Romans 15:15-33 …helping the new believer pt 3
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (to what is Paul saying the Gentile converts need to be obedient? Is it not the Torah?)
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
The reference here is to the Northern Kingdom being dispersed among the nations and subsequently intermarrying. They become the stick of Ephraim or the wild olive tree.
Jeremiah 25:8-9 “Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.”
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Most explicitly, this is not “a saint”, which denotes a personal, continual lifelong effort to attain such a stature and position of recognized character, along with a formal recognition by the Roman Catholic Church.
There are the Redeemed Kinsmen through trust in Jesus Anointed are indeed the holy ones of Yahweh God, with Jesus himself being the Holy One of God and we ourselves, his redeemed brothers.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors (owe another) they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers (partnered) of their spiritual things (training in the scriptures), their duty is also to minister (be charitable) unto them in carnal things.(worldly needs, clothing etc.)
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Once I have taught them this principle)
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea (circumcision party); and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
(This is the technical end of the letter, Chapter 16 is a P.S.)
Berean Breadcrumbs 
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