Romans: Part 8 - Ch. 15-16

Closing Thoughts

The time has finally come in our study of Romans where we have reached the end. Paul wraps up his letter here in great fashion by explaining his plans in ministry going forward and also by giving his final instructions to fellow believers. These two chapters may indeed be the end of Romans, however, they are very powerful chapters, to say the least. Like most instructive and persuasive writings, the end of the letter is one that often goes out with a bang. Paul is sure to do the same with this letter as well. Not only does Paul do an overview of much of what he has already discussed, but he gives a final warning for everyone to follow in chapter 16 as well that we can’t afford to overlook. As Ligonier Ministries accurately states, “Paul's concluding doxology recalls many of the major themes of his letter, no doubt in order to make sure that readers do not forget the important emphases of the epistle.” These aspects that Paul goes over at the end may be repetitive, but this is because they serve a vital purpose. Jesus being the savior of the Jews and Gentiles has certainly been a main point of this letter, but this is obviously because we need to understand this. Points like this one and many others are what tempt us to gloss over these last few chapters when, in reality, it should be the last thing we do. We need to be sure to pay close attention to what Paul has to say about the power of the gospel so that we may know how to apply it efficiently in our own lives. With this in mind, let’s see how Paul closes this great letter. 

Bear Each Other's Burdens

To begin, Paul starts off chapter 15 by building off of what he discussed in chapter 14. If you recall from our last post, Paul talked about how stronger believers shouldn’t pass down judgment onto weaker believers who aren’t as far along in their walk with the Lord. He follows this up by discussing how stronger believers shouldn’t just not judge weaker followers of Christ, but they should bear their burdens as well. Romans 15:1-2 tells us, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” This is a beautiful and yet very insightful command from Paul. As someone who has followed Christ for many years, it is not just my job to make newer believers feel loved as a fellow believer, but it is also my job to make sure they are strengthened because this is what will ultimately lead to their edification. How often can Christ followers honestly say they do this? If you yourself have been saved for quite some time, let me ask you, when was the last time you helped disciple a fellow believer? This question may feel like it’s calling you out, and it very well may be. However, I want you to be encouraged by it at the same time. God has given you as a gift to newer believers in order to help disciple them and lead them into a stronger, growing relationship with Christ. That is no small task and an amazing honor that our Lord has given us. Paul goes on to conclude this chapter by going over again how Christ is the hope of both Jews and Gentiles and by discussing his future ministry plans. It is amazing as well that Paul is again saying one last time that Christ isn’t just the hope for one nation; He is the hope for all. I know we may understand this more than the Romans did in their day and age, but it is a vital point that we must remember nonetheless. Christ is the hope for every person we have ever met in our lives because only He has made a way for salvation with God forever.

Final Warning

Furthermore, the final chapter of Romans ends with Paul addressing specific people in the church and giving instructions for them in their current day. We mustn’t gloss over this chapter, though, because Paul still gives some very important advice for the Church overall that we must take to heart as well. Probably the biggest piece of advice Paul gives us here that can be applied to us today comes halfway through this chapter. Romans 16:17-18 tells us, “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” Think about this for a second. This mighty book that describes and proclaims the gospel in such a powerful way is concluded by discussing the danger of false teachers… It might seem at first like this is an overreaction by Paul to include this in his conclusion, but I would beg to differ. I believe that the reason this warning is included in this passage at the end of this great book is because we don’t take false teachers nearly seriously enough. Not only do these people teach what is contrary to the Word of God, but Paul mentions that they can deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. So, what must we do in this scenario? Two things immediately come to mind that we can do to fend off false teachers, and it’s by doing exactly what Paul did. First, we must call them out. When we hear false teaching, we must be willing to say it’s incorrect. We must not do this out of the desire to gossip but out of a desire to lead people to the truth. 

We shouldn’t be seeking to tear someone down as much as we should be seeking to lead people to the truth. Second, we must know our Bibles. Probably the fastest way to spot a false teacher and false teaching is by knowing what the Bible says ourselves. How can someone spot a lie when they don’t know what the truth is themselves? This is why regularly reading God’s Word and being a part of a Bible teaching church is very important for our growth and protection as believers. This is also why Paul addresses the church at the very end of this letter as well. The Church wasn’t just meant to be a place that let outsiders know where Christians were, it was meant to be a place that builds up the body of Christ. This is what we must take away from this amazing book. God seeks to use His Church by having the stronger believers disciple and help the weaker ones, and a great way we can do this is by leading younger believers to know their Bibles better and lead them away from false teaching. I hope and pray that as we have broken down and dissected the book of Romans this month, it was as great of a blessing to you as it was to me. May God use our study of this great book to change the way we view the gospel in our own lives and to grow us into stronger followers of Christ. 

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Sources

[1] Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/

[2] (Paul’s Concluding Doxology | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org, 2014)