Bible Study Romans Part 23-Fellowship

“Some spiritual gift” can sound mysterious, even dramatic, and people love to fill the gap with speculation. We take the opposite approach and let Romans 1:8–13 interpret itself. Walking slowly through Paul’s opening lines, we trace his gratitude, his constant prayers through Jesus Christ, and his intense desire to visit the believers in Rome. Then we tackle the big question head-on: what does Paul mean by a “spiritual gift,” and why does he connect it to the church being established or strengthened?

We talk about the early church context where signs and wonders were real, while also showing why the immediate context points to something steadier and more enduring: the gift of Gospel teaching that builds durable faith. If you’ve ever felt like your faith is strong in the moment but fragile under pressure, we explain why sparse knowledge of Scripture leaves Christians vulnerable, and why clear Bible teaching is not optional for spiritual growth, Christian discipleship, or church health.

We also lean into Paul’s humility and realism. He wants to strengthen the Romans, but he also expects to be encouraged by them through mutual faith. That opens up a practical conversation about fellowship, spiritual encouragement, and why believers should “feed off” one another in the best sense. Finally, we look at Paul’s hindered travel plans, how roadblocks can reflect hardship, competing obligations, or God’s timing, and why Paul’s persistence makes him a lasting model of consecrated Christian service.

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Transcript

Why Scripture Matters Most

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Welcome to the program Study in the Chapel. God's Word is supreme at Chapel Ministries. We consider it absolutely essential to a proper relationship with God. We study it, we love it, we rely on it every minute of every day. The following program is an edited recording of the regular Bible studies we hold, and we decided to share these with you in the hope that you too will be able to find inspiration, encouragement, and ultimately salvation through discovering Christ in Scripture. Our intention is to travel all the way through the Bible. It will be a challenging journey, but one that will undoubtedly bring you to a decision. Through this study, you will be faced with either believing or rejecting what God has said to us. It is our intention to provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision about God and his word. We strongly encourage you to listen intently and diligently, because though at the moment you may not realize it, these things are truly a matter of life and death. In fact, these are matters of eternal life and eternal death. Never treat what God has said lightly. There's truly nothing more important to you. Now join us as we seek God's will through his inspired word.

Why Romans Deserves Slow Reading

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The letter to the Romans, Paul's letter to the Romans has so much to teach us. And you know what? I address this a little bit later on in the lesson. It's not just what God, what Paul is saying about God, but what Paul is saying about himself that really has the ability to have so much impact on us. I I am really hoping that all of you feel the way that I do, in that there's just we I want so badly to figure out a way to serve God in the way that he needs me or wants me to. And having these examples, of course, we don't worship and praise these people, but having the example of the great saints of the church helps us to sort of gauge our own response to what we hear from God's word and what we hear from his promptings to service. So that's why we spend so much time here in Paul's writings, because that has so much for us to use in our efforts in the Christian life. It's very, very valuable. As I said, we are in the letter to the Romans. We are still in the first chapter, we are still in the first few verses of that first chapter. There's so much that we have to learn here. That's why we are slowly taking our time. Maybe the pace picks up later on, probably not, because there's so much doctrine here. There's so much we have to learn here. This is really the foundation of the Christian church. So we're going to take our time.

Paul’s Gratitude And Constant Prayer

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We're going to start on verse eight tonight. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is always our mediator through him, or by him our prayers are channeled. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ, by Jesus Christ, for you all that your faith is spoken of throughout the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. Verse 10 making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you, a prosperous road, an open road, a way to get to you. That's what Paul wants. That's what Paul is praying for. For I long to see you. I have an intense desire to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established. This verse, verse 11, has had lots of people speculating in all sorts of directions. Listen, my friends, the world seems never to be satisfied with just the Bible. I'm convinced they'd pay more attention to it if there were more juicy tidbits to consider. The world wants salacious, the world wants confrontational, it wants mysterious. If the Bible were more provocative, there'd be a whole lot more people quoting it. But alas, it's just God's word. That's fine with me. But that doesn't stop the speculators. They will take a verse like

Spiritual Gift Myths Versus Context

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this one and inject into it something mystical and magical just to make it seem more interesting. Lots of people stop right here and let their imagination run wild. They imagine that Paul is saying that he's going to bestow on those Romans the power to work miracles or to interpret tongues or maybe levitate and spin around. I don't know. Listen, the minute some people read the word spirit in the New Testament, they get all spooky. They swoon, they sway, their eyes roll back in their head, their arms seem automatically to raise to heaven, their fingers all spread out. It's really quite a spectacle if you've never seen it. But there's no need to do any of that here. It's clear that Paul isn't talking about bringing some superpower tool belt with him. Now, granted, many of the churches founded by apostles were endowed with exceptional abilities by the laying on of hands from those disciples, the original disciples, the original apostles of Christ. I don't want to give you the idea that miracles weren't an important resource in those days. Of course they were. Though not many would agree with me, I think that while the world waited for scripture to be fully developed, the New Testament I'm talking about, until that time came, I believe God's plan was to win converts through the exhibition of his power as demonstrated through people. The working of signs and wonders was a part of the earliest efforts to evangelize the world. The Bible tells us that the apostles somehow were given the gift of granting such powers through, as I said, mostly the laying on of hands. So those that assume this is what Paul is talking about here in verse 11 aren't really that far off. Remember, this was a church most likely not founded by an apostle. In fact, we have no indication whatsoever that any apostle had ever visited them before they received this letter. And yes, not even Peter. In fact, let me just say there is no scriptural evidence that Peter ever visited Rome, nor is there any secular evidence to back up the claim. That's all I'm gonna say. So since some of the apostles were involved, since none of the apostles were involved in the founding of the first century church at Rome, as far as we can tell, no apostle was involved in its operations. And because of that, some interpret Paul's statement here in verse 11, the part regarding a spiritual gift, as an indication that upon his arrival there, he was going to lay hands on their leadership with the intention of giving them the miraculous ability to channel God's power for the purpose of spreading the gospel and glorifying the Savior as apostles had done elsewhere, just not in Rome as yet, again, that we know of. However, the context of this section makes it much more likely that Paul meant something less otherworldly. And actually, the next verse clears this up for us quite nicely. Verse 11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established. Here's the part that clears this up for us that I may be comforted, that I may be. He's talking about the spiritual gift, imparting the spiritual gift. Why are you doing that, Paul? That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith, both of you and me. Now we're going to cover that verse more completely later. I'm just bringing it up now to make my point regarding the spiritual gift. We can gather from what Paul is saying overall in this section that he isn't talking about some spiritual gift that's meant to dazzle and sparkle. As you and I both know, God's word itself is quite the spiritual gift. Anything that increases our true knowledge of the Father is a treasure whose value cannot be overestimated. Listen, yes, Paul has the power to impart the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. He's done it before. It was a necessary part of the efforts of the early church. They needed that method of impartation to get through those early decades. But first and foremost, Paul was a teacher and he knew that the knowledge of Christ itself could do wonders, maybe perhaps more wonders than just the laying on of hands. In these two verses, he said that this spiritual gift, the one he was going to impart, had the purpose of, well, the King

Strength Comes From Gospel Teaching

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James says, establish them, but the word is strengthened. The word extrengthen is better, at least to our modern ears, for I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be strengthened. What Paul really wanted to do was to come to Rome to teach them the gospel. So far, he's talked about the gospel a lot. So we have to use the context of these verses and the verses that follow to decide what it is Paul's talking about. He's talking about the gospel. He wants to impart that spiritual gift on them so that he can be strengthened, so they can be strengthened. And that teaching was going to strengthen them. He knew that. Now let me tell you something. The last thing when I was young that I thought would strengthen me in the church of my youth was the teaching of the scripture. That was the last thing I thought would strengthen me. The music strengthened me, or so it seemed. The taking of communion strengthened me, or so it seemed. Shaking the priest's hands on the way out strengthened me, or so it seemed. But the impartation of scripture was as bland and uninteresting and inapplicable as anything could be. Of course, it wasn't the fault of the content. The blame was 100% on the content provider. Listen, the church of my youth didn't think the word was all that special. Oh, they'll tell you how much they loved the scripture, but they never showed it. I mean, after all, time and again, they were quick to change what the scripture said if it didn't align with the traditions. Now, I'm not going to go into any specifics, of course, mainly because you've heard these rants from me before. And besides, I have another point to make. Then get on with it. Nothing keeps your faith weak. Listen to me, like not knowing much about what your faith rests in. I can't just tell you to have faith and not tell you what to have faith in. Paul is coming to strengthen their faith by telling them, instructing them on the gospel. He wants their faith strengthened. And the way he's going to do that is teach them the gospel. When your knowledge of God's word is sparse, you are vulnerable to vacillating, spongy, unimpressive faith. It's just a logical conclusion to come to. And I suspect there was a serious lack of sound scriptural teaching going on in that church. They desperately needed this guy. And you know, Paul must have felt it. Those Romans must have been as intensely desirous of him to come to them as he was. They had been around a long time, but they were going nowhere because they weren't well taught. They were not bearing enough fruit for the kingdom, at least enough for Paul, because they were ignorant of the word. And Paul wanted to change all that. He hadn't been able to make it to them yet. No doubt there were hindrances to that end. Now I gathered that from Paul's prayer for a prospered, provided-for journey to them. It would seem there were roadblocks, and it was making his intense desire even more intense. And you know, Paul, Paul didn't doesn't strike me as a guy who tolerates waiting around. And I agree with Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, who feels this letter is Paul's attempt to do by correspondence what he couldn't do yet in person. Listen, you don't know it yet, but this is one heck of a teaching-filled letter. I think it was the written form of that spiritual gift he was longing to impart on them. He couldn't wait. He prayed for God's will, of course, but while he waited for God's will to reach him, he wrote this gem. Yes, he was aware that this alone wouldn't do a complete job of establishing them, of strengthening them, but it's better than waiting around. The congregation needed strengthening. We're going to find out more about this as we go through it, but there were more than a few misunderstandings regarding the living of the Christian life. No doubt these Romans were hearing various, sometimes conflicting bits of doctrine that required some apostolic corrections. Again, don't forget, these Roman Christians didn't have what we today call the New Testament. I'm fairly certain they didn't have any of the evangelical gospels in written form yet. Those poor lovers of Christ had very little to go on. They had almost nothing to cross-reference the nonsense the heretics were spouting, and we can make a reasonable guess and say that all the confusion was taking a toll on them. Now, is any of this substantiated in scripture? Not really. But what else could have gotten those poor Christians to a point that a good dose of gospel teaching from Paul would strengthen them? For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith,

Mutual Faith And True Fellowship

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both of you and me. Here is yet another sign that Paul is not talking about anything supernatural and a clear sign of what kind of guy he was. Not only does he want to come and preach to them so that they may be strengthened, but he also wants to comfort and be comforted by them. Now, Dr. Mark Martin Lloyd Jones insists that this word comforted does a poor job of communicating the spirit of Paul's statement and frame of mind. He says encouraged is a better choice. Maybe again, strengthened. Now, I wouldn't argue with those two other words, but I do think comforted isn't all that bad either. Listen, we Christians feed off of each other. At least we should. I know there are plenty of places where Christians feed on each other, but let's not be negative. Paul wants to visit those Romans to combine their faith with his own toward the end of encouraging one another, strengthening one another, and yes, I believe comforting one another. You know, one of the most wonderful yet unexpected blessings coming out of the decision we made a few years ago to start holding Bible study is the bond that's resulted between myself and those that listen live with us week after week. This is what churchy people call fellowship. I love the fellowship we share together. It is a vital element in my Christian life. And you know, I never thought I'd be that kind of guy, but I absolutely love being around other Christians. I prefer it. And by the way, that doesn't apply to people who just say they're a Christian, but don't really live like one. Saying it and being it are two different things. And the closer I get to God, the more I believe that. Those that have a true heart for God and his son and his word are a joy for me to be around. Something happens to my faith when I'm in the presence of others who share my devotion to the Father's kingdom. Freddie Cordozo, who has a way too long title at Grace Theological Seminary, says good fellowship is, quote, mutual cooperation in God's worship, God's work, and God's will being done in our midst. That's a perfect definition. Listen, these are eternal things. These are things that we're going to be able to fellowship over together forever. And it will never grow old and we'll never stop being excited about them. And if you feel the same way, then I want a fellowship with you too. So I get it when Paul said, For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established, that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith, both of you and me. You know, some cynical critic may see a contradiction in these two verses. Another cynical critic might see maybe a taste of disingenuousness in this statement, a bit of insincerity, that he's being a bit patronizing. On the one hand, he's Mr. Big Shot ready to impart some valuable spiritual gem, but then on the other, it's just he's just one of them, a regular Joe who needs some encouragement from the little people. I see none of that here. In fact, I don't think that sort of thing is even in his DNA. It's not the kind of guy he is. In all of Paul's letters, he talks about those that are with him. He talks about them. He brings up his fellow workers all the time. There are names in these letters that have been immortalized because of their coworker Paul's love for the toil they've shared. And it's not because all of that makes him feel good or feel powerful or even accomplished. He loves the fellowship he has with others because of what they've been able to. Accomplish together. There is nothing Paul loves more than spreading the gospel. And he no doubt finds great joy when he's able to yoke himself to use a biblical term, when he's able to yoke himself with people of like-mindedness and like passions. And I get it. We already know, and he's going to keep reminding us here in a second, that he's not been able to get there, but their reputation is so well known and so well respected despite the obstacles, despite the lack of knowledge. He's so impressed that he wants in. He wants to be on team Rome because he knows that they can do a lot of

Hindered Plans And God’s Roadblocks

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good things together. Let's read it, verse 13. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purpose to come unto you, but was let hitherto that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. He wants to get some work done with these folks. But thus far he's been let, it says in the King James, which is just an old English word for ironically opposed or prevented. Now it's ironic because we use that word let in the exact opposite way now. To let someone do something used to mean to stop them from doing so. Now to let someone do something means they're allowed to, which is just weird. Anyhow, Paul has been making plans to visit Rome, and for some reason, thus far, he's been hindered. Does that sound familiar to anyone here? You want to set out on some mission for God? And it and listen, if you're not purposed to set out on some mission from God, you need to get into some prayer. You need to get into some personal devotion because that's what God is calling you to do. I'm not telling you you have to come up in the pulpit, but I am telling you you have to look for what God is asking you to do. And if you've discovered that or you're just trying to discover that, and it feels like somehow there's something standing in your way, and you seem like you're meeting nothing but obstacles. I know how this feels, but not the extent that Paul's of Paul's experience, of course. Now, Paul isn't specific as to what hindered him, but just knowing what we do of his life, these these must have been mighty obstacles, either prison or running for his life or downright poverty due to his itinerant preacher's status. Listen, it's not easy being Paul, but you don't see him complaining. He's just moving ahead no matter what the circumstances, taking it all to God. Elsewhere, he expressed it this way: the obstacles or the things that he's been through. This is how he described it over in Philippians. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. But not only these negative things, but probably other pressing gospel-related business needed to be attended to before he could make that long journey to the heart of the empire. In fact, some interpret this word let to mean it was God himself that was thwarting those early attempts to reach Rome. And that's possible too. In the book of Acts, Paul describes a time when something similar actually did happen. Let me quickly read from the New King James on this version of the incident. The New King James is a little clearer. Acts 16, 6. Now, when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Now you may be thinking, why would God ever stop someone from preaching the gospel? Well, with God, timing is everything. If the environment is not ready for the gospel, there's no need to waste your time. In our Lord's parable of the sower, three out of four times the seed was sown, it fell on unproductive ground. God never asks us to expend effort needlessly. Not only that, but being a preacher of the gospel in those days was a very risky enterprise. And God could not afford to lose precious resources to the forces of Satan. So if preaching was going to cause a problem for the preachers, God said no. Sometimes God, sometimes when God puts up a roadblock is to prevent us from plunging to our destruction when the bridge to our destination is out. Clearly, Paul took all of this frustration in stride while at the same time praying and hoping and keeping his head up. What's your point? Paul never quits. This is too important. He relies on the strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enable him to endure and to put him

Paul’s Character And Consecrated Life

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where the Father's will needs him. But there's also his faith and internal fortitude. God picked the right man. God put him throughout his life through situations that would create the Paul of Tarsus that we know. Why do we spend so much time on this stuff, John? Because we have a lot to learn from Paul. And not just what he wrote, which is wonderful, but also his personal character. The British evangelist of the late 19th century, Henry Varley, is reported to have once said, quote, the world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is holy and fully consecrated to him. To many of you, that may sound familiar because it's the statement that the world famous preacher D.L. Moody often quoted, and which he credits as inspiring him to concentrate his efforts on evangelism. Interestingly, Varley told Moody he didn't recall saying it when Moody brought it up to him only about a year later. Well, whether Varley said it or not, I disagree with it. You can almost hear the gasps among the evangelical churches of the world. And I'll say something else. I'd be surprised if he did say it, because I'm sure Varley knew that the world has seen what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to him and his name. That fully consecrated man's name is Paul of Tarsus. We study more than just his letters. We study the man who wrote these letters because through his example we can learn how to become more productive Christians. And that's what we should be striving for. We should be striving for the production of the fruit for the kingdom.

Closing And Ministry Resources

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Well, that's probably a good place to stop for now. We'll pick it up right there next time. See you then.

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