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Romans 15:14-21 Exploring GNT


Paul's Reason for Writing So Boldly

Romans 15:14-21 My friends: I myself feel sure that you are full of goodness, that you have all knowledge, and that you are able to teach one another. 

But in this letter I have been quite bold about certain subjects of which I have reminded you. I have been bold because of the privilege God has given me 

of being a servant of Christ Jesus to work for the Gentiles. I serve like a priest in preaching the Good News from God, in order that the Gentiles may be an offering acceptable to God, dedicated to him by the Holy Spirit. 

In union with Christ Jesus, then, I can be proud of my service for God. 

I will be bold and speak only about what Christ has done through me to lead the Gentiles to obey God. He has done this by means of words and deeds, 

by the power of miracles and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. And so, in traveling all the way from Jerusalem to Illyricum, I have proclaimed fully the Good News about Christ. 

My ambition has always been to proclaim the Good News in places where Christ has not been heard of, so as not to build on a foundation laid by someone else. 

As the scripture says, “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

Paul's Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-19 For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people, 

I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers 

and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him. 

I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, 

and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength 

The Salvation of the Gentiles

Romans 11:13-14 I am speaking now to you Gentiles: As long as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I will take pride in my work. 

Perhaps I can make the people of my own race jealous, and so be able to save some of them. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. 

God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. 

He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. 

This means that no one can boast in God's presence. 

But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free. 

So then, as the scripture says, “Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done.”

Acts 15:12 The whole group was silent as they heard Barnabas and Paul report all the miracles and wonders that God had performed through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 21:18-21 The next day Paul went with us to see James; and all the church elders were present. 

Paul greeted them and gave a complete report of everything that God had done among the Gentiles through his work. 

After hearing him, they all praised God. Then they said, “Brother Paul, you can see how many thousands of Jews have become believers, and how devoted they all are to the Law. 

They have been told that you have been teaching all the Jews who live in Gentile countries to abandon the Law of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or follow the Jewish customs.

Acts 2:18-21 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message.

I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;


the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes.
And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’


The Suffering Servant

Isaiah 52:13-15 The Lord says, “My servant will succeed in his task; he will be highly honored.

Many people were shocked when they saw him; he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human.


But now many nations will marvel at him, and kings will be speechless with amazement. They will see and understand something they had never known.”