Written for our Instruction
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Well, we are in the last two chapters of the book of Romans. The beginning part of chapter 15 really is tied into chapter 14 (going through the first 13 verses), before the Apostle Paul starts to wind down his letter to the church in Rome. This week we will look at the first six verses of Romans 15 and next Sunday we will be looking at verses 7-13.
Romans 15:1-2
Romans 15:1-2
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
English Standard Version Chapter 15
15 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
The Apostle Paul begins or more likely ends his teaching from the beginning of chapter 14 here. It is more of a conclusion to his thoughts.
We who are strong/mature have an obligation/ owe a debt (is the term in Greek). It is translated as owe/should/duty many times in our English translations.
To bear (to lift up, to carry a weight).
When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
Used of Paul being carried by the soliders.
Romans: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Regard for Others
to bear the weaknesses of fellow believers is not simply to tolerate those weaknesses but to help carry them—by not being critical or condescending and by showing respect for sincere views or practices that we may not agree with.
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Rather than pleasing ourselves we are looking out for others.
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).
Let us please / accommodate/make happy/help our neighbors for their good. For their edification or to build them up.
This goes back to Romans 13 and 14. Loving our enemies, loving our neighbor, loving our brothers and sisters in the faith.
How are we building up one another?
Romans 15:3
Romans 15:3
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
English Standard Version Chapter 15
3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Paul goes on in verse 3 and talks about the example of Christ. Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9
Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
Remember we referenced Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ’s desire was to serve the Father.
Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Christ is our ultimate example. The reproach of God fell on the Son. By His stripes we are healed.
Romans 15:4
Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
English Standard Version Chapter 15
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.
I love verse 4. The Apostle Paul is refereencing the Old Testament (the Bible, their Bible).
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 11 (Hall of Faith)
The Scriptures were wrriten before for our learning for our instruction.
Romans: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Submission to Scripture
They were written for the times in which they were recorded but also for our instruction, for God’s people in the present age.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
While Paul is referencing the Old Testament. The whole Canon of Scripture is now recorded for our instruction. Both Old and New Testament show us a lot of mistakes and pitfalls.
Example of Judges from West Corners with Mrs. Wolf
Romans 15:5-6
Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version Chapter 15
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.
patience/endurance and comfort/encouragement
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 15
Paul urges the strong and the weak (see notes on 14:1–12), despite their differing views on these non-essential issues, to pursue loving, spiritual harmony in regard to matters on which the Bible is silent.
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 15
Our unity should be both real (one mind) and apparent (one mouth). But the consummate purpose of unity is not to please other believers but to glorify God. God and Father. This expression emphasizes the deity of Christ. Jesus is not an adopted son of God; He is of the same essential being and nature as God.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 15:7
Romans 15:7
Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
English Standard Version Chapter 15
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Conclusion
Conclusion