Encouraging Words of Affirmation

At the conclusion of Romans 15:13, Paul the apostle ended his major message to
the believers in Rome and then began his epilogue in verse 14. Hoping to bring his
thoughts to a close in a much more personal manner, he wrote the rest of his letter
with candor and affection. From Romans 15:14 to the end of the letter, he employed
an “I” / “you” directness in his style. He started by encouraging them with affirming
words, and then he opened his heart and life to his readers, revealing the past, present,
and future of his ministry. He then asked for their prayers of protection on his behalf.
Before his final benediction, he sent his personal greetings, naming one individual after
another, most of whom are mentioned nowhere else in all the New Testament.