The Hope of the Gospel

So does it work—this beautiful offer of salvation and grace to live the Christian life? Romans tells us it does and helps to ground us in our faith.

As he nears the end of his letter, Paul now asks the Jews and Gentiles, Will you come together in one body to glorify God? Paul has given us wonderful doctrine; now, he’s putting it into practice.

To the Gentiles, he says, The Word of God we’re reading (the Old Testament to them) is written for you, too (15:4). God wants you to know His Word. How does it help you? The Word of God brings patience, comfort, and hope. It also channels blessing to the body of Christ when we are united in it.

On their own, Jews and Gentiles were once one voice, but now they are singing God’s praise together. God always intended that Gentiles would eventually come to know Jesus Christ. (See Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1, and Isaiah 11:10.) What a comfort that must have been to the mostly Gentile audience originally reading this letter.

Paul finishes the teaching section of the book of Romans with this beautiful benediction:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -v. 13

Do you see a new name for God? He is “the God of hope” and wants to fill us with joy and peace in believing. This is what God’s Word does for you. It strengthens your faith and brings you joy and peace.

As he closes his letter, Paul sends along some personal notes. After speaking so boldly and bluntly about sin and salvation, now he writes warmly to his friends whom he hopes to visit soon.

Paul had traveled from one end of the Roman Empire and now wanted to go to new territory—to the frontiers of Spain. But first, he was traveling back to Jerusalem. He wanted to deliver the love offering collected from Asia Minor churches to the Jerusalem church with his own hands. Why? Because with his own hands, he had once led in the persecution of believers there. With a compassionate heart, Paul wanted to care for them.

This trip back to Jerusalem put Paul into the hands of his enemies, the Jewish religious rulers who had him arrested years before. He asked the believers in Rome to intercede for him. Please pray my life will be delivered from my enemies. And pray the church in Jerusalem will accept this love gift from Gentiles.

Both Paul’s requests were answered, but perhaps not as we would have designed. (See Acts 27-28 for the great story.) Despite prison and chains and storm and shipwreck, Paul experienced “the God of peace” (v. 33) as he traveled to Rome.

May you, too, have that same kind of peace in your life as you walk with Jesus Christ in the power of His Spirit and invite Him to strengthen your faith.

Next: We’ll give Paul and Romans a proper send-off.