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.

'For' -and here is why Paul quotes from the O.T. 'Paul could have easily presented evidence for the preceding point (that Christ pleased not himself) from many actual examples in the life of Jesus. But instead he made use of an O.T. passage and thereby taught. most important lesson.' (Green p. 14)

'whatsoever' -not only this Scripture (Psalms 69:9), but all others, 'whatever else was written down too!'

Points to Note:

1. 'This passage clearly implies the accuracy in the transmission of the O.T. Paul takes for granted that the Scriptures have been handed down to us so accurately that we can rely on what we read.' (McGuiggan p. 412). corrupted Bible, wouldn't be able to teach us anything for sure about anything!

2. Everything that was recorded, was recorded for. definite purpose. To teach. specific lesson. Hence all the examples and events that compose the O.T. have. relevant lesson for all time. (1 Corinthians 10:1)

3. Scripture always has. broader application than to just those that lived during the event recorded. (Deuteronomy 6:6; Exodus 2:14 ff) Likewise, the N.T. letters were intended for. wider audience than just those that first received them. (Colossians 4:16)

4. Nothing is in the Bible by accident. (2 Peter 1:20) 'Get your concordance and see for yourself how often Bible writers talk about their commission "to write".' (McGuiggan p. 412)

5. The God of the O.T. is the same as the God of the N.T. God still feels the same way about rebellion and disobedience to His commands. (1 Corinthians 10:1)

6. 'Since "whatsoever" things written were written for our learning it's clear that God teaches us by bad example as well as good. The unsavory elements in the lives of Abraham, Lot, Jacob, David and others were written so that we would learn to avoid what they didn't avoid. In fact, this is what Paul explicitly said in 1 Corinthians 10:6)' (McGuiggan p. 413)

7. The person that claims that the O.T. is merely. collection of myths, stories and fables doesn't have the support of Jesus or the apostles for such. view. (Matthew 22:31)

8. Never let anyone convince you that studying the O.T. or preaching from it consititutes an unprofitable exercise or. waste of time.

'that through patience' -'patient endurance and through the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures, we might hold fast to our hope.' (TCNT) 'It is that brave, steady "remaining under"..' (Lenski p. 861)

'Patience is courageously staying in the battle under adverse circumstances. It isn't resignation, it is. choosing to remain under in times of affliction;. refusing to back off. It doesn't wait grimly for the end but grasps life and makes it serve its purpose.' (McGuiggan p. 413)

'and through comfort of the Scriptures' -'from that study of Scripture the Christian draws encouragement...it gives us the record of God's dealings with. nation. a record which is the demonstration that it is always better to be right with God and to suffer, than to be wrong with men and to avoid trouble...it gives us the great and precious promises of God...promises of. God who never breaks His word.' (Barclay p. 214) From the Scriptures we learn that it always works out well, in the final end for those that hold on to God. (James 5:10)

'Comfort' -3874. paraklesis par-ak'-lay-sis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace: -comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.

'A comforter..was someone called in to help. Not just to commiserate with but to encourage and strengthen...."Comfort" usually conjures up. welter of tears and someone gently empathizing with the weeping one. And that's nice. And that's legitimate. But comfort came from "fortis" (strength) and to comfort meant also to give strength to. It is to "encourage" (to put courage in).' (McGuiggan p. 413)

The Scriptures give us. tremendous amount of good reasons to hang in there. Just about the time we are tempted to think that nobody is serious about serving God anymore, we are reminded of Elijah's miscalculation. Just about the time we start thinking that non-Christians enjoy. happier life than Christians, we are reminded of Psalms 73:1. Just about the time we start thinking that our nation has been completely taken over by humanists, we are reminded that God is still in control (the book of Daniel).