Paul's Motivation For Ministry 

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:8-17.

Memory Verse: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Introduction: What compelled Paul to write this epistle, and to share with them how much he desired to travel the many miles across land and sea that he might visit the Church at Rome? In his commentary on Romans, Dr. R. Kent Hughes outlines the three major motivations for ministry which Paul shares in Romans 1:11-17:
  "First (in verses 11-13), there is the motivation which springs from the prospect of mutual encouragement. Second, in verses 14 and 15 there is the motivation which comes from a sense of obligation. Third (vv. 16,17), there is the motivation which grows from his confidence in the power of the gospel. As we examine these, we will see that they intensify so that the final motivation (his confidence in the gospel's power) is by far the supreme driving force behind his ministry. As we examine this text, we need to keep in the back of our minds that everyone can enlarge his or her spiritual vision by internalizing the elements of Paul's motivation to minister to Rome." *
  Another important element in any Christian's ministry is his spiritual attitude. Romans 1:8-16 reveals ten different heart attitudes of this Apostle:
  1) Verse 8 . . . A thankful spirit.
  2) Verse 9,10a . . . A concerned spirit.
  3 & 4) Verse 10b . . . A willing and submissive spirit.
  5) Verse 11 . . . A loving spirit.
  6) Verse 12 . . . A humble spirit.
  7) Verse 13 . . . A fruitful spirit.
  8) Verse 14 . . . An obedient spirit.
  9) Verse 15 . . . An eager spirit.
  10) Verse 16 . . . A bold spirit.
*Donald Grey Barnhouse, Man's Ruin, p. 72.

Lesson Questions:

1. What was Paul's attitude toward the Roman Christian's spiritual reputation? Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Colossians 1:3,4.

2. What was Paul's personal prayer concerning this church? Romans 1:9,10; 15:30-32.

3. For what double benefit did Paul want to be in Rome? Romans 1:11,12; 2 Corinthians 12:14,15; 1 John 1:3,4.
"Paul was not standing as one apart from the people, above them, dispensing the grace of God as a priest handing out something that a lesser order of beings was to take and be thankful for . . . Paul himself needed blessing from the people by their mutual faith."--R. Kent Hughes, Romans, Righteousness From Heaven, pp. 24,25.

4. What productive intent did Paul have for coming to Rome? Romans 1:13; John 15:16; 4:35,36; Colossians 1:10; Romans 7:4.

5. To whom does Paul say he was under obligation? Romans 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:16,17; 6:19,20; Mark 16:15.
"Paul's compelling sense of indebtedness to God for His grace and to people because of his ministry meant that he was never free to feel that his work was done. It is hard to imagine how Paul was able to live with such a constant load of spiritual responsibility; yet . . . it is harder to grasp how many believers are able to live complacently without any sense of obligation."--Donald Grey Barnhouse, Man's Ruin, (Romans 1:1-32), pp. 144,145.

6. How eager and prepared was Paul to preach in Rome? Romans 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:20,21; 4:2; Titus 3:4.

7. Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel? Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 4:19,20; John 1:12; Psalm 106:8; Matthew 18:11; Hebrews 9:11-14.
"Salvation through Christ is God's powerful hand, as it were, that He has let down to lift men up. His salvation brings deliverance from the spiritual infection of 'this perverse generation,' from lostness, from sin, and from the wrath of God."--D. Stuart Briscoe, The Communicator's Commentary, Romans, p. 35.

8. What is revealed to and reckoned upon men who believe the gospel? Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:8,9; Habakkuk 2:4.
"The Greek [in verse 17] is very interesting--ek pisteos eis pistin. It is literally that the righteousness of God is revealed out of faith and into faith. In other words, God does not speak to you directly from heaven, but He comes out of the faith of one heart into the faith of another . . . One man preaches and another man believes."--John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Romans 1-8, pp. 54,55.