All Roads Lead to Rome
During the Pax Romana Rome had spread its power and authority from Spain in the west to Parthia in the East. From Britannia and Germania in the north to Carthage and North Africa in the south. Everywhere Roman legions marched, Roman engineers built roads. These roads carried the mail, moved goods and services and were a means of unprecedented travel that united the then known world. On these roads the calloused feet of first century believers carried the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Beautiful feet carrying good news!
Rome was power, prestige and privilege. It was a place of great opulence and learning. It was the center of the universe in the first century. And Paul longed to get there- His heart was set on piercing the darkness of this cultural center with the good news of Jesus Christ. A flourishing church already existed there as evidenced by the list of believers Paul knew there in Romans 16:1-16. Priscilla and Aquila, Paul’s fellow tradesman in tent making, had a church in their house (16:3-5). Because Paul does not write the letter to refute error but rather to simply expound the truth is evidence that this was a healthy congregation, full of mature believers, well taught in the Scriptures and powerful in the Spirit. Paul longs to come to them, to be strengthened by them, as well as to strengthen them and to use them as a springboard to advance him on his way to mission work in Spain.
In the book Paul recounts his driving ambition: “I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unwise, so as much as in me is I am prepared to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes… (1:14-16)” This passion drives Paul’s life: To know Christ and to make Him known. As we study this book, my prayer is that we too may have a heart to know him and to make him known. That no shame would silence us, that no diversion would distract us, but that with patience and precision we would share the gospel of Jesus Christ in all its beauty. We too are debtors to those around us- may we pay the debt we owe.
Because of grace,
Tim
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