Paul’s Remarkable Helpers
In Romans 16, Paul reveals his deep affection for those whom he had served, for those who had served him, and for those who served with him.
Outline
Introduction — New Testament Greetings
I. Paul the Man
A. Background (Acts 21:39; 22:3; 23:6)
B. Conversion (Acts 9, 22, 26)
C. Spiritual Condition (1 Cor 14:18; 2 Cor 11:22-12:4; Phil 3:4-14)
II. Paul the Bond-Slave (Romans 1:1)
Paul’s description of himself as Christ’s servant accomplishes several things:
1. Puts him in the same category as those to whom he is writing
2. Emphasizes that his chief function as a disciple of Christ is service
3. Reminds his readers that he is a servant of Christ first and a servant of man second—and that he is writing to them in this capacity
Conclusion — When Jesus Is Magnified
Isaiah 6; Phil 1:20; John 3:30
Bible Text
Romans 1:1 (NKJV)
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
In Romans 16, Paul reveals his deep affection for those whom he had served, for those who had served him, and for those who served with him.
In Romans 15:22–32, Paul demonstrates six characteristics of his own ministry that should be evidenced in the life and ministry of every believer who is committed to doing God’s will.
In Romans 15:14-21 Paul gives a defense of his ministry, especially of his boldness in writing this letter to a church he did not found and had never visited. Except for a few individuals he had met elsewhere, he did not know the Christians in Rome. Yet he addresses them both warmly and forthrightly, as if they were close friends.