A Word about Practical Theology from Romans 15:23-24

Today I want to share a word about practical theology as I comment on Romans 15:23-24.

We often think of Romans as an intensely theological book and it is. If we assume Paul did not write Hebrews, Romans is probably his greatest theological work.

We would be mistaken, however, to ignore the many very practical sections in Romans. For example:

In Romans 8, Paul dealt with suffering.

In Romans 12, Paul discussed our service to God.

In Romans 13, Paul outlined true patriotism and what it meant to be a good neighbor.

In Romans 15 Paul outlined the tasks of missions, church planting, and evangelism.

In Romans 16, Paul recognized faithful co-laborers in the cause of Christ.

So, you can see that Romans is a very practical book, and our focal passage for today provides us a very practical teaching. Indeed, Paul had a very practical reason for writing the church in Rome. 

Paul knew that the Church at Rome did not have an apostolic founder. He wanted the Roman believers to have a solid foundation in the faith, but not just so that could boast in their theological astuteness. In fact, Paul told them that one of the primary reasons that he was writing them was so that they could help him go to Spain on missions, which is certainly a practical ministry activity.

In Romans 15:23-24, Paul told the church at Rome, 

“But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while”

Paul’s reason for writing the Church at Rome needs to inform and guide our own use of theology.

Theology is literally the study of God, and because God is such a fascinating subject, people have in past times have gotten so enthralled with the details of God’s being and actions that they have lost focus and forgotten the purpose for which they try to learn more about Him.

Medieval theologians have rightly been criticized for arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Even if one could discover such a number, how could such knowledge improve anyone’s spiritual condition.

Contrast that with what Jesus said He came to do; to seek and save the lost and to give us abundant life. How immensely practical!

Equally practical was how Paul described the use of Spiritual Gifts in the church in Romans 12:4-8.

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

No doubt, the Book of Romans discusses many deep and intriguing spiritual truths, but those truths have a practical and beneficial application to our personal lives.  We will be looking at several of these over the next few weeks.

So, that’s all for now; thanks for watching. I will be back soon with more practical points of theology from Romans.

Every blessing,

Otis Corbitt