The apostle Paul was, in modern parlance, a missionary. In a sense he was always restless, not wanting to build on another’s foundation, not wanting to spend too much time in any one place. There was lots of work to do!
Romans 15.22-29 reveal something of the apostle’s heart on this matter. Paul refers to Rome, to Spain, to Jerusalem, and to other places he has already visited. Matthew Henry reminds us that the reason was always the people there. Great architecture and glorious scenery were never part of his planning.
In Acts16.6-10, we read of clear divine guidance in his mission. But here we read of him following principles. Such are not contradictory, but entirely consistent. God always guides His people in line with principles of integrity and compassion.
Paul writes, “but now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions…” (v23). A remarkable statement! Again, we learn from Matthew Henry. He says:
- Paul would not leave his work of planting churches; and
- The whole of that country being more or less leavened with the savour of the gospel.
The apostle Paul was committed to planting churches, his practice everywhere he travelled. But he did not do this without the support and partnership of others. Indeed, part of his commitment was to release others to plant and support churches. Several times we read him sending others on his behalf.
Paul remained committed to planting churches, but he did not need to remain in the region he was writing from. Those churches were, it seems, sufficiently strong to raise their own church-planters in the spirit of Paul. He was confident that they shared his way of life in Christ Jesus. The churches that they would plant would share the same values as churches Paul personally planted. In 2 Timothy 2.2, Paul had explicitly planned and provided for these same values to be passed on to future generations of leaders in local churches. Mission will continue to be fuelled by the same truths.
Other regions remained to be opened for the gospel, and Paul was committed to that goal. In 2 Cor 10.16 he refers to ‘regions beyond’ Corinth. Until Christ returns there will always be regions beyond, communities that have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ. In fact, Christ Himself promised that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in the whole world, to all tribes, and then the end will come (Matt 24.14).