Romans 15
Seven Principles and a Prayer: Romans 15:1-6
Introduction
The apostle continues to set forth
the obligation of the strong believer toward the weak. Paul has been saying
that the weak believer is to be readily received in the fellowship of the local
congregation. (Romans 14:1)
He has argued that special care
should be shown toward those who are concerned about questionable non-essential
elements of the faith lest peripheral issues overshadow the greater truths of
the Christian life. As a strong believer himself, Paul is very sensitive about
the weak brethren, in part, because there are always so many of them.
Of course, the reception of the
weak brethren into spiritual fellowship must not be construed to mean that they
are never be challenged to mature and grow in the
grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Growing in gospel grace will lead
every believer to enjoy the religious liberties that faith brings. So the weak
brethren should be challenged. There is grave danger in showing too much
leniency toward those who are weak in understanding the gospel to the point
that they become harmful to themselves and to others—as far as truth is
concerned.
To confirm a person in legalism
and prejudices is something that the Savior never did.
Time after time the Lord arrested erroneous thinking,
but He always confronted individuals at the proper time. (Luke 14:16)
The proper time for righteous
confrontation is when a particular situation demands that something be said or
done that more accurately conforms to the perfect will of God.
This method of patiently waiting
for a precise moment to teach a spiritual subject is in contrast to creating an
environment of confrontation with leading questions guaranteed to create a
debate among the brethren. That simply must not be done. (Romans 14:1) The
strong believers are not to create a false standard of conduct for the weak
believer or to engage in theological arguments that are of no profit.
In context, Paul does not seem to
worry about the weak believer taking advantage of the strong believer as he
does the reverse. Therefore, the apostle has set down point after point to
establish the principles to guide the conduct of the strong believer toward the
weak. By way of summary review seven great principles may be restated.
· The strong believer is to gently
and graciously receive the weak believer who is concerned about questionable
matters. (Romans 14:1)
· The strong believer is not to
belittle, think harshly of, nor pass ultimate judgment upon the weak believer.
(Romans 14:3,10)
·
The strong believer is never to put before the weak believer any issue
or situation that would tempt the weak believer to violate a personal principle
and practice of faith. (Romans 14:13)
·
The strong believer is not to recklessly destroy the value system of
someone for whom Christ has died. (Romans 14:15)
·
The strong believer is to manifest a life of personal faith all the
while remembering that, If a person be convinced that a thing is contrary to
God’s law, and yet practices it, he is guilty before God, although it should be
found that the thing is lawful” (Romans,
Robert Haldane). “What so ever is not of faith
is sin.” The strong believer has a moral responsibility to bear the infirmities
of the weak believer because of the example of Christ whose steps must be
followed (Romans 15:13). According to prophecy (Psa. 69:9) the Lord Jesus was
destined to suffer reproach, and He did. By being unswerving in His loyalty to
the will of the Father, Christ attracted the hostility of those who hated God. “The
reproaches of them that reproached thee [Father] fell on me.” And a
powerful point is made: if Christ can suffer with the weak, then Christians in
the Church can certainly be long-suffering with the weak as well.
·
The strong believer is to take the leadership role in pursuing
conversations and a code of conduct that leads to peace and righteousness and
joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:19).
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,
and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good
to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The
reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
15:1-4
To find strength for gospel obedience in the showing of mercy to the weak
believer, the strong believer is to consider not only the sufferings of Christ,
but the scriptures as well. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime
were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The hope that comes from a study
of the Scriptures is a quiet confidence that a life of love, lived in
faith, while being graciousness to the weak brethren, will be rewarded. But the
Christian must go to the Scriptures to find this great hope and therein lies
one of the great tragedies of Christendom.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded
one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind [without reservation] and one mouth
glorify [praise] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:5-6 There is only one way for believers to
be of like mind and that is to comply with the Word of God, the Bible.
It is the expressed will of God the Father that the Scriptures guide the
practice of the professing saint, not modern parliamentary rulebooks of
society. Paul knows that by studying the Scriptures and following the
Savior a life of selfless love will be manifested. For such selfless love the
Paul prays. “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be
like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5).
In this apostolic prayer,
two attributes of God the Father are requested to be apparent in the lives of
all Christians.
There is the attribute of
patience, and there is the attribute of comfort. And there is a purpose for
these two attributes. As Christians learn to be patient with one another, and
exhort one another graciously, a spirit of unity will be created and a
cacophony of harmonious love will ascend to heaven.
In the throne room of God
there will be a wonderful symphony made with one mouth in praise to God, “even
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6).
“Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa. 133:1).
More Calls for Christian
Unity: Romans 15:7-13
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the
glory of God.
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:
15:7-8 Having shown that constant worship is
the basis for congregational harmony (Romans 15:6), the apostle again exhorts
the believers to receive one another. (Romans 15:7) With this exhortation the
discussion on the problem of the strong
and the weak believer (Romans
14:1-15:6) is concluded, but a wider application of the principle of
graciousness is desired. Paul is now concerned that harmony exist between Jew
and Gentile.
There is great drama
present. For the first time in history in a significant way Jewish believers
were uniting with Gentile believers to receive and honor the Lord Jesus Christ
as the eternal Son of God based upon the efficacy of His redeeming work at
Calvary. But tension was high because many Jews were struggling with their old
customs and prejudices.
After a lifetime of honoring
specific prohibitions and thinking in a negative way about a whole group of
people, it was hard to suddenly reverse habits of the heart and inbred hatred.
For conscientious Jews it was not easy to eat formerly forbidden foods.
It was not easy to give up
worship on the Sabbath. It was not easy to love historical enemies.
Nevertheless, the plan of God called for unity between Jew and Gentiles as the
Psalms, (Psa. 18:49 cf. 2 Sam. 22:50; Psa. 117:1) the Law, (Deuteronomy 32:43)
and the Prophets anticipated. (Isa. 11:1,10)
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.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud [praise] him,
all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias [Isaiah] saith, There
shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in
him shall the Gentiles trust.
15:9-12 The first quotation from Psalm 18 has
reference to the victory of David over the Gentiles whereby he is able to
confess to them the source of his power and honor the name of God in their
midst. David viewed victory on the field of battle as an opportunity to dispel
spiritual darkness and bring light to the Gentiles.
The second quotation from
Deuteronomy 32 inviting the Gentiles to share in what God had done for Israel
is also an invitation to enter into the covenant blessings of the same.
The third quotation from
Psalm 117 constitutes a messianic summons to all Gentiles to praise the Lord.
This psalm anticipated the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
The fourth quotation sets
forth the messianic prediction of the lordship of Christ over all the earth
including the Gentile nations. No wonder Paul called upon the Church of Rome to
honor the heartbeat of heaven, and to be a
harmonious part of the universal people that
Christ shall rule and reign over.
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.
15:13 Having established the scriptural and
doctrinal foundation for his practical exhortations for unity, the apostle
turns to prayer. “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 God” (Romans
15:13) What a wonderful name for the Lord, “The God of Hope”. Paul commends the believers to the God who is the
author of the gospel hope of unity, and to the One who is able to fill them
with all spiritual joy and peace so that they abound in optimism by the dynamic
power of the Holy Spirit.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are
full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish [instruct]
one another.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in
some sort [measure], as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given
to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be
acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
15:14-16 As Paul begins the lengthy process of bringing his letter to the Church of Rome to a conclusion, he says many wonderful things about the people for he does not want the believers to think that he views them as being deficient in either knowledge or Christian practice. Not at all. Rather, the apostle just wants to express confidence that those who receive his letter will understand the doctrine he has expounded and will continue to move to implement the implications of the same by personal application. Therefore, Paul praises the believers for their goodness and their ability to admonish one another to gospel duties. Finally, the apostle explains that he writes in a forceful or bold manner to them because he is simply reminding them of spiritual truths that have already been communicated.
It is this reminding of the saints of something
they had already been taught which has led some bible scholars to conclude that
the Church of Rome was founded by those who had been converted under Paul’s
ministry (and not Peter’s ministry as tradition holds).
For Paul to be the original
founder of the Church in Rome would not be too surprising for he was ordained
to be, “the minister of Jesus Christ to
the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the
Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16).
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory [rejoice] through Jesus Christ
in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ
hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum [Yugoslavia], I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was
named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see:
and they that have not heard shall understand.
15:17-22 Though once a Pharisee of the
Pharisees, Paul was quite pleased to have a specialized ministry to the
Gentiles. Because it was ordained of God he gloried in his calling. (Romans
15:17) Because it was unique, he would not labor where others had labored.
(Romans 15:20,21 cf. 1 Cor. 3:10) And so the years of imprisonment, the
physical beatings, the false arrests, and all the other hardships Paul suffered
for the Savior were nothing because they served to make, “the Gentiles obedient” to the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:18 cf.
Isa. 52:15). From Jerusalem to Yugoslavia (Illyricum) the sweet story of the
Savior was heard as a single saint went forth to spread the gospel to the ends
of the earth. Signs and wonders confirmed his ministry (Romans 15:19 cf. Acts
19:11).
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered [kept] from coming to
you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great
desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I
will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my
way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
15:
22-25 Because of his great affection for the people of Rome, Paul anticipated a
visit to the Church on his way to Spain. Up to this point his missionary labors
had prevented his going to Rome. (Note Romans 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:17,18) “But now, having no more place in these
parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to
you” (Romans 15:23,24). However, before Paul could start his journey to
Spain and be able to stop in Rome, he had to visit Jerusalem. “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister to
the saints” (Romans 15:25).
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain
contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the
Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also
to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this
fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and
for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers
to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and
that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted [welcomed] of
the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with
you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
15:
26-33 The reason Paul had to go to Jerusalem was to deliver to the Jerusalem
church a large offering that had been taken up on behalf of the saints. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and
Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at
Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26). Paul thought this was not only a good thing for the Gentile believers to
do for their Jewish brethren but the right
response for having received the gospel. (Romans 15:27) Time and again in the
course of his teaching, Paul will return to an interesting theme that material
possessions have no comparison to eternal values being communicated or partaken
of. (Romans 11:17 cf.1 Cor. 9:11)
To
Paul, it is right that those who have
ministered spiritual things be supported by those with carnal things. So, after
performing a ministry of financial mercy the apostle planed to resume his
missionary labors and go to Rome on his way to Spain. What Paul did not realize
was that God had different plans for him. Oh, Paul would go to Jerusalem. He
would turn over the money he had received for the poor. And he would leave the
city for Rome—but not the way he had planned. Paul did not know that he would
be arrested in the Holy City.
Study Guide
Questions on Romans 15
1. List six principles that
should guide the behavior of the strong believer toward the weak.
2. What is the only source God
has ordained to guide His people into a unity of the mind of Christ?
3. Is it possible that Paul
established the church of Rome. On what basis can that be supported?
4. What practical reason was
leading Paul to Rome?
5. Where was Paul’s ultimate
destiny to be if all went according to plan?
Answers to Romans 15
1. The following principles
should guide the behavior of the strong believer toward the weak.
·
The strong believer is to gently and
graciously receive the weak believer who is concerned about questionable
matters (Romans 14:1).
·
The strong believer is not to belittle,
think harshly of, nor pass ultimate judgment upon the weak believer (Romans
14:3,10).
·
The strong believer is never to put
before the weak believer any issue or situation that would tempt the weak
believer to violate a personal principle and practice of faith (Romans 14:13).
·
The strong believer is not to recklessly
destroy the value system of someone for whom Christ has died (Romans 14:15).
·
The strong believer is to manifest a life of personal faith all the
while remembering that, “if a person be convinced that a thing is contrary
to God’s law, and yet practices it, he is guilty before God, although it should
be found that the thing is lawful” (Romans, Robert Haldane).
“What so ever is not of faith is sin.”
·
The strong believer has a moral responsibility to bear the infirmities
of the weak believer because of the example of Christ whose steps must be
followed. (Romans 15:13).
2. There is only one way for
believers to be of like mind and that is to comply with the Word of God,
the Bible.
3. It is this reminding of the saints of something
they had already been taught which has led some bible scholars to conclude that
the Church of Rome was founded by those who had been converted under Paul’s
ministry (and not Peter’s ministry as tradition holds). For Paul to be the
original founder of the Church in Rome would not be too surprising for he was
ordained to be, “the minister of Jesus
Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of
the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16).
4. The practical reason Paul
had to go to Jerusalem was to deliver to the Jerusalem church a large offering
that had been taken up on behalf of the saints. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain
contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26).
5. Paul’s destiny after Rome
was Spain.
Personal Application and Reflection
1. Why is it so difficult for
those who are suppose to be “strong” in the faith have a difficult time
with those who are “weak” to the point that arguments break out and self
righteousness is displayed?
2. Are you a student of the Old
Testament as well as the New Testament in order to quote Scripture
and apply the same to your beliefs and behavior as Paul did when
establishing his theological points (Rom. 15:9-12)? If not write down some
practical steps you will take to become more knowledgeable of the Old Testament. “For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
3. What place do “signs and
wonders” have in the church (Rom. 15:19)?
4. Believing in the power of
prayer are you an effective prayer warrior before the throne of grace (Rom.
15:30)?
5. Can you share an event in
your life where you wanted to do something for the Lord and were allowed to but
in a way you never expected?