KJV
Rom 15:1
We then that are strong
ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3
For even Christ
pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that
reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom 15:5
Now the God of patience
and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another
according to Christ Jesus:
Rom 15:6
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:7
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Rom 15:8
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the
promises made unto the fathers:
Rom 15:9
And that the Gentiles
might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I
will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Rom 15:10
And again he saith, Rejoice,
ye Gentiles, with his people.
Rom 15:11
And again, Praise
the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
Rom 15:12
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise
to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Main Points:
Paul’s closing arguments for unity and understanding the inclusion of Gentiles as
being a part of God’s plan all along.
1. What
are Paul’s instructions to the strong? (1-2) He advises to be agreeable with the weak (as applies to
subjective consciences). This is a reference to chapter 14. He says we have an
obligation: KJ “ought to” ὀφείλω, ὀφειλέω opheilō opheileō of-i'-lo, of-i-leh'-o
Including its prolonged form (second form)
used in certain tenses. Probably from the base of G3786 (through the idea of accruing);
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively to be under obligation (ought,
must, should); morally to fail in duty: - behove, be
bound, (be) debt (-or), (be) due (-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need (-s),
ought, owe, should. See also G3785.
This is not a flexible guideline. We OWE it to our brothers and sisters to
serve them (by ignoring our right by knowledge and replacing it with an
attitude of service).
2.
How is the example of Christ to affect how we deal with
one another? (3) The example he sets forth is Jesus
himself. Jesus did not set out to serve himself; He served others by bearing
their reproach (he suffered the penalty of sin although not a sinner). He did
not deserve it, so it was an ultimate sacrifice in every way. He saw it as an
opportunity. It was not out of compulsion nor did He despise those He was
helping. He did it willfully and with earnest…for the betterment of others, and
for the glory of God. (Note Paul references the GLORY of/for God 3x) He is reining
in thoughts of selfishness. Remember chapter 14, this is the work of Jesus and
God they are handling….the same goes for us as well.
3.
How does verse 4 fit in with this message of bearing
with one another? It doesn’t seem to with a cursory
reading. It just seems to be setting up the following old testament scriptures.
He’s telling them: “these following verses apply to RIGHT NOW!” – His overriding
message might be found in verse 3’s OT reference Ps 69:9 where the writer says
the insults against God are borne on the writer (he is willfully suffering for
God’s cause). Jesus of course is the epitome of this.
4.
What is the goal according to verse 6? His may be the
point of the entire letter. Paul’s attempt to unify this church is embodied in
the statement; “TOGETHER, with ONE VOICE, GLORIFY the GOD and FATHER of our
LORD JESUS CHRIST!” This term glory in its use in the texts denotes not only
the obvious/apparent glory of God, but that our submission to Him will render
(or help make, perhaps amplify) His glory.
5.
What is Paul proving with the four quotations from the
old testament? (9-12)
2Sa 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto
thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
Psa 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks
unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Deu 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of
his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful
unto his land, and to his people.
Psa 117:1 O praise the LORD,
all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall
be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall
the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
These are Paul’s closing arguments concerning God being the God of Gentiles and
they have always been under His reign. He is purposefully referencing the
ancient scriptures to remove doubt, selfishness, despising, and judgment. He
knows this church must be all inclusive and UNITED if it is to survive.
Additional:
Paul is hammering away on basic
perceptions. He sees the Jew as the stronger and the Gentile as the weaker
(this goes back to chapter 14). He makes the inclusion of the Gentile a work of
Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit….don’t mess this up!
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For the Stronger |
For the Weaker |
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14:1 As for the weak, welcome them |
But not for forcing opinion |
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14:3 Do not despise the one who
abstains |
Do not pass judgment on the one
who eats |
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14:8 We live and die “to the Lord” |
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14:12 “each will give an account of himself to God” |
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14:14 Nothing is unclean of itself |
Except for those who think it is |
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14:15 You may choose to eat, but |
You may be “grieved” |
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14:15 “do not destroy the one for
whom Christ died” |
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14:20 do not destroy the work of
God |
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14:22 The faith that you have,
keep between yourself and God |
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14:23 whatever does not proceed
from faith is sin |
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14:17 the kingdom of God is a matter
of peace and righteousness (not eating or drinking) |
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14:19 let us pursue what makes
for peace and mutual upbuilding |
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15:7 receive one another as
Christ received us! |
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1,
2) Please : G700 ἀρέσκω areskōar-es'-ko
Probably from G142 (through the idea of exciting
emotion); to be agreeable
Hope: (all instances) G1680
ἐλπίς elpis el-pece'
Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word
(to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or
concrete) or confidence: - faith, hope
Glory 1391,
1392 – One denotes an apparent glory, and one denotes a rendering of glory
(shows an active participation on our part)
