Rom 15:14-16 What was Paul’s estimation of the believers in Rome?  See Rom 15:14.  Although he esteemed their faith, why did he yet feel compelled to write what has turned out to be his longest and most in-depth epistle?  In what way did Paul view himself as a priest of the new covenant, and how was his ministry different from that of the priests of the old covenant?  How was it different from that of those who are today called priests in the Roman, Orthodox and Anglican traditions?  See 1 Pet 2:5,9, Rev 1:6.  Whereas Paul viewed himself as ministering the gospel, what did the priests of the old covenant minister?

Rom 15:17-2 What qualifications could Paul boast about that gave him the right and authority to write “very boldly” (Rom 15:15) to an established church he had never visited?  See Rom 15:18-19.  Is the power of signs and wonders alone necessarily evidence that God is working in an individual?  See 2 Thess 2:9.  Locate on a Bible map Illyricum.  Note: The Dalmatia mentioned in 2 Tim 4:10 also refers to this same region north and west of Macedonia along the eastern shores of the Adriatic.  What insight do these verses give us into Paul’s travels that Luke mentions in Acts 20:2?  Is Paul’s example in Rom 15:20-21 something all Christians should follow?  See Eph 4:11-13.

Rom 15:22-29 Why had Paul been hindered from visiting the church in the strategic city of Rome?  Why was that hindrance no longer a problem?  See again Rom 15:19.  What were his future plans that would allow him to finally go to Rome?  Was Rome his ultimate goal?  What was?  See Rom 15:24 and again Rom 15:20-21.  How would the Roman church be able to help him in that goal?  Compare Acts 13:1-3, 14:26-28, 15:40-42, 18:22-23.  Were his plans fulfilled in the way he had hoped and intended?  See Acts 25:9-12.  How does this illustrate the truth of Prov 16:9?  What were Paul’s immediate plans, and for what purpose?  See Rom 15:25-26.  What was the attitude of many, if not most, of the Jewish believers in Judea towards the Gentile believers?  See Acts 11:1-3, 15:1,5, 21:20-21, Gal 2:1-5,11-13, etc…  What effect did Paul hope the contribution from the Gentile churches he had established would have upon that attitude?  How is this a practical example of his own words in Rom 12:21?  What principle of giving does Paul apply in Rom 15:27?  See also 1 Cor 9:11, 1 Tim 5:17-18.  While Paul had “for many years a longing” to go to Rome, he submitted himself to the Lord’s will and so was hindered; how would this now allow him to come to Rome “in the fullness of the blessing of Christ”?  Although he came to Rome as a prisoner, how was that still “in the fullness of the blessing of Christ”?  See Phil 2:12-14.  Are we as willing to submit our will to the Lord’s in order to experience the fullness of His blessing?  Cf. Acts 21 14.

Rom 15:30-33 Why was Paul concerned about the reception he might receive in Jerusalem?  See Acts 13:45-46,50, 14:19, 15:1-2, 17:5,13, 18:12, 20:3.  For what purpose was Paul so compelled to go to Jerusalem when he knew the great danger of doing so (Acts 20:22-24, 21:4,10-14)?  See again Rom 15:25-26, 28 as well as Rom 15:31b and what Paul hoped to accomplish with the gift he was delivering.  Were his prayers and those he requested answered?  See Acts 28:14-15, and with Rom 15:32 see Acts 28:30.  Do you think they were answered in the way he had hoped?  What does this teach us about answers to prayer?