he preached and taught to every Gentile that his words were never tempered to gain popularity or to bring ease of life or acceptance of his person if it brought reproach, rebuke, or reviling to Christ Holy Name and made the Sacrifice of His Blood some sort or trivial or light thing, and therefore, he wanted the Gentiles that he declared the gospel of grace to be “acceptable” or the Greek translation of euprosdektos which means well received, approved, and favorable to our Lord Jesus Christ each one for their personal eternal good and for our Lord’s Glory. Paul wanted every Gentile that made a profession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to be true worshipers of Him being made holy, purified, venerated, and consecrated by God the Holy Spirit.

“The Gentiles are themselves the sacrifice offered up to God by Paul, in the name of Christ, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, Romans 12:1. A sanctified soul is offered up to God in the flames of love, upon Christ the altar. Paul gathered in souls by his preaching, not to keep them to himself, but to offer them up to God: Behold, I, and the children that God hath given me. And it is an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Paul preached to them, and dealt with them; but that which made them sacrifices to God was their sanctification; and this was not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost. None are acceptably offered to God but those that are sanctified: unholy things can never be pleasing to the holy God.” Matthew Henry

“Paul’s life was laid down as an example of what a “true disciple” of Christ Jesus our Lord looks like in the flesh and it is very much made mentioned of and talked about, but rarely seen actually carried out in our modern day. Paul did not merely talk about dying daily, he literally died every day of his life (1 Corinthians 15:31) beating his own body into submission striving against sin (1 Corinthians 9:27) and likewise being beat on many occasions (2 Corinthians 11:23-25) was this done by him so that he might gain earthly wealth or temporary physical health, no it was because of his love for Christ Jesus our Lord and his desire to be the Apostle our Lord Jesus called him to be for Christ Glory.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…