Where Christ Was Not Named

Those Who Have Not Heard

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Later in his life, Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome. In it he told them what he had always aimed to do.

Paul’s aim. “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named” (Romans 15:20). An aim is a goal you work toward with all your heart.

Not where Christ was named. Paul wanted to go to places where people had never heard the name of Jesus. Macedonia was one of those places when the man in the vision called for help.

A new foundation. Paul did not want to “build on another man’s foundation” (15:20). A foundation is the bottom part that holds up a building. He hoped to start new churches where none had been.

Other workers matter too. Paul was not saying that the work of others was bad. God gives different jobs to different people. Paul’s job was to go first.

God’s promise. Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand” (15:21).

What it means. People who had never been told about Jesus would see and understand. God had promised this long before Paul was born.

Why it matters. A person cannot trust in Someone they have never heard about. That is why God sends His people to tell.

Everyone needs to hear. All people have sinned, in every land and every language. Every one of them needs the same Savior.

The good news. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” and “He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus died on the cross for us, and He is alive.

A promise for anyone. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). That promise is for people who have never heard yet, and it is for you.

Near and far. Some people who have not heard live far away. Others live on your street or sit next to you at school.

Every believer can help. Some believers go far away. Others pray, give and tell people near them. Each one helps the good news reach new places.

What to do. Pray this week for people in another country to hear about Jesus. Then pray for one person near you, and ask God for a chance to tell them.

Writing to the church in Rome, a church he had not yet visited, Paul explained the purpose that had shaped his travels.

Philotimeomai (15:20). “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.” Made it my aim is philotimeomai (say: fil-oh-tee-MEH-oh-my), to make something your ambition and pursue it eagerly. Paul’s ambition was not fame but unreached people.

Where Christ was not named. To name Christ is to know and confess Him. Paul aimed for places where His name was not yet known. The call to Macedonia in Acts 16:9-10 sent him to just such a land.

Another man’s foundation. A foundation is laid once, and others build on it. Paul honored those who build on a foundation others have laid, but his calling was to lay the first stones.

From Isaiah (15:21). Paul wrote, “as it is written,” and quoted Isaiah 52:15: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” The prophet had promised that nations who had never been told would see the Servant of the Lord.

Isaiah’s Servant. In Isaiah, the One the nations would see is the Servant who “was wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). The message for those who have not heard is about Him.

Scripture drives mission. Paul did not invent his aim. He read God’s promise and gave his life to seeing it come true.

The universal need. Every nation shares the same problem: sin, and separation from God. No people group is closer to God by nature than another.

The same gospel. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” He was buried, and “He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He died on the cross for sinners in every land.

Whoever calls. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The promise is wide, and that is why the messengers must go.

Your part. Not everyone is called to cross a sea. But every believer is called to care that Christ is named where He is not yet known.

Application. Learn the name of one country or people group with few believers, and pray for them this week. Then look for one person near you who has not yet heard the gospel clearly.

The Fullness of the Blessing

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In the same letter to Rome, Paul looked back at his years of work and looked ahead to new places.

Looking back. Paul wrote that “from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19). Illyricum was a land northwest of Macedonia. Paul had carried the good news across many lands.

God’s power. The work was not done in Paul’s own strength. It happened “by the power of the Spirit of God” (15:19). The same Spirit who led Paul at Troas went with him.

Macedonia on the way. Macedonia lay between Jerusalem and Illyricum. The call in Paul’s vision was one step in that long work.

Looking ahead. “But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you” (15:23-24). Spain was far to the west.

A great desire. Paul had wanted to visit Rome for many years. His heart kept reaching toward people who had not yet heard.

What Paul would bring. “But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ” (15:29). Fullness means a full measure, nothing missing.

The blessing of the gospel. The gospel brings forgiveness of sin, peace with God, new life now and a home with God forever. That is the richest blessing anyone can receive.

Why we need it. Every person has sinned. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

How it comes. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead. Everyone who trusts Him receives the gift.

For the whole world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

A blessing to share. Paul did not keep the blessing to himself. The more he received, the more he wanted others to have it.

Your journey. You may not travel to Spain, but God has places for you to carry the good news: your home, your school and your friends.

What to do. Thank God this week for the blessing of the gospel. Then share one part of it, like God’s forgiveness, with someone who needs to hear it.

Near the end of Romans, Paul reviewed his work and described the journey he still hoped to make.

Fully preached (15:19). “In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Illyricum lay northwest of Macedonia, along the sea that faces Italy. From the city of the cross to the edge of that region, the gospel had been fully preached.

By the Spirit. The power was the Spirit’s. The One who closed and opened the roads in Acts 16 was the One who made the preaching fruitful.

Macedonia’s place. The call of Acts 16:9-10 opened the way into Macedonia, and from there the work went on. One obedient step became part of a much larger work.

No more place (15:23-24). “But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you.” Spain was at the far western edge of the known world.

Helped on the way. Paul hoped the church in Rome would help send him on. Mission is a partnership: some go, and others send and support.

The fullness (15:29). “But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Paul did not expect to bring half a gospel or a thin blessing. He would come with the whole of what Christ gives.

What the blessing is. In Christ there is forgiveness, being made right with God, the gift of the Spirit and eternal life. Nothing needs to be added.

The wages and the gift. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Christ died on the cross bearing sin, and God raised Him from the dead.

For the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Application. Ask what it would mean to bring the fullness of the gospel into one conversation this week, not just being kind, but speaking clearly about Christ.

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