Romans 15:14-18
“And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
And they who have not heard will understand.”
Full of goodness: Christians are full of goodness because we have an obedient heart and are slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). The finished work of Christ solved our heart-issue (Jeremiah 17:9).
Accomplished through me: Paul clearly wants Rome to know that Christ is living in and through him. Therefore, he does not brag or boast about anything accomplished among the Gentiles. But this is not Paul saying, “All of Jesus and none of me.” Paul understands that Christ is his life and is in union with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; Colossians 3:3). He and Christ are in a type of dance together as they reach the world. This is the life of the believer.
Power of the spirit: God performed miracles through Paul in order to validate the message. Sometimes Christians believe that we must perform miracles if we are to participate in authentic Christianity. But Paul is not suggesting a prescription for all time. These miracles he performed only validated the content of the Gospel message.
