Grace, Unity, and the Power of a Gospel-Shaped Community
- Be God's Glory
- Nov 21
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 324 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These final chapters of Paul’s letter emphasize unity in the body of Christ, the responsibility of believers to build one another up, and the beauty of gospel partnership. Chapter 14 teaches the church to avoid judging one another regarding disputable matters, encouraging believers to walk in love and not cause others to stumble. Chapter 15 highlights Christ’s example of selfless service, Paul’s mission to reach the Gentiles, and the call for believers to live in harmony as they glorify God together. Chapter 16 closes the letter with personal greetings to many faithful laborers in the gospel, warnings against divisive people, and a final doxology praising God for His revealed mystery in Christ. Together, these chapters call the church to maturity, unity, humility, and active ministry rooted in love.
Romans 14
In this chapter, Paul addresses conflicts in the church over disputable matters such as food, holy days, and personal convictions. He teaches that believers must not judge one another on issues where Scripture grants freedom, because each person ultimately stands before the Lord as their judge. Paul emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not about external practices but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. He warns stronger believers not to use their freedom in a way that causes weaker believers to stumble or violate their conscience. Ultimately, Paul calls the church to walk in love, pursue peace, and build one another up rather than tear each other down with opinions or arguments.
Romans 15
Romans 15 continues Paul’s plea for unity by urging believers to imitate Christ, who did not please Himself but bore the weaknesses of others. Paul explains that Scripture was written to give believers endurance, encouragement, and hope, pointing all of them toward a unified worship of God. He highlights God’s plan to include the Gentiles in His mercy, quoting Old Testament passages to show that Gentile salvation fulfills prophecy. Paul then describes his ministry to the Gentiles and his desire to visit the believers in Rome after completing his work in Jerusalem. The chapter ends with a request for prayer, as Paul seeks protection and God’s will in carrying out the mission entrusted to him.
Romans 16
Paul opens this chapter by commending Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, encouraging the believers to receive her with honor and help her in her ministry. He sends personal greetings to a long list of faithful co-laborers—men and women who risked their lives, served sacrificially, hosted churches, and strengthened the body of Christ. Paul then warns the church to watch out for divisive individuals who create obstacles contrary to sound teaching, urging them to remain wise about good and innocent regarding evil. He assures them that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet, reminding them of God’s ultimate victory. The letter concludes with a doxology celebrating the revelation of God’s long-hidden mystery now made known to all nations through the gospel.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The title “Romans” comes from its intended audience—the believers in the city of Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. The Greek title, Pros Rōmaious (Πρὸς Ῥωμαίους), translates to “To the Romans.” These were primarily Gentile Christians, though the congregation also included Jewish believers who had returned to Rome after being expelled by Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2). The book’s name reflects the early church’s expansion beyond Jerusalem and Judea into the very heart of the Gentile world—Rome, the center of global influence and power at the time.
Purpose of the Book:
Paul’s purpose in writing Romans was to present a comprehensive explanation of the gospel—God’s plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. It serves as a doctrinal cornerstone for Christian theology, explaining concepts such as justification by faith, sanctification, righteousness, grace, and God’s sovereignty.
Paul wrote this letter to:
Strengthen the Roman believers in their faith and unity (Romans 1:11–12).
Clarify the gospel message, emphasizing that salvation is through faith, not works of the law (Romans 3:28).
Prepare the way for his future visit to Rome and his missionary journey to Spain (Romans 1:10–13; 15:23–24).
Address tension between Jewish and Gentile believers regarding the role of the Law and grace (Romans 2–4, 9–11).
Essentially, Romans is Paul’s systematic presentation of the gospel, showing how God justifies the sinner and transforms lives through faith in Christ alone.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 57, likely from Corinth during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2–3). Paul dictated the letter to a scribe named Tertius, who mentions himself in Romans 16:22:
“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”
Internal Biblical Evidence:
Romans 1:1 – Paul identifies himself as “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
Romans 15:15–16 – Paul refers to his ministry to the Gentiles, consistent with his calling described in Acts 9:15.
2 Peter 3:15–16 – Peter refers to Paul’s letters as authoritative Scripture, further validating Paul’s authorship.
Acts 20:2–3 – Correlates with the timeframe when Paul was in Greece, writing to the Roman church.
External Historical Evidence:
Early Christian writers confirm Paul as the author:
Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 96) refers to Paul’s writings to the Romans in his letter to the Corinthians.
Irenaeus (c. A.D. 180) quotes Romans extensively in Against Heresies, attributing it to Paul.
Tertullian (c. A.D. 200) and Origen (c. A.D. 250) both affirm Pauline authorship in their theological works.These early sources align with church tradition, which has consistently recognized Paul as the undisputed author.
Key People:
Paul – The author and apostle to the Gentiles who wrote the letter.
Phoebe – The servant (deaconess) of the church in Cenchreae who delivered the letter to Rome (Romans 16:1–2).
Priscilla and Aquila – Ministry partners of Paul, known for their faith and service (Romans 16:3–5; Acts 18:2).
Abraham – Central Old Testament figure used as an example of justification by faith (Romans 4).
Adam – Represented humanity’s fall into sin (Romans 5:12–19).
Moses – Symbol of the Law and its purpose in revealing sin (Romans 5:13–14; 7:7).
David – Quoted as an example of God’s forgiveness (Romans 4:6–8).
Tertius – Paul’s scribe who wrote down the letter (Romans 16:22).
Various Roman believers – including names like Andronicus, Junia, Rufus, and others in Romans 16, showing Paul’s deep personal connections in the Roman church.
Conclusion
The Book of Romans stands as one of the most profound and systematic explanations of the Christian faith ever written. Paul skillfully reveals humanity’s universal sinfulness, God’s perfect righteousness, and His redemptive plan through faith in Christ alone. It bridges the Old and New Covenants, showing how God’s promises to Israel extend to all nations through the gospel.
Romans teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, and that believers are transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). Its theological depth has shaped Christian doctrine for centuries, inspiring reformers like Martin Luther and John Wesley, who both credited Romans with igniting their understanding of true faith and grace.
In essence, Romans is the gospel explained, faith clarified, and righteousness revealed—a divine letter to the world proclaiming that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Romans 14
In Romans 14, God reveals Himself as patient, understanding, and compassionate toward believers who differ in convictions. He cares about the heart more than outward practices and calls His people to honor Him in whatever they do. God shows that He is the ultimate Judge, reminding believers that every person will stand before Him and give an account. His character promotes peace, unity, and love within the church rather than division over minor issues.
There are no Hebrew names of God mentioned directly in this chapter, but God’s actions reflect Him as the righteous Judge who sees the heart. The lesson God teaches is that believers are responsible for building each other up, not tearing one another down over disputable matters. He calls the church to walk in love and avoid causing others to stumble, valuing unity over personal freedoms. God invites His people to pursue peace and righteousness so the body of Christ can flourish in harmony.
Romans 15
In Romans 15, God reveals Himself as the God of endurance, encouragement, and hope. He is a unifying God who desires His people to glorify Him with one voice and one heart. God also displays His global compassion by showing mercy to the Gentiles and fulfilling promises to Israel. His character is selfless and sacrificial, shown through Christ who bore the burdens of others.
No Hebrew names are explicitly mentioned here, but Paul’s description aligns with El HaTikvah (God of Hope) and YHWH Shalom (The Lord of Peace) as God fills believers with joy, peace, and hope through the Holy Spirit. The lesson God teaches is that spiritual maturity means serving others rather than pleasing ourselves. God calls believers to imitate Christ by bearing the weaknesses of others and seeking unity instead of division. He also reminds the church that the gospel is for all nations and that His mission is bigger than any one group.
Romans 16
In Romans 16, God reveals Himself as relational, attentive, and deeply involved in the lives of His people. He values partnership, faithfulness, and sacrificial service, as reflected in the many individuals Paul commends. God also shows Himself as protective, warning the church to guard against divisive people who distort the truth. His character is victorious, promising that the God of peace will crush Satan under the feet of believers.
This chapter does not mention any Hebrew names, but God’s nature reflects YHWH Tsevaot (Lord of Hosts) and YHWH Shalom (Lord of Peace)—the God who fights for His people and brings them peace. The lesson God teaches is the importance of honoring one another, valuing teamwork, and protecting the unity of the church. He calls believers to be discerning, wise about what is good, and innocent concerning evil. God reminds His people that victory ultimately belongs to Him and that the gospel unites all nations under His revealed plan.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does God’s patient and merciful character shine through in His call for believers not to judge one another in disputable matters (Romans 14)?
What does God’s role as the ultimate Judge reveal about His righteousness and fairness (Romans 14:10–12)?
How do God’s qualities of peace and encouragement help shape the unity Paul urges believers to pursue (Romans 15:5–6)?
In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness through fulfilling His promises to Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 15:8–12)?
How does Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:13 highlight God as the God of hope and the source of overflowing joy and peace?
What does the long list of personal greetings in Romans 16 reveal about God’s relational nature and His intimate involvement in His people’s lives?
How does God’s attribute as the One who strengthens believers (Romans 16:25) encourage your understanding of His sustaining power?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of Christian liberty shape Paul’s teaching on how believers should behave toward those with different convictions (Romans 14)?
What does Romans 14 teach about the difference between personal conviction and causing another believer to stumble?
How does unity within the body of Christ emerge as a major theme in Romans 15?
Why is the theme of mission and ministry partnership important in Romans 15, especially in Paul’s desire to reach unreached regions?
How does the extensive list of co-laborers in Romans 16 reinforce the theme of shared ministry in the early church?
In what ways do Romans 14–16 emphasize that the gospel unites Jews and Gentiles into one family with equal standing?
How does the closing doxology in Romans 16:25–27 summarize the theme of God's eternal plan being revealed through the gospel?
Reflective Application Questions:
Where might you be prone to judge others in matters of personal conviction, and how can you honor God by choosing grace instead?
What habits can you adopt to make sure your freedom in Christ never becomes a stumbling block to someone weaker in the faith (Romans 14)?
How can you pursue peace and mutual edification within your relationships and church community (Romans 14:19)?
In what areas do you need God to fill you with “all joy and peace in believing” so you may overflow with hope (Romans 15:13)?
How can Paul’s example of service and ministry inspire you to step deeper into your own calling and mission for God’s kingdom (Romans 15)?
Looking at the unity and diversity of people named in Romans 16, how can you become more intentional about building genuine kingdom relationships?
What would it look like for you to live with greater awareness that God is the One strengthening and establishing you daily (Romans 16:25)?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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