Unlimited: By the Power of Signs and Wonders
Nov 29, 2023 356
by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God… (Romans 15:19a).
Paul has just told us that he will not speak of his own accomplishments, but instead of what God has done. Here is the proof of it.
Throughout the book of Acts, Paul is described by Luke as a mighty worker of miracles, whose preaching is accompanied by mighty signs. Yet we hardly get a glimpse of Paul as a miracle-worker in his own letters.
Here, in Rom. 15:19 we find one of the very few references in Paul’s own writings of the “signs and wonders” which he worked. Why is there such a stark difference in the descriptions of Paul’s ministry between the book of Acts and Paul’s own epistles?
We find very few references in Paul’s own writings of the “signs and wonders” which he worked.
The context of the verses preceding this one suggests a deep reluctance to exalt himself on account of his own gifts.
Paul subordinates his own miraculous gifts for the sake of the gospel. It is because Paul understands the Gospel in the way that he does, that he will not even mention his own healings and miraculous work.
It is worth nothing that in Paul’s epistles, it is always those who do not understand the Gospel who exalt themselves on the basis of their prophetic and miraculous gifts. However, every time Paul mentions his own healings, it is within the context of “not boasting.”
Spiritual Application
Have you ever had a spiritual experience that you have never told anyone about, lest it take the attention away from God and onto yourself? Do you think this was what the apostle Paul was doing?
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