After fifteen chapters of theology and application, Paul does not address his readers as uninformed. Instead, he praises their goodness, knowledge, and ability to instruct one another. As we see, Paul does not expect us simply to hear the theology and its application. He expects us to grow in it.
Paul says that he has been very bold in some of his explanations, and indeed he has. But he does not use this boldness as a weapon to treat others as ignorant. Paul knows that the church at Rome has believers who understand the gospel. Paul sees himself as part of the body, entrusted with the responsibility to remind others to mature and not remain mere infants in the faith. We have heard about bearing with the weaker brother, but Paul does not expect us to remain weak forever.
The grace Paul speaks about is his ministry to the Gentiles. Paul is comfortable boasting in God’s work. This is an amazing example. Paul does not boast in his own abilities, but in the ministry entrusted to him and empowered by God.
He has been entrusted with bringing the Word of God to the Gentiles. He describes his ministry in priestly terms, presenting the Gentile believers as an offering made acceptable by the Holy Spirit. This beautiful picture of care and eagerness on Paul’s part shows us his heartfelt concern that the world would know Christ. He is dependent upon Christ, and that dependence gives him the ambition to proclaim the gospel by the power of the Spirit of God. His ambition was not to build upon another man’s foundation, but to bring the gospel to those who had never heard of Christ.
May we all aspire to have the humility Paul demonstrates, boasting in what God is accomplishing rather than in ourselves. May we depend fully upon His work in maturing us and carrying out His plan in our lives through the deeds He empowers us to accomplish for His glory.
-steve