DAVID FRAMPTON
What do the prayers of a godly man sound like as the Spirit of God moves his heart? - Dave Frampton
Romans 15:30-33
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (ESV)
This section is an appeal for prayer by Paul to the Roman Christians. It includes incentives to pray, specific requests, and a prayer for those whose prayers he seeks.
1.To incentives to pray. Notice the evangelical motivation.
Contrast: Legal motivation.
[1]“by our Lord Jesus Christ”. His plea for their help is our Lord himself. cf. 12:1; 2 Cor 10:1. In other words, “since we share in our union with him, the glorious Lord, pray for me.” The full title adds force to his appeal.
[2]“by the love of the Spirit”. Since this phrase is coordinated with the first, it refers to the Holy Spirit’s love for us. It is as if Paul were saying, “We share in the great love which the Spirit of God has for us; therefore, demonstrate the reality of your experience of his love by praying for me.” [cf. Phil 2:1-4.]
Point: Our relationship to others in the Lord ought to constrain us to pray for each other. The appeal of love should motivate us. If it won’t, what will?
2.His view of their help. They would be joining in his struggle by their prayers. The apostle’s point is that “earnest and consecrated prayer will be persistent and will wrestle. It is a means ordained of God for the accomplishment of his gracious designs and is the fruit of faith and expectation.” [Murray]
Ex.: Jacob. Gen 32:22-32
Ex.: Epaphras. Col 4:2
3.Paul’s prayer requests. It seems that there are three requests, and that the third is somewhat dependent on the first and second requests. Since we have no certain knowledge of all future events, it is necessary often to phrase our requests in this manner.
[1]He prays that his life might be preserved from the unbelievers in Judea. This was a real danger as the book of Acts relates. Ac 21:27ff. The Scriptures clearly show that we should use every lawful means to preserve our lives. Mt 10:23; 24:15; etc. And prayer should be a top priority in our use of lawful means! Here we see human knowledge and insight making use of one of God’s ordained means.
[2]He asks that his ministry might be acceptable to the Jerusalem saints. At first reading it would seem that this would automatically happen (since Paul’s visit included a generous gift from the Gentile churches.) But as one considers the powers of prejudice and the instability of even those who are truly Christian (Eph 4:14; etc.), then one can understand why such a prayer would be necessary.
Point: It is unwise to consider anything automatic and guaranteed in a sinful world-even a loving service to other believers.
[3]He desires a joyful first meeting with the believers at Rome, and he wants to enjoy refreshing fellowship with them.
The NTS really teach that the saints can profit by our meeting together. But remember the importance of prayer in order to gain this goal!
Quote: “We here see that it is not only lawful and proper to pray to the unchangeable God, but that it is our duty to pray to Him to prosper us even in His own work.” [Haldane]
4.“by God’s will”. Paul again acknowledges God’s sovereignty and submits himself to it. Note well that he considered prayer and God’s will to be harmonious realities.
Quote: “Paul did go to Rome but under circumstances and after delays which he could not have forecast. God answered the prayers but not in the ways that Paul had hoped for or anticipated.” [Murray]
5.He concludes this section with a prayer for them. 15:33.
[1]The title given to the Lord: the God of peace.
(1)This title occurs seven times in the NTS. Rm 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Ph 4:9; 1 Th 5:23; 2 Th 3:16; Heb 13:20
(2)“Paul, in here employing this title, the God of peace, indicates the free access which His people here have to God, and the assurance that their petitions will be heard; for what shall they not obtain from Him who has laid aside all his wrath, and breathes toward them only grace and peace? [Note the greetings in many of the letters.] We see, then, the efficacy of the peace of God, and what confidence towards God in their prayers, when they consider that God is the God of peace.” [Haldane]
[2]The blessing requested from the Lord.
(1)“In the prayer that the God of peace would be with them there is included all of the blessing insured by the presence of the God of peace.” [Murray]
(2)Of course, God is always present with his people (Heb 13:5; etc.) But the meaning is that the Lord God would manifest his presence by his gracious peace to them.
(3)The Amen. This word is used in worship to witness one’s agreement to what has been stated.
.
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (ESV)
This section is an appeal for prayer by Paul to the Roman Christians. It includes incentives to pray, specific requests, and a prayer for those whose prayers he seeks.
1.To incentives to pray. Notice the evangelical motivation.
Contrast: Legal motivation.
[1]“by our Lord Jesus Christ”. His plea for their help is our Lord himself. cf. 12:1; 2 Cor 10:1. In other words, “since we share in our union with him, the glorious Lord, pray for me.” The full title adds force to his appeal.
[2]“by the love of the Spirit”. Since this phrase is coordinated with the first, it refers to the Holy Spirit’s love for us. It is as if Paul were saying, “We share in the great love which the Spirit of God has for us; therefore, demonstrate the reality of your experience of his love by praying for me.” [cf. Phil 2:1-4.]
Point: Our relationship to others in the Lord ought to constrain us to pray for each other. The appeal of love should motivate us. If it won’t, what will?
2.His view of their help. They would be joining in his struggle by their prayers. The apostle’s point is that “earnest and consecrated prayer will be persistent and will wrestle. It is a means ordained of God for the accomplishment of his gracious designs and is the fruit of faith and expectation.” [Murray]
Ex.: Jacob. Gen 32:22-32
Ex.: Epaphras. Col 4:2
3.Paul’s prayer requests. It seems that there are three requests, and that the third is somewhat dependent on the first and second requests. Since we have no certain knowledge of all future events, it is necessary often to phrase our requests in this manner.
[1]He prays that his life might be preserved from the unbelievers in Judea. This was a real danger as the book of Acts relates. Ac 21:27ff. The Scriptures clearly show that we should use every lawful means to preserve our lives. Mt 10:23; 24:15; etc. And prayer should be a top priority in our use of lawful means! Here we see human knowledge and insight making use of one of God’s ordained means.
[2]He asks that his ministry might be acceptable to the Jerusalem saints. At first reading it would seem that this would automatically happen (since Paul’s visit included a generous gift from the Gentile churches.) But as one considers the powers of prejudice and the instability of even those who are truly Christian (Eph 4:14; etc.), then one can understand why such a prayer would be necessary.
Point: It is unwise to consider anything automatic and guaranteed in a sinful world-even a loving service to other believers.
[3]He desires a joyful first meeting with the believers at Rome, and he wants to enjoy refreshing fellowship with them.
The NTS really teach that the saints can profit by our meeting together. But remember the importance of prayer in order to gain this goal!
Quote: “We here see that it is not only lawful and proper to pray to the unchangeable God, but that it is our duty to pray to Him to prosper us even in His own work.” [Haldane]
4.“by God’s will”. Paul again acknowledges God’s sovereignty and submits himself to it. Note well that he considered prayer and God’s will to be harmonious realities.
Quote: “Paul did go to Rome but under circumstances and after delays which he could not have forecast. God answered the prayers but not in the ways that Paul had hoped for or anticipated.” [Murray]
5.He concludes this section with a prayer for them. 15:33.
[1]The title given to the Lord: the God of peace.
(1)This title occurs seven times in the NTS. Rm 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Ph 4:9; 1 Th 5:23; 2 Th 3:16; Heb 13:20
(2)“Paul, in here employing this title, the God of peace, indicates the free access which His people here have to God, and the assurance that their petitions will be heard; for what shall they not obtain from Him who has laid aside all his wrath, and breathes toward them only grace and peace? [Note the greetings in many of the letters.] We see, then, the efficacy of the peace of God, and what confidence towards God in their prayers, when they consider that God is the God of peace.” [Haldane]
[2]The blessing requested from the Lord.
(1)“In the prayer that the God of peace would be with them there is included all of the blessing insured by the presence of the God of peace.” [Murray]
(2)Of course, God is always present with his people (Heb 13:5; etc.) But the meaning is that the Lord God would manifest his presence by his gracious peace to them.
(3)The Amen. This word is used in worship to witness one’s agreement to what has been stated.
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