1:26-32

NEXT WEEK'S VERSES: 2:1-11

So on we go. Paul has been talking about the wrath of God being revealed in the direction of the unbelieving world. They knew God was there and great but suppressed the truth and so continue on their destructive course and God eventually gives them over to the natural consequences of their choices. Paul continues to describe their path, what they become and what they do:

(26) For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

M –First, because man didn’t want to acknowledge God He ‘gave them up’ to live the lie they chose; they were unclean and dishonored in the foolishness of false worship. Now we have the second ‘God gave them up.’ This time He gives them up to vile passions (shameful, disgraceful passions.) These passions included women choosing what is un-natural instead of what is natural. The greek word translated ‘use’ here is literally in the greek lexicon ‘of the sexual use’.

A –Passions and desires can be natural and good, or against what’s natural and vile, shameful and disgraceful. Sexual relationships outside of the way we are created and outside the bible’s counsels are not right passions.

(27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

M –Paul adds that it wasn’t just the women but also the men who got involved in sexual sin. Even though it was contrary to everything that was natural, men burned in desire for one another instead of the opposite sex. And there are penalties for choosing this state.

A –Many people claim the bible doesn’t say anything against homosexuality, but here we have a very clear instance of it. Both sexual immorality and homosexual immorality are said to be a part of man walking away from the knowledge of God and into His wrath. This doesn’t mean we should hate homosexuals (Paul will go on to show that we are all sinners even if we haven’t committed this sin) but we should call homosexuality what the bible calls it: Un-natural and a walking into God’s judgment along with other sin.

(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

M –The third ‘God gave them over’ occurs now. Since they didn’t want to keep God in the picture, He abandoned them to their own evil minds. The word debased is a word that could mean metals and coins failing a test. If metal and coins don’t pass the test of quality or authenticity, they aren’t worth anything. A mind that throws God out is no longer worth anything because it can’t come to natural conclusions anymore. Because God lets these people shut off their minds, they end up doing things that are not fitting.

A –When we take God out of the picture, we end up doing foolish things because His presence is what gives us our existence, purpose, and obligations.

(29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil–mindedness; they are whisperers,

M -Now Paul begins a list of the things ‘which are not fitting’ which he mentioned above. The person who doesn’t like to keep God in their knowledge ends up doing these things:

‘Filled with all unrighteousness’ –These people aren’t just and don’t do what’s right

‘Sexual immorality’ –Sexual intercourse outside of God’s counsel

‘Wickedness’ –Evil purposes, desires

‘Covetousness’ –Greed, desiring what others have

‘Maliciousness’ –Shameless desire to rebel and injure others

‘Full of envy’ –Envious

‘Murder’ –Murder

‘Strife’ –Anger, fighting, contending

‘Deceit’ –Deceit

‘Evil-mindedness’ –obvious

‘They are whisperers’ –Slanderers, people who gossip and speak unrightly about them to paint a bad picture.

It’s interesting to see things like gossip and envy listed in the same category as Murder and Sexual Immorality. We may consider some sins worse, but they are all sin and the result of people not liking to retain God in their knowledge.

(30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

‘Backbiters’ –people who ‘speak against’ or ‘speak evil’. Seems to be a form of gossip.

‘Haters of God’ –people who hate God, and are exceptionally wicked

‘Violent’ –Rude and arrogant lack of respect in speech and actions

‘Proud’ –Arrogant and proud

‘Boasters’ –Pretenders, imposters, boastful

‘Inventors of evil things’ –Like it says

‘Disobedient to parents’ –Not submissive or compliant with parents

(31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

‘Undiscerning’ -unintelligent, without understanding, stupid

‘Untrustworthy’ –covenant breakers, unfaithful

‘Unloving’ –without natural affection, unsociable

‘Unforgiving’ –one who won’t enter into a treaty or covenant,

‘Unmerciful’ –without mercy, never willing to let someone off the hook

A –We have been reading a list that describes the people who don’t like to retain God in their knowledge and what they do. What we become when we keep walking away from God is an awful thing. Who wants to be around people like those mentioned here? It’s hard to read this list without becoming aware that some of these describe parts of our own life. If we already have relationship with Christ and find these things present in our life, we need to throw them off, they are part of our old nature and way of living. We would like to blame our sinful actions on our past, our parents, or the circumstances of our life, but the truth is they are the result of our rebellion against God.

(32) who, knowing the righteous judgment that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

M -These people know these things are wrong and that they deserve punishment. The God who made and gave them everything has the right to take their life for walking away from Him. Knowing it’s wrong, they keep doing these things and even justify their actions and approve of people doing them.

A –There is a consequence for walking away from God and our heart knows that our sin deserves punishment. Even if someone is unwilling to admit it, they know right and wrong. It’s the natural progression of sinful man to get worse and worse and then attempt to define their sin as acceptable and the norm.

It’s worth noting that since our culture is so full of people behaving this way, we are seeing the wrath of God being revealed (1:18).The world has no excuse for the path we have taken and surely have no righteousness of our own. Fortunately, the gospel will reveal a righteousness from God (1:17). Looking at this should show each of our hearts that we need it.

Hope it made some sense and challenged you to think about the state of the world. We really do need to pray the gospel reaches out to turn people off the destructive path they are walking...and make sure we're not walking it with them.

His,

I & K

1:16-25

OK, Here's the notes on 1:16-25. NEXT WEEKS VERSES ARE: 1:26-32

Please forgive any spelling errors or bad grammar and other dumb things, limited time has not allowed for me to comb through the notes to make them perfect. Hope you're blessed going through it and comparing your notes, love to hear any thoughts if you have them. 

God Bless, I & K

(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation

 

M –Paul isn’t ashamed of the good news. The reason being is that it has power for salvation. Some messages might encourage us, but don’t really carry the power to save us. If the news is true and can lead you towards something that can save you then it’s powerful. Save us from what? The rest of the book seems to make it clear that he’s referring to being saved from our sin and saved from wrath as a judgment of it (Romans 5:9 / 1 Thess. 5:9.)

 

A –The gospel may be something we’re tempted to feel ashamed of, but it’s the most valuable thing we can give people when it can save them. We wouldn’t be ashamed to tell people to leave a burning building because what we are telling them has the power to save them.

 

(16) for everyone who believes,

 

M –This is the description of who receives the salvation, not just the person who hears the message, but the person who believes it.

 

A –It’s not enough to just know the good news, we have to believe it. “The medicine prepared will not cure the patient if it be not taken.” –Matthew Henry. If you tell someone the building has started burning but they don’t believe you then they won’t leave and they won’t be saved.

 

(16) for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 

M –Not sure what all Paul has in mind when He says this, but we know both Christ and His disciples went to the Jewish people before the non-Jews. The Jews were the people who received God’s special revelation and expectation of a savior to come. ‘Greek’ here seems to just imply anyone ‘non Jewish.’

 

(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;

 

M –The word ‘righteousness’ will appear again and again in this letter. Most of the time it carries the idea of either God being ‘in the right’ or a person having a right-standing with God. Many would refer to this verse as the theme of the letter. When something is revealed it implies something that was hidden, and is now visible. In the good news, a right-standing with God is made visible. ‘From faith to faith’ can literally be translated ‘out of faith, into faith.’ Whatever this means it implies the centrality of faith (or trust) in the good news of God.

 

A –If we could focus on learning and walking in one thing it might be faith –or trust in God. If we’re going to have a right-standing with God it’s going to have to come from God.

 

(17) As it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

 

M -This is an Old Testament quotation from Hab. 2:4. Even before Christ came and the gospel revealed this righteousness, it was talked about in the O.T. (Old Testament.)

 

A –When I hear this verse, it points past just a one time act of faith, but a lifestyle of trust in God. Also, as Paul often quotes it, we have a lot to learn from the OT as it was authored by the same God of the New Testament and spoke in expectation and figures of the things that would come later.

 

(18) The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men

 

M –‘wrath’ has the idea of anger, often exhibited in punishment. The anger of God is revealed from heaven (where our Father is Mt.6:9.) His anger is against everything unlike Him or disrespecting of Him (ungodliness) and against everything not right. Some commentators point to the possible connection of ungodliness in reference to the Jews, who knew in the law what was godly and unrighteousness for the gentiles who knew from their consciences what was right.

 

A –Here, even in the New Testament, God is shown to be angry at sin. He hasn’t changed from the Old Testament, we just have a gospel to cling to now. We have to remember all that the bible says God is, He is loving but He also hates ungodliness.

 

(18) who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

 

M –Ungodly and unrighteous people suppress (hold back) the truth.

 

A –It’s part of our sinful nature to avoid the truth because it reveals that God has the right to be in charge and that we have sinned against Him.

 

(19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

 

M –What can be known about God is plain to man, because God has made it plain to plan.

 

A –While we can’t know everything about God, there are some things we can know about Him. And even if someone doesn’t have a bible to know more about God, there are some things about Him that should be obvious to man.

 

(20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

 

M -Ever since the world was created, just by looking at creation, a couple things could be obvious to man.

 

1. His eternal power: Creation shows proof of a creator and one of great power. We cannot even fathom how big our galaxy let alone the universe. How powerful God must be to create all of this!
2. His Godhead (divine nature): I guess the thought here is that the creator is God, something higher than us that we owe our existence and everything to.

 

Man will never be able to use the excuse that He didn’t know of God and His power.

 

A –Even if someone has never possessed or read a bible, if they are honest, looking at creation points to the fact that there is a God out there and He is powerful. Someone can say and choose to not believe in God, but He has left enough evidence for them to know He’s there and He’s higher than us.

 

(21) because, although they knew God they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

 

M –Men will be without excuse, because even though they knew God was there and great, they didn’t honor Him for what He is. They weren’t thankful, even though He had given them everything. Futile means basically pointless or empty. Because they didn’t let the facts lead their minds to the natural conclusion (that God is there and should be honored and thanked) their thoughts became useless. Their foolish hearts being darkened seems to imply the confusion and aimlessness they walk into.

 

A - When we shut off the facts and look for other solutions to suit ourselves, our thinking is pointless because it leads to no real answers. When we try to explain away God we are always walking into darkness and foolishness, we know better.

 

(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools,

 

M –When people choose not to acknowledge and honor God, they may claim to be wise and have a wisdom from this world, but they become fools. They are unwilling to acknowledge the reality of God who built them and the world they live in. They’ve chosen ignorance.

 

A –Psalm 14:1 says ‘The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’’ True wisdom is found when we follow facts to their source.

 

(23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 

M –Instead of worshiping the glorious God of eternity, sinful men choose to worship images of men and animals…things on the same and lower levels than themselves. They decided it would be easier to imagine a statue was God than to just acknowledge there was a God.

 

A –Whenever we aren’t thinking of God as who He really is, we end up worshiping a God of our own imagination or one presented to us differently. We don’t get to decide who God is, just discover who He actually is and worship Him.

 

(24) Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves

 

M –This section opened by saying ‘the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (18).’ The progression goes like this: Man chooses to hold back the truth –God now gives them up to uncleanness. He ‘seconds their motion’ and allows them to receive the natural consequences of their choice. ‘uncleanness’ is contrasted with holiness in 1 Thess. 4:7 so may be a general term for all ungodliness. God stops holding them back from the things they desire so much as a judgment. Man is made in God’s image and was put over the animals in Genesis, but he dishonors himself worshiping images of things He was made to rule over.

 

A –It is God’s grace when He confronts us with our sin so we can turn from it, it’s His wrath when He stops confronting us and lets us go our own way. Man is not inherently good, left to himself He will bring destruction and dishonor on himself.

 

(25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped an served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 

M –Again, these people chose a lie instead of God. They worshiped and served created things instead of the one who created them. It’s like being infatuated with a basketball signed by Michael Jordan when He’s standing right there with you. God alone should be blessed (praised) forever and will be by some. ‘Amen’ means ‘truly’. God is the truth.

 

A –Proverbs 23:23 says we should ‘buy the truth and do not sell it.’ The intended meaning seems to line up with this verse: Nothing is worth selling the truth for. If you choose to turn away from reality and do your own thing you’re only kidding yourself. Only God should be worshipped. 

CHAPTER 1:1-15

Next weeks verses: 1:16-25

So, here's our notes on the first chunk. I'm reading out of New King James but I tried to label the verses so you'll know what I'm commenting on. Under the sections of scripture I'm putting things in the categories of 'M' and 'A.' The 'M' is what the MEANING of the passage seems to be and 'A' is the APPLICATION of how it relates to our thoughts and lives. It's challenging in this passage to see how focused Paul is on the gospel, we have a lot to learn from his mind-set and example. Please share any thoughts you had going through! 

CHAPTER 1

(1) Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

M- The writer of the letter introduces himself. It was a common way of writing at this time for the author to identify himself at the beginning of a letter.

Paul was formerly referred to as ‘Saul’ before his conversion to Christianity. He was from a Roman province called Tarsus, which was the capital of Cilicia. He was a devout Jew, a pupil of a well-know Rabbi named Gamaliel. As some point He learned the trade of being a tent-maker, apparently this was a common trade in Tarsus. As Christianity began to slowly gain momentum, many of the religious Jews in Jerusalem opposed it, and Saul became a strong enemy of Christianity. On His way to try to find and imprison Christians in the city of Damascus, Paul encountered a light from heaven and fell to the ground. Jesus said to Him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This became the great turning point in Saul’s life and God began the process of changing His heart and eventually using Him as a missionary and advocate of the gospel, as well as to write numerous books of our New Testament.

Paul refers to Himself as a bondservant. The word can mean ‘one who gives himself up to the will of another.’ It’s the idea of being someone’s servant and existing to do all that THEY desire. Paul views himself as a man who lives to accomplish what Jesus Christ wants.

A- This should become the attitude of every Christian who realizes that Christ came and suffered to give them everlasting life…the least we can do is give ourselves back to the one who loved us and offer to be their servant. Are we all about doing our own will or being given up to the will of God? We would all think it a huge honor to be asked to be the assistant and servant of some famous person in high position, how much more should we consider it an honor to be the servants of the most powerful being in the universe!

(1) Called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

M- Paul saw himself first as a servant of God, and also an apostle. An apostle is ‘one sent forth with a message or orders.’ The message Paul has been sent with is the gospel of God. Gospel means ‘good news’. Paul considers himself separated to the gospel. People separate their fine china for the purpose of special occasions. Paul considers himself set apart for one main use, to share the good news of God.

A- What a great thing that we are all called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20) and the message isn’t just one of doom but of Good News! How much do we see ourselves as separated to the gospel of God? Do we see that as one of our main purposes in life?

 (2) Which he promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures

M- God used prophets and the writers of the Old Testament to promise that the Good News was going to come. All of the prophecies about Jesus and what He would come and do pointed to the Good News that was coming.

(3) Concerning His Son Jesus Christ

M- This is what the prophets promised in the Old Testament scriptures…that a Messiah would come. That Messiah they spoke of was Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is God’s Son.

A- Many people like to just think of Jesus as just a good moral teacher...But the bible says over and over that Jesus is God’s Son. And so we must take him much more serious that any human teacher and know that His words aren’t just from someone with good thoughts, but from the very maker of the universe who we will all face someday (Heb. 9:27.)

(3) Our Lord

M- Paul refers to Jesus as ‘our Lord.’ It’s not just a meaningless phrase to him. When someone is your Lord, they are your leader, your master, the one who possesses you and the one in charge. True Christians consider Jesus Christ not just their Savior (although He is that) but also their Lord.

A- Who is better to choose as Lord of your life than the one who loves you enough to give His life for you and who has all the power in the world to help you and lead you in all He asks of you?

(3) Who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh

M- Seed refers to offspring and flesh here refers to just the physical life. Jesus was born of Mary, who was part of the ancestry of King David from the Old Testament. This is important because the scriptures said the messiah would come from David’s line (1 Chronicles 17:11-14.)

(4) And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

M- Jesus wasn’t just a man born from David’s ancestry, but also showed himself to be the Son of God. The  power of the Holy Spirit of God was on Him through His life and He raised from the dead, something that no one can initiate on their own. Only God has the power over life and death. Death couldn’t hold Him and never will take Him again. Jesus was fully man, from the line of David, and fully God as proved by His rising from the dead.

(5) Through Him we have received grace and apostleship

M- Bible scholars point out this phrase can mean that Paul received both grace AND apostleship from Jesus –which would be true. OR, it can mean Paul received the grace (divine gift) of apostleship –which would also be true. Either way, grace means un-earned favor from God.

A- We don’t deserve any of what He gives us, but He gives it anyway. Jesus is the one who gave Paul the mission of carrying the gospel, and Jesus is the one who sent all Christians out to ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Mt.28:19.) What a privilege it is that God has let a bunch of unworthy sinners be His messengers to take the good news to the world!

(5) For the obedience to the faith

M- This is one way of defining the goal of the gospel; That the whole world would be obedient to the faith. What faith? Faith represents trust. In the gospel, people are called to turn from trust in themselves and the world’s system to trusting God. .

A- The world’s way is to live for yourself and be obedient to your desires. The Christian way is to live for God and be obedient to a life of trust in all He says and asks. We trust Him first for paying the debt of our sin and then learn to trust Him for everything else.

(5) Among all the nations for His name

M- The message is for every nation on earth…come put your trust in Jesus! It is For Jesus’ name. When the bible talks about Jesus’ name, it’s talking about all that He is and the power, reputation and honor that comes with it. We pray ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’ This means, in part, ‘God let your name be respected and honored.’ When people come put their trust in Christ it shows that God is the one worthy to be trusted and served. And their lives show that walking with God is the best thing we could ever have and brings honor to God’s name.

(6) Among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ

M- Paul makes it personal to the Romans. If God has called the whole world to belong to Him, it includes them.

(7) To all who are in Rome

M- This is who the letter was originally sent to…the people in Rome.

(7) Beloved of God, called to be saints

M- The people are loved by God. This is why the message is being sent, because God loves us and wants us to be with Him (1 Thess. 5:10.) The word ‘saints’ has the idea of people being unique, set apart, and holy.

A- We are not just loved by God, but called to be saints. Many people think of saints as this religious elite of people who have come close to perfection, but Paul and the other writers of the New Testament point out that all believers are called to be saints. When we come to Christ, God gives us a new identity as his children, set apart and unique. Then we have to learn how to act like we are.

What a privilege to be called God’s saints! Since part of being a saint is being set apart and different, we have to expect that our lives as Christians will look different from the world. We live to serve God and we are being changed to be more like Jesus.

We have a tendency as people to rise to the identity that is given to us. God gives Christians the identity of saints, and expects us to learn to act like what we are. We are holy children of God. Like being princes in a royal family we must learn to act appropriate to our identity.

(7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

M- It is a regular thing for Paul to wish God’s grace and peace to the people He writes to. It’s sort of like saying ‘May God keep giving you more of his unearned love and give you a sense of tranquility, security and assurance.’ He points out that this can only come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can give you more grace and peace. He mentions both God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ –two parts of God’s ‘3 person nature.’ We see here that He views God and Jesus on the same level, but not as the same person.

A- God can be viewed as our father. Some of us haven’t had very good earthly Fathers, but our heavenly Father is perfect and invites us to think of Him in an approachable and personal way. Jesus taught when we pray that we can think of God as our Father (Mt.6).

(8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all

M- Before getting into His content Paul takes time to thank God for them. He says that He thanks God THROUGH Jesus Christ. There is no other way we have access or relationship with God except THROUGH Jesus Christ. He is the way (John 14:6.)

A- Being thankful is always a good place to start and should be a defining attribute of a follower of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:18.)

(8) That your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world

M- ‘This is what Paul is thankful for, that there is a buzz about their walk with God. ‘Whole world’ here probably doesn’t mean ‘the entire earth without exception’ but simply a blanket statement to say their faith is being spoken of in lots of places. Similar to one of us saying something like ‘everyone’s talking about it.’ Of course we don’t mean everyone without exception but just that lots of people are talking about it.

A- The churches in any city should be serving God in such a way that it’s worth being spoken of all over. The faith of Christians is what people should be talking about…that we trust God and walk with Him in an amazing way.

(9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing, I make mention of you always in my prayers.

M- Paul wants to assure them that He is being honest when He says He prays often for the believers in Rome. Paul has started so many other churches himself, He had so many other things to think about, but anyone included in the body of Christ would become part of his prayers. He says that he serves God with His spirit. Perhaps the connection is that He is calling God as his witness that He prays for them. Only God would truly know, we can do outward actions of religion that seem convincing but only God knows our spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul told the Christians there to ‘pray without ceasing,’ and we see here that Paul practices what He preaches.

A- We should pray for other Christians when we hear of them, even if they aren’t part of our particular church we go to.

(10) Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

M- Paul has wanted to come to visit the Christians in Rome, but as He mentioned in the opening of the letter He is a bondservant of Jesus, and so his desires and plans are dictated by whether or not they match up with the will of God. But Paul asks God if there is any way He can go to them.

A- Even though the Christian is yielded to God’s will, we know He loves us and often blesses us with our desires as He accomplishes His will. It’s ok to ask for things but we need to leave it up to God’s wisdom.

(11-12) For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established –that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

M- The reason he wanted to visit is to enjoy the ‘mutual faith’ –the mutual trust in God they share. He knows if He gets to see them he may be able to give them some spiritual things that would help them. Spiritual gifts must be of much higher value than physical gifts. It’s an awesome thing to give another Christian something that will help them in their walk with God. He emphasizes that He doesn’t just see himself as the one with something to offer, but knows he will be encouraged with them as well.

A- The Christian naturally longs to be with other Christians. When we get together as believers it shouldn’t just be to do everything the world does, but to give each other spiritual things that help us grow strong. 

(13) Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now),

M -Paul wants the Christians at Rome to know that He has actually tried to plan to come to them. He hasn’t failed to come because He didn’t want to, but because He was hindered. We don’t know if it was good things or bad things that hindered Him, but we know God is sovereign and works the good and bad together to pure good for the believer. (Romans 8:28).

A –The circumstances God allows sometimes hinders our plans, but that’s ok. We can make plans but God controls the circumstances of our life that allows them to be completed or not. Proverbs 16:9. Sometimes we make plans and ask God for things and He might grant the request differently than we think. Paul would end up getting to Rome many years later, but as a prisoner at the end of His life.

(13) That I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

M- ‘Gentiles’ refers generally to the non-Jewish people groups. Paul has been bringing Gentile people to Christ and helping them grow in the faith. He considers this ‘fruit’…producing what God wants to see growing. Paul wants to produce for God among the Romans also.

A- Hearing the word ‘fruit’ reminds us of John 15 where Jesus gives the illustration that He is the vine, Christians are His branches, and God is the care-taker who prunes the branches to get them to bear fruit. We bear more fruit for God by staying attached to Jesus (the vine) and letting His life flow into us. This is what we should live for, to grow what God wants.

(14) I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

M –Paul seems to feel a debt to all of humanity to preach the good news of Jesus to them no matter who they are. To the Greeks, barbarians were anyone non-greek. It made no difference to Paul whether he was ministering to the wise or unwise or any people group, He wanted to bear fruit among them. This is incredible because Paul used to be a ‘super-Jew’ focused on the Jewish people, and now He feels a burden to minister to the whole world.

A –It should be our desire to bring all people closer to God regardless of who or what they are. We shouldn’t just minister to the people most like us and most comfortable to us.

(15) So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

M –Paul is all about the gospel and gives His all to get it out. He wants to preach it in Rome as well. (He will preach it in this letter as well.)

A –Getting the gospel out should be on the forefront of our minds and plans.