CONCLUDING ADMONITIONS TO STRONG BRETHREN (1-13)

Introduction:

Last week we continued with our topic of the weaker and stronger brothers with further admonitions to strong brethren in verses 14-23 of chapter 14. We will see as we start chapter 15, that Paul continues with this topic, but brings it to a close with concluding admonitions to strong brethren in chapter 15, verses 1-13.

Text: Romans 15:1-13

Romans 15:1–13 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

A. BEAR WITH THE SCRUPLES OF THE WEAK (1-6)

1. Try to please your brethren, as Christ did (1-3)

(1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves

Strong (dunatos) - powerful or capable (in faith)

Bear (bastazo [Pre, Act, Inf]) - to endure patiently, not to contend with

please (aresko [Pres; Act; Inf]) - to give pleasure to

(2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up

please (aresko [Pres; Act; Inf]) - same as verse 1

for his good - the qualifier

to build him up - the purpose

(3) For (explanation why) Christ did not please himself – Our example; standard

it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me. - sited from Ps. 69:9 “9 For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.”

2. With help from God and Scripture, be patient, so you may together glorify God (4-6)

(4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

for our instruction - the purpose

The result

Endurance (hupomone; noun) - steadfastness, constancy; power to withstand hardships

Encouragement (paraklesis - a calling near, summons) of the Scriptures - same root as comforter (parakletos), used of the Holy Spirit, but here used of the scriptures.

Hope (elpis) - joyful and confident expectation

(5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

live in such harmony (phroneo - [pre, act, inf) - to be of the same mind i.e.agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious

in accord with Christ Jesus - again note to object of our harmony

(6) that (purpose) together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

with one voice glorify the God - the ultimate outcome

B. RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER (7-12)

1. As Christ received us, to the glory of God (7)

(7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

welcome (proslambano - [Pres, Mid, Imp]) one another - to take as one’s companion. Note that Paul ends where he started in 14:1.

as Christ has welcomed you – again, the standard and object of our welcoming

2. As Christ served Jews and Gentiles, in fulfillment of prophecy (8-12)

Jesus Christ, the messiah fulfilled his purpose in two ways:

To the Jews (8) For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs

For (further explanation)...Christ (heb.: messiah) became a servant (diakonos) to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness - God’s promise through the patriarchs was fulfilled in Christ

To the Gentiles (9) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

This fulfillment was prophesied in the Old Testament:

(9) Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles - from 2 Sam 22:50 “50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.” , and Ps 18:49 “49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.”

(10) Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people. - from Deut 32:43 “43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.””

(11) Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him. - from Ps 117:1 “1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!”

(12) The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope - from Isa 11:10 “10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.”

C. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THEM (13)

1. That God might fill them with all joy and peace in believing (13a)

(13a) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

God of hope (elpis - confident expectation) - The God who inspires, or produces the Christian hope

Fill (pleroo) - to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

Joy (chara) and Peace (eirene) – Related to one another in that Joy is an inner contentment that results in peace.

in believing – what produces Joy and Peace

2. That they might abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (13b)

(13b) so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

so that - the purpose

by the power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit - the source of our power

abound (perisseuo) - to exceed a fixed number of measure

in hope - confidence in all that God is doing, allowing us to live without fear and anxiety.