Romans 16

In these final verses of this great letter, Paul highlights a number of people for their jobs – Priscilla and Aquila (vs3), Mary (vs6), Urbanus (vs9), Timothy (vs21) and more. They are commended for working hard and doing so “for the Lord”. Not all these people worked in ministry – Erastus was the city’s director of public works. Paul himself was a tentmaker. God has created us to work (Genesis 2:15) and your job is part of God’s plan to redeem this world, in the power of Christ.

Romans 15:14-33

Paul brings his letter to a close with a reminder of his own priestly calling (vs16), speaking of Christ and ministering in the power of Christ, through signs and wonders (vs19). As we pray, share the Gospel and seek the kingdom of God, we too are taking on priestly duties. Paul made sure that Christ was glorified through words (the Gospel – vs18), works (ministry to the poor – vs26-27) and wonders (signs of the kingdom – vs19).  Do we live in this fullness of calling, empowered by the Spirit?

Romans 15:1-13

Jesus came to this world to bring hope. Paul includes the passages from Isaiah 11 to remind the church in Rome that our hope is in Christ. Through Jesus, we are able to endure (vs5), to be encouraged (vs5), to accept others (vs7), and to know joy and peace (vs13). Paul’s final prayer (vs 13) is for us to overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit, being a witness to the world of our hope in Christ.

Romans 14:1-23

Paul is writing to two groups of Christians – those who are more Jewish / conservative, and those who are more Gentile / liberal. These two groups are disagreeing on what to eat and it has caused a division in the church. Paul’s response is to hold fast to the most important elements of the faith – the Gospel and the Lordship of Christ (vs9). He encourages us to ‘disagree well’ on secondary issues, such as matters of diet. We are not to pass judgement on one another or to look down on others, but to love (vs15). How does this wisdom apply to other areas of dispute in our lives / the church?

Romans 13:8-14

Paul outlines, that the only debt we have (following on from vs 6-7) is to love your neighbour as yourself. And in doing so, he urges us to get ready for Christ’s return. As part of his instruction to ‘wake up’, we are to turn from darkness, sexual immorality, drunkenness and jealousy. Instead, we are to clothe ourselves with the Lord. In what ways do you need to wake up and get ready for Christ’s return? What will you do differently, starting today?

Romans 12:9-21

As Christ’s body, we are to show the love of God to each other and to the world. Paul spells out what love in action looks like – pursuing good, honouring others, faithfully praying, showing humility, living at peace with others and overcoming evil with good. What does this look like this week, for you?

Romans 12:3-8

Part of the transformation that takes place in us is a humbling (vs3) and a joining together with other believers, as the body of Christ. Paul encourages us to think of the church as a body, with many parts that work together for one purpose. And so, he encourages us to serve, prophesy, teach, encourage, give and lead, together as one in Christ.

Romans 12:1-2

As Paul moves on from writing about Israel, he urges his readers to worship God by offering our whole lives as a sacrifice. This means that we need to be transformed by God and not be conformed to the world. In particular, our minds need transforming. To what extent are we conforming to the world rather than be transformed by God?

Romans 11:25-36

Paul is fully expectant that “all Israel will be saved” (vs26), backed up by the words of Isaiah, reminding us of God’s covenant with his people. Knowing that “God’s gifts and call are irrevocable” (vs29), we are to expect God to pour out his mercy on the Jewish people (vs31) in the same way he showed mercy to us. Paul is not suggesting that the Jews will be saved apart from Christ. Jesus is the only way of salvation, and the expectation is that ‘Israel as a whole’ will come to salvation in time. We are to show mercy to the Jewish people and pray for their salvation.

Romans 11:11-36

God’s mercy seen through radical inclusion of all.