Once again Paul returns to one of the main reasons for writing this letter, and urges the believers in Rome to avoid divisions with each other and those who cause them. In Christian community there is plenty of room for diverse cultures, perspectives and discussions that compare differing views. But none of these things should cause any kind of division in our relationships with each other or our combined efforts to serve God. (v.17)
People who cause divisions really have their own agenda as the top priority of their heart. They are often good at appearing to side with everyone, telling people what they want to hear, but the results of their interactions with others is division, controversy and being side-tracked from what God wants us to really be about. (v.18)
The Roman Christians were known far and wide for their obedience to God, but Paul also wanted them to carefully avoid gaining experience with evil and instead pursue first-hand experiential knowledge of doing good. (v.19)
Paul points out that Satan will soon be defeated by God, and prays that God's special favor will be with the Roman Christians. The end of this difficult journey is coming! We can persevere knowing that Jesus is with us and will give us what we need to live for him and fulfill the purpose we were made for. (v.20)
After finishing his own greetings to various people in Rome, Paul then extends greetings on behalf of the supportive network of believers with him. Timothy is the same man that Paul mentors in the books of 1st and 2nd Timothy. Jason may have been the same Jason who housed believers at great risk to himself in Acts 17. We have much less information on Lucius and Sosipater. (v.21)
Tertius may have been a scribe lent to Paul by his hosts, but was likely a believer either way, since scribes rarely became personally involved by including their name or greeting in the letters they dictated. (v.22)
Gaius was likely a wealthy man who readily put his resources to God's use, as he is described as giving hospitality to the "whole church" in Corinth, where Paul was writing from. Erastus and Quartus were likely wealthy officials as well, and serve as examples to those of us today who can put our money to work in service to believers (in this case, believers like Paul who teach other believers) and to God. (v.23-24)
Many letters of this time period end with simple well-wishes, but Paul anticipates that his letter will be read in worship services and gatherings of believers and so includes a benediction at the end.
When trying to absorb the meaning of Paul's benedictions, it's sometimes helpful to read the beginning, then skip to the end, followed by the middle.
Paul is praying that glory be attributed to God. "Glory" is like another way of saying "a revelation of true nature". If someone "gets the glory", they get the credit, the attention, the admiration for who they are. (Unless of course they are "stealing" glory that isn't really theirs.) So Paul's prayer is that God be recognized for the incomparable being that he is, and that people would see who he is because of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done and is doing (the meaning of "through" Jesus Christ).
Paul's words "in the middle" of this benediction serve as examples and reminders of why God is worth all the "glory" we can give him.
God is able to "establish" (make stable or strengthen) us through the teaching of the gospel that Paul provides and through having an understanding of, and trust in, who Christ is.
Although for hundreds of years the identity of the Messiah was a mystery, it has been revealed that Jesus is the promised Messiah through prophetic writings orchestrated by God. (Paul is likely referring primarily to Old Testament prophecy.)
The divine intent of this truth being revealed is that all nations will believe in and truly obey God, rather than trusting in and obeying our own ideas and priorities.
God doesn't want everyone to obey him out of some insecure need for attention. He is the "only wise" God. He consistently knows what is best for everyone and is the ultimate source of truth regarding what will truly fulfill our needs and desires forever. (v.25-27) Giving him glory, worship and obedience ultimately leads to the greatest fulfillment!
Coffee House Question- What have you found encouraging or revealing about our look through the book of Romans?
Next- What Habakkuk can tell us about "The Self Destruct Code"!
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