Romans Part 48 – Romans 15:27- 16:2
Verse 27-29
• “It hath pleased them verily” – Those in Macedonia and Achaia were generous givers – 2Cor 8:1-4, 9:1-7.
• “and their debtors they are” – Historically, spiritually – Gen 12:3, Rom 3:2.
• “For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things” - Don’t get tripped up here, there is a difference between the Spiritual and physical that Israel was promised.
I. Salvation – John 4:22 – Acts 28:28
II. The Lord Jesus Christ – John 1:11, Rom 9:5 – 2Cor 5:16, Rom 15:16, Eph 2:12-18
III. The Spirit – John 14:16-18, Acts 1:4 – 1Cor 3:16, Eph 1:13.
• “their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things” - 1Cor 9:11, Gal 6:6 – The remnant does not exist today, therefore this duty does not apply.
• Verse 27 does not say we are partakers of Israel’s covenants and physical blessings – Eze 36:26-32, Jer – 31:31-34. We also have unsearchable riches – Eph 3:8
• “vs 28” – Talking of delivering the gift to the poor saints in Jerusalem, the fruit is the result of the grace of God working in the Macedonians and those in Achaia – Phil 4:14-17
• “vs 29” – The fulness of the blessing of the gospel is its working in them. Even though Paul arrives to Rome in chains, he still has the fulness of the blessing of the gospel because it is spiritual and not physical therefore no man can take it away – Rom 1:11
Verse 30-33
• “vs 30” – Paul ask them to pray with him concerning his going back to Jerusalem – Phil 4:6-7
• “vs 31 & 32” – Paul has 3 prayer request. God doesn’t promise to answer our prayers today – Rom 1:9-10 was not answered, but you could say in some sense these 3 were.
I. That he may be delivered of them that do not believe in Judea – Act 21:27-32, 23:19-24
II. That my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints – Acts 21:17-26
III. “Vs 32” – Acts 28:15-16, 30-31
• “God of peace” – 1Cor 14:33 – The unbelieving don’t know peace – Rom 3:17. We experience the peace of God through prayer and obedience to his will – Phil 4:6-9. Rom 5:1 is different.
Verse 1-2
• “I commend unto you Phebe our sister” – This is the only mention of Phebe in the scriptures. But she received commendation from Paul for her service.
• “which is a servant of the church at Cenchrea” - This is the only mention of the church at Cenchrea. The city is only mentioned one other time in the scriptures – Act 18:18 – Cenchrea is near Corinth and it could be that Paul visited there during his stay in Corinth – Acts 18:1,11.
• “That ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints” – Receive her in worthy manner as a sister and saint.
• “and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you” – Paul was not a misogynist, some may say so because he taught headship and did not allow women to teach usurping authority – 1Cor 11:3, 1Tim 2:11-12, learn in silence – 1Cor 14:33-35. All passages must be read in context. Paul also wrote – Gal 3:28, Eph 5:28, Tit 2:3-5, Phil 4:3, Rom 16:1-2.
• “for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” – No doubt Phebe was one of those women who laboured with Paul in the gospel. One person can not do all ministry.
• Succourer ~ A female guardian, protectress, caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with their affairs~ Some believe Phebe delivered the epistle to Rome.
