Romans 15b

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: When Christians Disagree (Romans 14:1–15:7)

A person’s spiritual maturity is revealed some ways by by spiritual discernment. He or she knows when it is appropriate to give up their rights so someone else might be helped. This is done, not as a burden, but as a privelege or blessing. Just as good parents make sacrifices for their children, so the mature believer sacrifices to help younger Christians grow in the faith.

Sooo how do we get more discernment at this point in our lives? How are we to grow in maturity? I will give you 3 helpful concepts to grow in this direction

1]growing in the Fruit of the Spirit -

Gal 5:22-23Galatians 5:22–6:1 (NKJV)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 

1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

A legalist might avoid sins like adultery or murder, but without the beautiful graces of the Spirit, this "negative goodness" is insufficient. A life must exhibit positive spiritual qualities (or fruit).

The distinction between "works" and "fruit" is crucial. Works are characterized by effort, labor, strain, and toil, much like a factory machine producing a product. In contrast, "fruit" signifies beauty, quietness, and the natural unfolding of the Spirit's life. While the flesh produces "dead works," the Spirit yields living fruit, which contains the seed for continuous multiplication (e.g., love begets more love, joy produces more joy).

Jesus desires believers to produce "fruit...more fruit...much fruit," as this is the way to glorify Him. The old nature cannot produce fruit; only the new nature can do that.

2]growing in Discernment -

Hebrews 5:14Hebrews 5:14–6:1 (NKJV)

14] But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

15] Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,\

So, you might leave a Bible study, saying, “That was sure a long study,”—but if you’re walking, serving, or growing in the Lord, you’ll be back for more on Sunday, because you desire to be taught God’s ways

3]growing in serving others -

Mark 10:45Mark 10:45 (NKJV)

45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Like many people today, the disciples were making the mistake of following the wrong examples. Instead of modeling themselves after Jesus, they were admiring the glory and authority of the Roman rulers, men who loved position and authority. While there is nothing wrong with aspiring to greatness, we must be careful how we define “greatness” and why we want to achieve it. Jesus said,

(Mark 10:43).

“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all” God’s pattern in Scripture is that a person must first be a servant before God promotes him or her to be a ruler. This was true of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Timothy, Ruth, and even our Lord Jesus!

(Phil. 2:1–11)Philippians 2:1–4 (NKJV)

1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 

2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 

3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others..

Unless we know how to obey orders, we do not have the right to give orders. Before a person exercises authority, he or she must know what it means to be under authority. If Jesus Christ followed this pattern in accomplishing the great work of redemption, then surely there is no other pattern for us to follow.

Romans 15:14–33 (NKJV)

14] Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 

personally satisfyed about you

youre rich in goodness

amply filled with spiritual knowledge

competent to counsel, admonish and instruct

15] Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 

on some points I am boldly reminding you, by the grace (or divine provision or calling) put on me by God

Paul is being very humble and other - centered about his exhortations in this book of the Bible. He is not lording it over the Roman Christians. I personally think this is one of the most beautiful parts of Paul’s writing. In this verse,

Paul is basically saying, "Bear with me," in a gentle way for being so upfront and bold in the teaching section. He had the sensitivity and care that some things he taught were convicting and difficult to receive! It wasn't because they were missing goodness and knowledge; actually, because they had those qualities, Paul could be so clear. How awesome is that? He gave us the book of Romans so he could lay out these important things for us. Seriously, Romans is a must-have for growing Christians. We all should try and try and understand Romans, because this book is really an anchor for our faith. Paul is being very humble and encouraging to us as believers, giving them the advice in the book of Romans: He's not trying to act like the boss over God's people.

16] that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

God made Paul me a minister of the gospel to the Gentiles

When Paul says, "I have written,"(vs 15) he's talking about this letter to the Romans. He's explaining his boldness by reminding the Romans that he is the apostle to the non-Jews (Gentiles). Based on this office, (calling, or job) which God gave him through grace, he's carrying this out by writing to the Romans his way. He's serving them. This statement adds more weight to the inspiration of Paul's writings. He uses language from the teachings of othe Old Testament to minister the gospel.

The non-Jews are "acceptable"—without needing the Law or any religion— through Christ, as Paul taught.

"Sanctified"vs 16—the Holy Spirit moved into the non-Jewish believers, starting with Cornelius Acts 10-11. The Holy Spirit's sanctifying work begins for both Jew and Gentile the moment they are born again when the Spirit of God makes His home inside the believer. Paul gave the gospel message, but God gave the Holy Spirit when they believed. You have to remember that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles in a very real and important way.

Like a high priest, Paul presented the Gentiles, making an offering to God. It's hard for us today to fully grasp the importance of all this, and yet we, as non-Jews or gentiles, have benefited from everything this implies. Church, if you've never thanked God for the apostle Paul, ——you should - . God gave Paul to us. That's why we should study this letter to the Romans.

17]Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.

 Paul had written boldly to the Romans and seems to be kind of apologetic to the mature ones (see vs 15). He figured some of these saints in Rome probably didn't need his directions. I know, though, how much I need reminders of stuff I’ve been taught in the past

Still, he wrote to them with confidence. I don’t see any personal ego in this; he's a servant of Christ Jesus and is just doing His will. This is an important thing to grasp. One thing that should never be true of a servant of God is pride. We should never get too full of ourselves, but rather take the position that we are just serving the Lord Jesus Christ, and He's the one who is in charge.

18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—

“I’m only going to tell you what I have seen, of what the Lord has done through me by His grace.” “I won’t speak of anything that hasn’t been accomplished through me,” said Paul.

He is speaking from actual events that have happened : He says this in 2 ways: …by word… How are we to share the gospel with a world that doesn’t seem to care about Spiritual things?

—by sharing the Scriptures. You may not understand all of the implications doctrinally. You may have trouble defending the Scriptures intellectually. However, The Word is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Just start sharing the Scriptures and watch and see what the Holy Spirit does with the Word He’s given to you. …and deed… Spiritual authority and power come when we share the things we ourselves are living out. That’s why I share so much about grace. I need it, I’ve embraced it, and I’m so thankful to God for it. Grace is not a theological concept to me—it’s what I need desperately. You see, those truths which you personally in need, which you are personally thankful, in how you are personally growing, are the truths that will come alive in a very powerful and profound way as you share them with others.

19] in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 15

Regarding signs and wonders, Jesus said signs will follow those who believe (

17] And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues

18] they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” He said this in the context of evangelism - In other words, as we go out and share the gospel message with people, signs will follow.

BACK TO VERSE 19: by the power of the Spirit of God,

The Holy Spirit is like the steam in a train. He’s there to move the engine down the track—not to blow the whistle. Way too many people look at the power of the Holy Spirit as a whistle-blower, as an end in itself—but LOOK WHAT the Lord says

(Acts 1:8),

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you to be My witnesses” .

So, when people ask why we don’t see more signs and wonders these days, I say, “ Start spreading the gospel and watch what the Lord will do in you and the miracles that will flow through you.”

But even if you never see an outward sign, wonder, or miracle, you’re in good company. Jesus said out of all the men who had lived, John the Baptist was the greatest of them all. Nobody was greater—not Elijah who called down fire from heaven, not Elisha who raised the dead, not Moses who parted the Red Sea. Jesus said,

(Matthew 11:11)

“Among those born of women there hasn't been anyone greater than John the Baptist”

. And yet John THE BAPTIST didn't do any miracles . So if you've never performed a miracle or even seen one, take heart. FOR John saw no miracles and yet he testified to the powerful greatness of Jesus Christ

(see John 10:41)John 10:41 (NKJV)

41Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.”

. What Man was John the Baptist talking about? - Jesus Christ. - Talking about Jesus is something you and I can do— Yeah, I’d love to have ALL the the gifts of healing, so when I pray for someone, they will get restored every time!. That miracle happens sometimes, but for the rest of the time, I'll try to walk in the footsteps of John the Baptist, pointing others to the Lamb of God.

20] And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 

21but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” Paul's unique ministry was rooted in his desire to preach the gospel where Christ had not yet been named, thereby avoiding building upon another person's foundation. He saw this not as competition, but as a point of honor,

The Missionary's Credentials and Focus

Paul was a true pioneer, embodying the New Testament meaning of evangelist—a missionary. Unlike some preachers, he didn't rely on existing churches or groundwork laid by others. His entry into a town was often met with hostility, not a welcome from civic leaders.

In the early church, apostles needed clear credentials. Paul and Barnabas were identified by the "signs and wonders" God granted through their hands:(Acts 14:3)

“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands” .

These supernatural acts were their initial proof, as the New Testament was not yet fully written.

From Signs to Sound Doctrine

However, the defining mark of a man of God eventually shifted. By the end of his life, the Apostle John advised that correct doctrine was the critical test: 2 John 10 (NKjbv))

10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;.

Today, the identifying mark remains sound doctrine, not only "signs and wonders."

A tragic, fanatical movement is currently drawing people away with wrong and false teaching, an activity of the Devil alongside the genuine movement of the Holy Spirit. Paul carefully taught that in Romans 14 that we loooked at 2 weeks ago:

Romans14:17 Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

17] for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Jay Vernon Mcgee says It is concerning to hear of groups building their ministry on signs and wonders while neglecting learning the word and basic discipleship . True conversion brings cleansing: if the Lord enters a life, He cleans it up. A clean tongue that accurately declares the Word of God is what people truly need.

The Founder of the Roman Church

Paul's principle of only ministering where the gospel had not been preached leads to the conclusion that he was instrumental in the formation of the church in Rome. He makes this clear both in his introduction to the letter and at this point. Paul did not establish the church by a personal visit initially, but he must have led people to the Lord elsewhere in the Roman Empire who eventually settled in Rome. some of These believers, are introduced in Romans 16. the next chapter.

Paul's missionary focus

( Isaiah 52:15)Isaiah 52:15 (NKJV)

15So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.

—this was like;ly his life verse since he quoted It in Rom 15:21 which we just read. Probably Paul’s greatest joy was presenting Christ and seeing people turn to Him, saying, "I understand, brother Paul. I will accept Christ as my Savior.”

As Paul learned to apply the prophecy of Jesus in Isaiah 52:15, so should you and I. It doesn’t require special gifting to share Jesus even like John the Baptist did. I have had the privelege of sharing the gospel with guys in the Chelan County jail. It’s one of the greatest joys in my life to see someone say yes to Jesus while they are incarcerated.

we also can apply this chapter by serving one another in the Spirit. We can also be learning or continuing to learn His ways and continuing to become more discerning.

May we all become great in God’s kingdom by becoming servants of all.