Romans 15:12-21: a reflection

12Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.” 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. 14I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others. 15But I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God, 16that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. 18For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; 20yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. 21But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”

Paul quotes Isaiah's promise that the root of Jesse, the Messiah, would arise to rule, and that in him the nations would hope. Then he prays a benediction that has blessed believers ever since: may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Notice the title Paul gives God here: the God of hope. Hope is not just something God gives; it flows from who he is.

The blessing describes a rich inner life: joy and peace, given as we believe, overflowing into an abundance of hope, all by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not hope worked up by our own effort or optimism, but hope that the Spirit produces in us as we trust God. And Paul goes on to speak of his own hope-filled ministry, carrying the gospel to places where Christ was not yet named, confident that God's promise to the nations was being fulfilled through his work.

Take Paul's benediction as a prayer for yourself. In a world that often drains hope away, the God of hope wants to fill you with joy and peace as you trust him, and to make hope abound in you by his Spirit. This hope does not depend on your circumstances improving; it rests on the God who is himself the source of hope and who keeps his promises. When hope runs low, turn to the God of hope, trust him, and ask the Spirit to fill you again with joy, peace, and an overflowing hope.

Lord, you are the God of hope, and you want to fill me with joy and peace as I trust you, so that I may abound in hope by the power of your Spirit. In a world that drains hope away, fill me again. Let my hope rest not on my circumstances but on you, who keep your promises. When hope runs low, turn my heart to you, and overflow me with the hope only your Spirit gives. Amen.