Romans 15:1-13

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Romans 15:1-12. Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. Romans 15:3 For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me, Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: Romans 15:6 that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God. Romans 15:8 For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, Romans 15:9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,

Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles,

And sing unto thy name.

Romans 15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

Romans 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; And let all the peoples praise him.

Romans 15:12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.

374.

Chapter fifteen discusses the obligations of one brother. Who is it?

375.

Why should the strong give in? In what manner should the strong bear the infirmities of the weak?

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 15:1-13

598.

Why would it be displeasing to anyone to bear the infirmities of the weak?

599.

What is the nature of the weakness here described?

600.

Should we make some definite effort to please our neighbor, or should this happen in the so-called ordinary way of life?

601.

In what sense did Christ not please himself?

602.

Who is the thee of Romans 15:3 b? What is the meaning of such an expression?

603.

Show the connection of Romans 15:3-4.

604.

Should not the holy scriptures be a source of comfort to us every day? Why is this not true in our life?

605.

Our God is one of patience and comfort. How can we find this to be true personally?

606.

How was Paul's prayer of Romans 15:5-6 to be answered?

607.

We are to glorify God with our mouth. If you were to attempt to fulfill such an admonition right now, how would you do it?

608.

Verse seven presents a principle whereby all hesitation in receiving one another should be removed. Why?

609.

What truth of God is referred to in Romans 15:8? What are the promises? Name two.

610.

Who is singing in Romans 15:9? Why?

611.

Why this array of references to the Gentiles? cf. Romans 15:10-12.

Paraphrase

Romans 15:1-12. We then, who are well instructed in the Christian doctrine, ought so to behave towards the ignorant, that their errors may hurt them as little as possible; and should not please ourselves only in what we do.

Romans 15:2 Wherefore, let every one of us please his neighbor in things innocent, to the promoting of his virtue and peace, for the sake of edifying the body of Christ.

Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself: his own pleasure was not the object of his actions, but the glory of God and the good of others; as it is written, The reproaches of them who reproached thee, have fallen on me: the punishment due to the wicked, who by their speeches and actions dishonored God, was laid to me.

Romans 15:4 But whatever things were before written in the scriptures, were written for our instruction, that through our recollecting the patience wherewith holy men have borne -reproaches and sufferings for the glory of God, and the consolation which they received, all recorded in the scriptures, we might have hope of attaining the like patience and consolation in the like circumstances.

Romans 15:5 Now may God, the author of the patience and consolation of the saints, grant you to have the very same disposition towards one another always, according to the will and example of Christ Jesus;

Romans 15:6 That, joining together in religious worship, unanimously with one voice ye may praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for his love to man.

Romans 15:7 Wherefore hold communion [have fellowship] with one another, notwithstanding ye differ in opinion about meats and days, even as Christ also hath received us all into his church, to the glory of God.

Romans 15:8 To Christ's receiving the Gentiles, it is no objection that he never preached to them: for I affirm, that Jesus Christ became a minister of the circumcision, on account of establishing the truth of God, in order that, by converting the Jews, and sending them to preach to the Gentiles, he might accomplish the promises made to the fathers concerning the blessing of the nations;

Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might praise God on account of the mercy showed them, as it is written, -Thou hast made me the head of the heathen; therefore I will glorify thee, O Lord, among the heathen: My disciples will glorify thee for making me the head of the heathen; and sing unto thy name, on account of their being saved by me.-'

Romans 15:10 And again, Moses, foretelling the subjection of the Gentiles to God, saith, -Rejoice ye Gentiles with his people.-'

Romans 15:11 And again, -O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him, all ye people.-' Praise the Lord, because ye enjoy the privileges of the gospel along with the Jews, whereby his -merciful kindness is great towards us.-'

Romans 15:12 And again, Isaiah saith, (Isaiah 11:10). -In that day there shall be the root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; and to it the Gentiles shall seek for protection, government, and salvation, -And his rest shall be glorious.-'

Summary

The strong are under obligation to bear with the weak, even though it subjects them to inconvenience. This was the course pursued by Christ, and he is our example. As the Savior has accepted us, notwithstanding our imperfections, so must we accept one another regardless of differences on immaterial questions, such as eating meat and the like. The whole section is devoted to unity of feeling, forbearance, and harmony in action. Every form of alienation among the children of God is wrong, and therefore to be studiously guarded against.

376.

How shall we determine when we are indulgent and not helpful?

377.

Give the meaning of the expression Even Christ pleased not himself.

378.

Explain how the Old Testament scriptures are a source of help in our helping the weak.

Comment

3.

Exhortations to Mutual Helpfulness. Romans 15:1-13

Chapter fifteen continues the thought of fourteen. We are to further understand the proper relationship of the strong to the weak. Particularly is this a discussion of how the strong are to act toward the weak. Those who have no scruples about meats and days should patiently bear with those who do. Since the conscience of the strong would not be violated by observance or lack of observance of these matters, it is altogether reasonable to call on the strong to acquiesce in the matter. Let the strong behave as God does with thembear (not begrudgingly) with the imperfections of the weak. If the strong in faith were to assert himself and rebuke the weak, it would be on a matter of opinion, and would only please the strongnot God, nor the weak. None of us must act with the thought of self-indulgence.
Our efforts as those who are strong are to be only for the purpose of help. When our neighbor (weak or strong) asks for assistance in doing anything contrary to the will of God, he should be rebuked, not helped. A great deal of wisdom is necessary in determining when we are helpful and not indulgent. If we have a sincere desire to see our fellow Christian advance in wisdom and grace, we shall find ways of helping such a growth.

The attitude of Christ toward others is here given as an example for the action of the weak. Was it always easy for our Lord to bear with the ignorance and misunderstanding of his followers? It would have been easier to please himselfand his pleasure was always rightbut this he did not do. If he who had such a divine prerogative did not take it, who are we to insist upon pleasing ourselves? The prophecy of Psalms 69:1-36 finds a fulfillment in the attitude of Christ toward the weak. The reproaches of men fell upon Christ. If Christ was willing to bear so much to help all, can we not manifest something of the same love toward one another?

Paul makes an explanation of the purpose of using this reference from the Psalms. He says: The Old Testament scriptures were written for our instructionparticularly in the area of helping the weak. The scriptures are a great source of patience and comfort. When we do what is right, we retain our hope.
Verse five seems to have the element of a prayer. It is Paul's deepest desire that the God who can produce patience and comfort should so work in their lives as to cause them to be of the same mind, according to the example of Christ.

The true purpose of receiving one another is seen in Romans 15:6: That we might present to the world one choir of praise to God. This God is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, the conclusion: Let us accept one another in the same way we were accepted by God in Christ. If God is willing to overlook all our imperfections, why should we hesitate, especially when we know it brings glory to God. God will be honored even by the unbelieving when they see his power and love in the lives of his followers.
Verse seven begins a new thought, yet one which is associated with the preceding. Christ came to reconcile both Jew and Gentile in one body, and this he did. The application isif he came to do this, are we not frustrating his purpose if we divide among ourselves? The details of this argument are: Christ was born of the Jewish race in order to save them. He came in fulfillment of promises made by God to the fathers. Not one promise failednot one word proved untrue. The end result was the salvation of all the world.

We are yet developing the thought of mutual helpfulness. Romans 15:9-12 contain a series of Old Testament prophecies which show in their promise and fulfillment the unity of Jews and Gentiles. Note: In Romans 15:9 b David is in the midst of the Gentiles confessing the name of God and singing with the Gentiles. In Deuteronomy 32:43 are the words of Romans 15:10 a. Moses is here called to support the thought. In this example the Gentiles are represented as rejoicing among the Jews. Once again in Psalms 117:1 the acceptance of the Gentiles is stated. The joy they have in this acceptance is described. The inference is obvious: Christ has accepted all; do you then accept one another.

The final word on the subject is given by Isaiah. The root out of Jesse was to be exalted at God's right hand for the purpose of ruling the world. All in the world who accept his rule shall find salvation. This is for both Jew and Gentile. The point still carries of mutual acceptance of one another.