“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Message: Paul's Ambition
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome
What the Lord is Saying: Paul has just mentioned that it is his desire or calling has been to the Gentiles, to speak to them, a people he formally did not even like, but now he is sharing with these Christians in Rome his zeal for the gospel. Throughout these 2 chapter (14 and 15) Paul is emphasizing his desire to preach the gospel and he is calling special attention to those that may be weak in their faith and the importance of not being a stumbling block or not saying something that will diminish that person's belief in God, but instead to deny ourselves, and not focus on the differences. We need to focus on our hearts and our desire for the truth.
What the Lord is Saying: Paul has just mentioned that it is his desire or calling has been to the Gentiles, to speak to them, a people he formally did not even like, but now he is sharing with these Christians in Rome his zeal for the gospel. Throughout these 2 chapter (14 and 15) Paul is emphasizing his desire to preach the gospel and he is calling special attention to those that may be weak in their faith and the importance of not being a stumbling block or not saying something that will diminish that person's belief in God, but instead to deny ourselves, and not focus on the differences. We need to focus on our hearts and our desire for the truth.
Preach the Gospel
Paul echoes words he has said elsewhere in this book, namely his desire to preach the gospel. In Romans 1:15 and 16 he said, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome for I (Paul) am not ashamed of the gospel. It is Paul's ambition to preach the gospel.
It is interesting those words of "My ambition." I wonder if preaching the gospel is really my ambition or if it is rather just one of the things that I do. For Paul, I am sure this meant that in his life, in his relationships, in his conversations, that the idea of the Gospel was always forefront in his mind. For me, this seems somewhat difficult or maybe, more of a challenge, because of the varying responsibilities that I have: Father, Son, Employee, Supervisor, and I'm sure others, there seems to be a jockeying for what is most important at all times. And yet, Lord, I want the Gospel to be most prominent.
New Ground
Now these are interesting words, "not where Christ has already been named." It is not Paul's ambition to simply preach a message to those ears that have already heard. I think on one hand this is a charge to not get comfortable simply staying around Christians, speaking to them all of the time, but it is a charge to go to ground where people have not named Christ. But, it also makes me think of whether I should be trying so hard with people that know a Jesus, but not necessarily the Jesus Christ. This is hard.
Someone else's foundation
The reason Paul does to go where Christ is already named is because he does not want to build on another person's foundation. Again, these are interesting words and, in some ways, hard to apply in this day and age where there are churches everywhere. Multiple churches aren't bad if they are all full. But Paul's desire is not to try and not override someone else. It is somewhat sad to see churches almost competing with one another for congregants. I think the key here is to not settle.
As it is written
And Paul puts a special emphasis on his words here: because God says so. He quotes now from the Septuagint and the words of the Old Testament to further emphasize this message. It should be a special point of emphasis when he goes to the Old Testament to emphasize his words. He is calling those words to special attention and showing that this is a message that is not unique to his own time.
Verse 21 says, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
It is interesting those words of "My ambition." I wonder if preaching the gospel is really my ambition or if it is rather just one of the things that I do. For Paul, I am sure this meant that in his life, in his relationships, in his conversations, that the idea of the Gospel was always forefront in his mind. For me, this seems somewhat difficult or maybe, more of a challenge, because of the varying responsibilities that I have: Father, Son, Employee, Supervisor, and I'm sure others, there seems to be a jockeying for what is most important at all times. And yet, Lord, I want the Gospel to be most prominent.
New Ground
Now these are interesting words, "not where Christ has already been named." It is not Paul's ambition to simply preach a message to those ears that have already heard. I think on one hand this is a charge to not get comfortable simply staying around Christians, speaking to them all of the time, but it is a charge to go to ground where people have not named Christ. But, it also makes me think of whether I should be trying so hard with people that know a Jesus, but not necessarily the Jesus Christ. This is hard.
Someone else's foundation
The reason Paul does to go where Christ is already named is because he does not want to build on another person's foundation. Again, these are interesting words and, in some ways, hard to apply in this day and age where there are churches everywhere. Multiple churches aren't bad if they are all full. But Paul's desire is not to try and not override someone else. It is somewhat sad to see churches almost competing with one another for congregants. I think the key here is to not settle.
As it is written
And Paul puts a special emphasis on his words here: because God says so. He quotes now from the Septuagint and the words of the Old Testament to further emphasize this message. It should be a special point of emphasis when he goes to the Old Testament to emphasize his words. He is calling those words to special attention and showing that this is a message that is not unique to his own time.
Verse 21 says, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
- Isaiah 52:15 - Thus shall many nations wonder at him; and kings shall keep their mouths shut: for they to whom no report was brought concerning him, shall see; and they who have not heard, shall consider.
- Isaiah 65:1 - I became manifest to them that asked not for me; I was found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold, I am here, to a nation, who called not on my name.
From TableTalk (November 13, 2014) - Isaiah foresaw a day in which foreigners to God's covenant with Israel would hear of the Servant of the Lord--the Messiah--and be struck with awe. Under the ministry of Paul in particular, and the rest of the Apostles generally, this took place as the gospel went forth into pagan lands and the Gentiles came to faith in the one true God for the first time. Today, Isaiah's prophecy continues to be fulfilled as unreached people groups the world over hear the gospel and churches are planted among them. Moreover, this fulfillment will continue until every tribe and tongue is represented in the great company of believers.
Promise: My ambition is to preach the Gospel. Do this and everything else will be taken care of with success.
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