Second, in Romans, we find not only an understanding of the progression of the gospel, but also “mission expectations” of Paul. We must not forget that the epistle to the Romans was written to a church that Paul did not establish nor previously visit. Yet he writes to them to receive support in the new missionary work that he intends to begin in Spain. He states his intentions in Romans 15:23-24 and 28: "But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while…When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you." The significant phrase here is the phrase "to be helped," which is a technical word in Greek for missionary support used in the New Testament.¹² What kind of support does Paul have in mind? I am sure Paul has in mind some financial and logistical support. Moreover, since the basic meaning of the word includes the notion of “to accompany” and “to escort,” Paul might also have in mind co-workers who would go along with him to Spain.

Finally, borrowing a phrase from Herman Ridderbos and his book, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, Paul expects from the churches a “missionary attitude.”¹³ There is an expectation of the growth and expansion of the church both in qualitative and geographical ways until the return of Christ. The proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is meant for all nations and Paul encourages readers and the churches to be involved in his call as the apostle to the Gentiles. This entails not just supporting missionaries like himself, but it entails much more of an active participation in the ministry of the proclamation of the gospel. We see this in the beginning of chapter 16, where Paul actually commends Priscilla and Aquila for risking their lives for the gospel. Moreover, if we may leave Romans for just a moment, we find in the Epistle to the Philippians Paul thanking the church in Philippi for their "fellowship in the gospel" (Phil 1:5). The phrase "in the gospel" seems to indicate an active participation of the congregation, their involvement in the gospel, their cooperation in the proclamation of the gospel—not only in the sense of indirect participation by prayer and financial support, but also in direct and active participation of passing on the gospel that they have received. It might be worth noting that the Epistle to the Philippians was written when Paul was imprisoned in Rome. He writes this letter having arrived in Rome–obviously not in the manner that imagined or hoped for–and having witnessed the boldness of the believers in Rome. To the Philippians he commends the Roman believers for their active participation in the proclamation of the gospel: "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." As Paul sits in prison, he marvels at the grace of God, that these are people lifted up so that they may, with boldness, proclaim the gospel.

Paul expects the church to participate in the ongoing redemptive work of God. Both the church and Paul work because God is at work. Not surprisingly, commentators consider Romans “a document of missionary diplomacy”¹⁴ or “missionary document”¹⁵ where the role of the church plays incredibly significant a role in the ongoing work of God in Christ.

Conclusion
I'm not exactly sure how to conclude this talk. I can simply repeat what I just said: God is at work and as a result, Paul and the churches are at work. But perhaps I can do no better than to summarize the end with an exhortation by George Eldon Ladd. In this day and age where words like “practical,” “new,” “sophisticated,” “effective,” “authentic,” “innovative,” and “cultural” are often used to describe what the church needs to seek, this is what Ladd says in his little book called The Gospel of the Kingdom:

“The Christian Church today often has an inferiority-complex…We have often felt that the world has thrust the Church into a corner and passed us by…The Church is brushed aside. Sometimes we get that feeling that we really do not count. We are on the margin of influence, we have been pushed over onto the periphery instead of standing squarely in the centre; and we pity ourselves and long for the world to pay attention to us. Indeed, our main concern seems often to be that of self-preservation, and we assume a defeatist interpretation of our significance and of our role in the world!”¹⁶

“Let us be done with this inferiority complex. Let us for ever lay aside this attitude of self-pity and lamentation over our insignificance. Let us recognize what we are as God sees us and let us be about our divinely appointed programme…I am glad, indeed proud, to be a part of the Church of Christ because to us has been committed the most meaningful and worthwhile task of any human institution. This gives to my life an eternal significance, for I am sharing in God’s plan for the ages.”¹⁷

Footnotes (on this page)