Romans 15:1-11

 

Rom 15:1 (KJV)
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Paul continues the thread from the last chapter. He states that those who are strong in the faith must be the ones who help bear the infirmities of the weak. The word “infirmities” carries with it the meaning of “weaknesses.” The word “bear” carries with it the meaning of “sustain or lift up.” The verse goes on to say that we should not please ourselves. As mature Christians we should take on the responsibility of helping those weaker Christians for their growth in the faith, and we must never have selfish motives in doling out that help to the weaker in the Faith.

Rom 15:2 (KJV)
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

The word “please” carries with it the meaning of being acceptable to. Whenever we help others we are to be acceptable to them but not for selfish purposes, we need to help them to be edified which causes them to grow in the faith. The word “edification” carries with it the meaning of “building up.” Our goal for the weaker in the faith is to help build them up so they become stronger in the faith continually.

Rom 15:3 (KJV)
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

(Psa 69:9 KJV) For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. Here we have David stating that those who reproached God have also reproached him who is the representative of God being a redeemed Christian. Then the example of the Lord Jesus Christ is given to us here. He did not please Himself since He had to leave Heaven and be separated from His Father for the first time in eternity and then to die on the cross. None of that would have pleased Him but to save the Elect, this had to happen. The word “reproaches” carries with it the meaning of “reviling or disgrace.” The word “reproached” carries with it the meaning of “scolding.” The example of the Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to set aside our own rights for the purpose of others. Christ endured the accusations and railings which the unbelievers cast at Him. When the Elect were still reprobate unbelievers, He died for us not pleasing Himself. (Heb 12:2 KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The Lord Jesus despised or set aside the shame He suffered because He looked beyond that moment of suffering and looked to the joy the future would hold when all the Elect he died for was safe in Glory. We too, must have the same attitude in that we must concern ourselves with the evangelization of the lost and the discipling of those new and weaker believers.

Rom 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Here is a verse which teaches us that the body of Christ must study the Scriptures or how else are they going to know what has been written aforetime by those who faced similar circumstances in the service of the Lord. When we study these passages and the characters in those pages, we will see how God worked with them to bring them through the tough times, especially when Israel was threatened by her enemies which surrounded her. We too are surrounded by enemies. All unbelievers in this world, whether atheist or false religion, are the enemies of the saints of God. When we study the Scriptures, we will see how God protected Israel and His Elect within Israel, and by knowing how He dealt with them, we too will have hope which will manifest itself in patience and comfort through the Scriptures. The word “learning” carries with it the meaning of instruction.

Rom 15:5 (KJV)
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

The word “patience” carries with it the meaning of endurance. The word “consolation” carries with it the meaning of “encouragement.” Paul is giving a short prayer in hopes that the Roman Christians will all be likeminded toward each other. He prays for harmony among the believers in the church, especially those who are more mature and those who are weak. Both groups are equal at the cross and Paul is hoping for a harmony of the two with the view that they are all blood bought and equal in the sight of God.

Rom 15:6 (KJV)
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul wants to see the Roman Christians all have the same mind and in concert with that mind, to have the same mouth, that is, to bring glory to God by the verbal witness of the church. Paul also makes sure that we know that God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is important since there are many false gods in this world and we are being specifically told that this God we worship is God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Elect.

Rom 15:7 (KJV)
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

The words “receive” and “received” are both from the same root word which means “receive, accept, or take along.” Just as the Lord Jesus Christ accepted us to the Glory of God, then we are to accept all the true brethren in the same manner. No one is to left out who is redeemed of the Lord. By receiving each other we form a close knit brotherhood which Satan cannot tear apart.

Rom 15:8 (KJV)
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:

When the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross, he had then fulfilled all the requirements of the law of God and now those who are in Christ, are like they have kept every tenet of the law unto salvation. Not only did Christ fulfill the righteous demands of God’s Holy Law, His sacrifice also confirmed the promises made unto the fathers. The word “confirm” carries with it the meaning of “establish or guarantee.” Christ had guaranteed the fulfillment of the everlasting covenants made to Abraham and confirmed through Isaac and Jacob. Christ was also the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant where God promised that He would raise one up according to the flesh to sit on David’s throne. (Acts 2:29-30 KJV) Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. {30} Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; The promises of the eternal covenants were now sealed for all the Elect of God and not one who was named before the foundation of the world would remain lost.

Rom 15:9 (KJV)
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.

Not only did the Lord Jesus Christ fulfill the covenant that there would be a remnant of believers coming out of Israel but the church also contained the addition of the millions of Gentiles who would be added to it until the last day. The Lord stated that Hell will not prevail against His church. When we look at the time of Christ the Gospel was confined to only Israel but now in the twenty first century, it is all over the world. There is not one country in this world where there is no Gospel witness. (Psa 18:49 KJV) Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Rom 15:10 (KJV)
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

(Deu 32:43 KJV) 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. All the way back in the book of Deuteronomy we read a prophecy of the Gospel going worldwide. Why would all the nations rejoice unless there was a Gospel witness going forth in those lands. We read that God is going to be merciful to His people. The mercy of God is reserved for the Elect of God.

Rom 15:11 (KJV)
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

(Psa 117:1 KJV) O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. Once again we are reminded that we are to praise the Lord. The redeemed of God are a joyful, singing people. The word “laud” carries with it the meaning of “to praise, approve, or to applaud.”