14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you
yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct
one another. 15 But on some points I
have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given
me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly
service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be
acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not
venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through to bring the Gentiles
to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the
Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have
fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my
ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I
build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,
"Those who have never been told
of him will see,
and those who have never heard will
understand."
This was definitely a team
effort. Paul takes the time to
acknowledge his fellow laborers who have served alongside him, as well as those
who continued a ministry after his departure.
He is not naïve to believe that these ministries would continue without
the commitment of the faithful. As he
closes the book, he gives them some last words of instruction and encouragement
to carry on the good work for the glory of Christ- who is altogether worthy!
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my
gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery
that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through
the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the
command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27to the
only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Really enjoyed this post. I am studying these people in chapter 16 this week. Paul was definitely a man who poured himself into the lives of others. He wasn't an island unto himself. In a multitude of counsellors there is safety.
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