What does Romans chapter 15 mean?

Romans 15 continues Paul's thoughts about those who are strong and weak in faith. It ends with the first of what seem to be several conclusions to the letter.

Paul wraps up how those strong in their faith in Christ should live in relationship to those who are weaker. From Romans 14, we know that Paul equates strong faith with a sense of freedom to participate in things formerly forbidden by the law of Moses or Jewish tradition. Now, though, Paul insists that those strong in faith should trust God enough to please others above themselves. After all, our example is Christ, who did not come to earth to please Himself or to demand His rights. In fact, He did just the opposite. Instead of engaging in conflict over issues of practice, all Christians should make it our goal to live together in harmony and in unity, glorifying God with one voice. How has Christ welcomed us? We should do the same for each other (Romans 15:1–7).

Christ lived both as a servant to the Jews and the fulfillment of all of God's promises to them. Those promises and prophesies included God's plan to one day include the Gentiles in His family and to receive praise from the Gentile nations (Romans 15:8–12).

After praying a blessing for the Christians in Rome, Paul assures them that he is satisfied with their faith and practice. He has written boldly to them about a few things, but he knows they are full of goodness and knowledge and able to teach each other. Paul transitions into a discussion of his purpose in ministry. He has been commissioned by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish people, and to help their offering to God to be acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This is why he has been bold in instructing them in his letter (Romans 15:13–16).

Paul declares himself proud of the work he has done, but he immediately insists that Christ is the one who has accomplished it all. Christ did it through Paul using the power of miraculous signs and the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul knows that was not his own power at work. Still, Paul has obediently done what Christ sent him to do, taking the good news of salvation by faith in Christ alone to places where that message had never been heard before. That mission has taken him all over his part of the world, and he has now run out of nearby regions where Christ has not yet been preached by him or someone else (Romans 15:17–21).

Paul turns to his plans to visit Rome. He longs to come and visit the Christians there on his way to preach the gospel in Spain. He feels the time is right, now that every region nearer Jerusalem has been introduced to the gospel. He wants to come to Rome to enjoy their company and to receive their help with funding his work in Spain (Romans 15:22–29).

Before he can come, though, he must make a dangerous trip to deliver a gift of financial aid from Gentile Christians to the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. He asks his readers to pray urgently with him that he will be delivered from the unbelieving Jewish religious leaders who wish to kill him and that the Jewish Christians will receive the gift from their Gentile brothers in Christ. Finally, he asks them to pray that, once this is done, he will be able to come and be refreshed with them in Rome (Romans 15:30–33).