Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 20

 

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: Rom 15:20

I strived to... Paul is saying in this that he went out as a missionary to areas where Christ had not yet been preached.

not where Christ... His goal was to reach those who had never heard the gospel which is the primary function of a New Testament evangelist.

I should build... He planted the first seed of Christianity in many of these places. He is saying that he is not building upon the work that Jesus has already started, but went about starting new churches where there were no churches.

1Cor. 3:9-11 “For we are laborer’s together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye are] God’s building.” “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Reference to the geographical extent of his ministry (Rom. 15:19) led Paul to declare something of his philosophy of outreach: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known (lit., “named”). Paul purposed to be a true pioneer evangelist, opening virgin territory to the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. This was so that he would not be building on someone else’s foundation (cf. 1Cor. 3:10).