Unlimited: I Have Fully Proclaimed the Gospel
Nov 30, 2023 326
So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:19b.)
When Paul says he has “fully proclaimed the gospel” he doesn’t mean that every single person in these regions has heard it. Instead, Paul saw himself as a pioneer, called to introduce the Gospel to new regions (Rom. 15:20–21), and then let it grow. Apart from the churches that Paul himself had started, we know that other Christian churches had sprung up among the Gentiles, such as the church in Rome itself. In this way, Paul can say that,
the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace(Col. 1:6.)
Paul saw himself as a pioneer, called to introduce the Gospel to new regions, and then let it grow.
Other passages in which Paul refers to the rapid spread of the Gospel are found in Col. 1:23:
…the gospel… has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven (Col. 1:23.)
He also writes later in Romans about the
…gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ… made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith (Rom. 16:25–26, NKJV.)
It is certainly true that the apostles, and Paul in particular, were faithful to Christ’s command to take the Gospel to the world. It is for this purpose that they dedicated the rest of their lives.
Spiritual Application
How faithful are you to Christ’s command to preach the Gospel, in terms of the time, abilities, and resources with which he has entrusted you? Pray about it, and do something definite this week to increase your commitment.
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