Romans 15:19 - in 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;

Generated Verse: Romans 15:19

What does "Romans 15:19" mean?


This verse, Romans 15:19, is Paul summarizing his missionary work and explaining the authority and reach of his ministry. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:

"In the power of signs and wonders...": This refers to miraculous events that accompanied Paul's preaching. These were not just random miracles, but demonstrations of divine power that served to authenticate his message as coming from God. Think of healings, casting out demons, and other extraordinary events that validated the gospel.

"...in the power of God’s Spirit...": This emphasizes that the signs and wonders were not due to Paul's own abilities, but rather were powered by the Holy Spirit. It underscores the divine origin and empowerment of his ministry. The Spirit enabled him to speak boldly, connect with people, and perform these miracles.

"...so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;": This highlights the geographical extent of Paul's ministry. He started in Jerusalem and then moved westward, reaching Illyricum (a region roughly corresponding to modern-day Albania and parts of the former Yugoslavia). "Fully preached" suggests he didn't just pass through; he thoroughly proclaimed the gospel, establishing churches and discipling believers in these regions.

In essence, the verse is saying:

Paul's missionary efforts were successful and far-reaching because they were accompanied by supernatural signs and wonders, which were powered by the Holy Spirit. This divine backing allowed him to spread the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum, thoroughly evangelizing those regions.

Key takeaways:

Divine Authority: The signs and wonders were evidence that Paul's message was divinely authorized.
Spirit-Empowered Ministry: The Holy Spirit was the source of power and effectiveness in Paul's ministry.
Geographical Reach: Paul's ministry covered a vast area, demonstrating his dedication to spreading the gospel.
Complete Proclamation: "Fully preached" implies that Paul thoroughly communicated the Gospel message wherever he went.

The verse is a powerful statement of Paul's apostolic calling and the transformative impact of the Gospel when preached with the power of the Holy Spirit. It also provides insight into how the early church understood the relationship between the Holy Spirit, miracles, and the spread of the Gospel.