Romans
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Romans 15
Romans 15
1Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Commentary · verse 1
2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.
3For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.
2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Paul used Christ as the example of leadership in that Christ did nothing for His own immediate benefit. Then Paul supported this with Psalm 69:9.
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Commentary · verse 4
The scriptures were written that we might have hope (faith). Paul blatantly gave the reason he consistently referenced scripture after presenting his premises: the scriptures were written for our learning.
5Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: 6that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentary · verses 5-6
We ought to be a body that is of one accord (like-minded; in agreement) so that we can glorify God. In light of everything we have read, this can be restated as: we ought to think well of each other so that we all together can think well of God.
7Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.
8For 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, 9and 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.
7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9And 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.
Commentary · verses 7-9
Paul's premise: Christ confined His ministry to the Jews (circumcision) that He fulfilled the scriptures, not only that He confirmed the promises made to the Jews but that the Gentiles would receive Salvation. The Gentiles would recognize God's value to the point of praising Him: they would glorify Him as a result of recognizing His glory. Paul referenced Psalm 18:49.
10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
Commentary · verse 10
Paul referenced Deuteronomy 32:43.
11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; And let all the peoples praise him.
11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
Commentary · verse 11
Paul referenced Psalm 117:1.
12And 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.
12And 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.
Commentary · verse 12
Paul referenced Isaiah 11:1. All of this was to support the premise that Christ ministered to the Jews and the Gentiles were eventually reached. This concluded Paul's teaching which was to present the fundamentals of Salvation and assure everyone that Salvation was available to all: both Jews and Gentiles depending on how they chose to think about God and have it reflect in their actions.
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
13Now 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.
Commentary · verse 13
We abound (overflow, grow) in hope (faith) through the power of the Holy Spirit.
14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Commentary · verse 14
Admonishing is different than judging. It is an attempt to make one aware of their behavior so it can be changed. It is not trying to equal out Justice (judging). Admonishing is an act of love.
15But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God, 16that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16That 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.
Commentary · verses 15-16
Paul spoke about the focus of his ministry being the Gentiles. We saw this focus on the Gentiles began in Acts 18:6 during Paul's second missionary journey.
17I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18For 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,
Commentary · verses 17-18
Paul dared not to speak anything that was not by grace. Paul only wanted what he spoke and did to be Christ through him. This was grace, "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life."
19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; 20yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; 21but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.
19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
Commentary · verses 19-21
Paul referenced Isaiah 52:15 to show that everyone will have an opportunity to choose whether they want to humble themselves and accept justification by faith.
22Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you: 23but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you, 24whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)—
22For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24Whensoever 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.
Commentary · verses 22-24
Paul intended on going to Spain. There was no account in the New Testament that Paul ever made it to Spain. In fact, it looked as if Paul was hindered from making it to Spain by his incarceration in Rome.
25but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.
25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Commentary · verse 25
This letter was written during Paul's third missionary journey: Acts 20:1-6.
26For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem.
27Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain.
26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27It 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.
28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
Commentary · verses 26-28
Paul had planned on stopping in Rome on his way to Spain.
29And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.
30Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
29And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30Now 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;
Commentary · verses 29-30
Paul asked for prayer.
31that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judæa, and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.
31That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Commentary · verses 31-32
Paul was specific with his requests for prayer.
33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Commentary · verse 33
Theme of Chapter 15: Paul concluded his teaching where he began it. Paul presented the fundamentals of Salvation and assured everyone that through faith in Jesus Salvation was available to all: both Jews and Gentiles.
Doctrine: Leaders bear pain, Leaders do not inflict pain. Leaders facilitate the purpose and progress of others, not themselves. This would be an effect of thinking well of others, which would be an effect of thinking well of God.