One Body In Christ
Lesson 10: St. Paul’s Summary
Reading
Romans 15-16
St. Paul concluded his letter to the Romans with a call to please our neighbor and build each other up in Christ. He said that even Christ did not please Himself, but took the reproach meant for us. Our consideration should not be for ourselves, but for our neighbor (everyone we come in contact with.) He asked the Roman Church community to be of one mind and voice in glorifying God. (Romans 15:1-6)
St. Paul cited the prophecies of the Old Testament to justify Christ’s receiving the Gentiles into the Christian faith. He used the same prophecies to explain why he, a Jew, also ministered to the Gentiles. He asked his fellow Jewish Christians to do the same. (Romans 15:7-21)
St. Paul then spoke of his future missionary plans. He had planned to visit Rome for many years. He said that he would stop in Rome on his way to visit Spain, but first he had to go to Jerusalem to provide relief for the poor members of the church there with the money he had raised in Macedonia and Achaia. These were Gentile Christians offering money to the Jewish Christians in Judea. He recognized that he would face great danger in Jerusalem by the hand of non-believing Jews. It should be noted that Jewish Christians in Jerusalem suffered greatly for their faith in Christ. They were in physical danger, they lost their jobs and families, and their businesses were boycotted. St. Paul asked for the Roman Christians’ prayers in carrying out this mission, so that he could then visit them afterwards. (Romans 15:22-33)
St. Paul ends the Letter to the Romans with a note of introduction to a number of people. One of these was Phoebe, a woman and deaconess from Cenchrea near Corinth. He asked the church to help her in any way. (Romans 16:1-2)
St. Paul asked that his greetings be given to his friends and fellow workers in Christ, Priscilla and Aquila. (Romans 16:3-5a) Priscilla and Aquila were among the Jews who were banished by Claudius from Rome and had subsequently moved to Corinth. They were tent makers, like St. Paul. When Paul left Corinth and went to Ephesus, they accompanied him. There they established a church in their house. Finally, they moved back to Rome after the death of Claudius.
St. Paul completes his letter by sending over 25 greetings; many of those greeted were women. Some of these may have served in the emperor’s palace as slaves. (Romans 16:5b-16)
Lastly, St. Paul warns against false teachers. These teachers sow division and false doctrines. He described these teachers as self-serving not Christ serving. He asked members of the church to beware of seductive deceivers. (Romans 16:17-20) St. Paul concluded the letter to the Romans with a note that the Gospel to the Gentiles was revealed in prophetic scriptures long ago. St. Paul preached the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to them as promised, in hope that their submission would be born of faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 16:25-27)
Discussion & Reflection
Q1: St. Paul opened Chapter 15 with a plea of unity and service to one another, saying even Christ did not please himself but took our reproach. Our church communities are often divided on multiple lines. How does Paul say our conduct toward one another should be?
A1: St. Paul said we should bear one another up. We should build up the faith of our brothers and sisters.He asked that the Christian community speak with one voice and be united.
Q2: St. Paul quoted scripture to justify to Jewish Christians his ministry to the Gentiles. Do you think he was effective in his ministry?
A2: St. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Using scripture, he demonstrated a strong justification for adding the Gentiles to the Church. For this he is credited above others for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.
Q3: St. Paul spoke of his future missionary plans. He planned in the future to visit Spain, stopping in Rome on the way. But first, he planned to visit Jerusalem to take aid to the suffering Christians there. What did St. Paul’s charitable mission demonstrate to us?
A3: We should be mindful of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ no matter where they are. We should contribute to missions and churches in need in disaster areas. Our vision should be global not just parochial.
Q4: St. Paul kept in contact with friends throughout the world through his letters. How important is it to maintain our Christian friendships and relationships?
A4: St. Paul grew the Church with epistles (letters to churches and his friends, and supporters). It is much easier today to communicate with one another. It is important that we keep the lines of communication open to build up one another’s faith and the Church.
Resources
- Orthodox Study Bible: Epistle to the Romans
- Podcast: "The Whole Counsel of God" Romans, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14 by Fr. Stephen De Young (www.antientfaith.org/podcasts/wholecounsel)
Church Wisdom
Apolytikion of St. Paul (Tone 4)
We venerate thee with gladness, O preacher of the Gentiles and thrice great star,
teacher of the Athenians and splendor of the world.
We honor thy struggles and tortures suffered on behalf of Christ, and thy sacred
martyrdom.
O Holy Apostle Paul, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Meditation & Activity
Family Activity
Materials: several wooden building blocks, small post-it notes
Write the name of one of the Fruits of the Spirit on a post-it and place it on a block.
Repeat for all fruits. Using all the wooden blocks, build a structure, making sure to incorporate the labeled blocks.
Discuss as a family or journal individually, reflecting on how Christ asks that we build each other up. How do these fruits help build up the Body of Christ?