"Pleasing Others"

In fulfillment of Psalm 69:9(b), Christ accepted the insults/abuse/contempt towards God - “For zeal for your house has consumed me” Psalm 69:9(a). [Also in John 2:17 (Jesus Cleanses the Temple) as an example of Christ opposing those who would crucify Him in opposition to God (John 2:13–17).]

In general, Christ gave up His life according to the will of the Father and according to the needs of those He died for.

“But what is the import of, “He pleased not Himself?” He had power not to have been reproached, power not to have suffered what He did suffer, had He been minded to look to His own things. But yet He was not so minded. But through looking to our good He neglected His own.” John Chrysostom, “Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans,” in Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. J. B. Morris, W. H. Simcox, and George B. Stevens, vol. 11, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889), 536.

This is a summary statement of Philippians 2:6–8 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Paul followed this example (1 Corinthians 10:33–11:1 “just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”).

Considering Christ’s great sacrifice, we can make some small sacrifices.

The encouragement of Scripture (v. 4)

We know what Paul is referring to in the first half of the this verse with the word “Scripture”...

And, why he quoted scripture in v. 3. “Scripture” - the written revelation of God.

“Instruction” - teaching, learning. Which is fleshed out in application.

“Endurance”/perseverance in doing right is interconnected with “encouragement”/comfort and exhortation of God’s written Word.

Which in turn will stir our “hope”/expectations in Christ.

Maybe this is one of the reasons you’re not hopeful - you’re not being encouraged by the Scripture enough. There’s always plenty to discourage you…but there is even more than enough Scripture to encourage you.

How can we do it? (vv. 5-6)

Notice the grand goal “to live...”

“Harmony” - same or one mind - thinking, leaning, choosing, wanting, interests, affections, attitudes, etc.

Possible because of our union with and in Christ.

The result - one God-glorifying, Christ-exalting proclamation.

How can we accomplish it? “May the God...” (v. 5)

True endurance and encouragement belong to God.

He must “grant”/give them. So we must seek His help.

If we want what God gives, we should pursue it in the ways that He gives it - prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

“These verses are not directly in the form of prayer addressed to God. They are in the form of a wish addressed to men that God would accomplish in them the implied exhortation, an eloquent way of doing two things at the same time, exhortation to men and prayer to God.” John Murray, The Epistle to the Romans, vol. 2, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1968), 200.

Spiritually Mindful of Others

We are naturally mindful of ourselves.

We must become spiritually mindful of others.

Benediction: Romans 16:25–27 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”