Paul's Service to the Gentiles and Missionary Ambition
Romans 15:14-22
14I have been persuaded, then, my brothers, and I myself concerning you, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge and being able also to admonish one another.15More boldly, then, I wrote to you in part as one reminding you through the grace given to me by God.16To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, having been sanctified in the Holy Spirit.17I therefore have my pride in Christ Jesus in the things that concern God.18For I will not be bold to speak of anything except what Christ has worked out through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and by work.19In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit, so that I have fulfilled the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem and the surrounding region as far as Illyricum.20Thus I aspire to preach the gospel where Christ was not named, in order that I may not build upon another's foundation.21But just as it has been written: "Those to whom he was not reported about will see, and those who have not heard will understand."22Therefore I was also greatly hindered from coming to you.