Paul, a Roman citizen, has not been to Rome at the time of this writing. Imagine an American citizen never visiting Washington D.C. (Paul finally reaches Rome some 3 years after he wrote Romans - see Acts 28:15). 

But Paul wasn’t the typical Roman citizen - a Jewish man, former pharisee (an expert in the Jewish Scriptures). 

Paul often ministered to other Jews, but his primary ministry was to Gentiles (Greek ethnesin) - people who were racially & religiously different than him. Paul didn’t have a “let their kind take care of their kind” attitude.

Romans classified themselves as Greeks (often called Greco-Roman) - cultured and civilized people - speaking the Greek language that this very writing (Romans) was written in. The barbarians were considered uncivilized savages by the Greeks.

Paul parallels these terms - Greeks and barbarians, with wise and foolish. Paul’s ministry is to both the elite and educated as well as to the simple & uncultured. Paul takes seriously the command to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19), to take the gospel (good news) to all kinds of people. Paul knew that the heartbeat of God is the salvation of all nations & generations.

Paul was quick to remind believers to focus what UNITES us - the gospel message - not on what DIVIDES us.

The gospel (“good news”) transforms lives, and unites those who were once divided! It had so transformed the guy writing this text - Paul - that he changed teams - from persecuting followers of Jesus to leading people to follow Jesus! Paul knew better than most, that….

BIG TRUTH: Christians unite under ONE KING and ONE KINGdom. 

Paul made this clear in multiple writings.

Colossians 3:11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Galatians 3:27–28 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

* Paul isn’t denying distinctions and differences. He’s saying these differences DON’T DIVIDE us!

Christians unite under ONE KING and ONE KINGdom. 

There is a brotherhood in Christ between people of very different cultures and colors. It’s okay to be proud patriots of our nations, but Christians were/are to FIRST pledge allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom. Christians unite under ONE KING and ONE KINGdom. 

As many media outlets attempt to further divide Americans by political or racial distinctions, followers of Jesus MUST NOT BE DIVIDED!

Isn’t THIS the time that we can STAND and SHOW the watching world the difference Jesus makes in humanity? Isn’t the time that we SAY and SHOW that we are NOT ASHAMED of the Gospel message that is the power of God to salvation for ALL who believe? Are we going to SHOW it? Are we going to make the 1st move or wait until someone else does?