Romans 15

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

• If we feel honestly that some behavior is not sinful for us, yet it offends someone who is weak in faith, it would be better for us to forgo the pleasure, as it says in the next verse.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

• Let's work together to build others up..to strengthen them in the Lord.

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

• He sacrificed all..He died for us, so let nothing that we do heap reproaches upon Him.

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

• Hope of eternal life.
• And it came to pass exactly as it was written.
• Christ came and died for our sins, proving beyond a shadow of doubt that the word of God is true, and this gives us positive hope is true, and this gives us positive hope the eternity.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Or, verse 5, let there be harmony among us as to Christ's teaching, so we may, verse 6, together glorify God.
• Note here God's patience is stressed.
• We are to be patient in our teaching, so we may all reach a total harmony.

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

• Again, referring to patience.

8 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:

• Paul is saying, Christ was a minister to true Israel, thus confirming the promises made to Abraham.

9 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 was Christ come to save Israel, but also after His death to save the Gentile.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

• Read Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice for what?
• Because they also could partake of the eternity.
• Also read Psalm 117:1

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

• Not part, but all ye people.

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

• Esaias in Greek means Isaiah
• So we see the purpose here, and also that it was fore written.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

• The spirit of Jesus Christ working through Paul and other apostles gave them the belief in Christ that they might be filled with the hope of eternal life through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

• Or, teach one another, to assure one another, to build each other up.

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

• Paul's mission was to teach the Gentiles of the opportunity for eternal life.
• He's writing to the Romans.

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

• I'm very proud of the things, I've been able to do through Christ for you all.

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

• I wouldn't dare speak other than Christ has instructed.

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

• In all instances and in all places, Paul says, he has taught the truth and the full gospel.
• Paul was sent to: the children of Israel the Gentiles and to the rulers, even the Kenites of the Sanhedrin.

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

• I strive to go to new places, where there is no church and people have not heard His name.

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

• Paul was a missionary to the fullest.

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

• His missionary work had delayed his getting to Rome.

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

• My work is finished here, and soon I'll come to you.

24 When so ever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

• Or, I'm looking forward to seeing you and then afterwards, I'll go on.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

• The saints being the elect.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

• The converts in Macedonia and Achaia have sent money to the saints in Jerusalem, who are poor.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

• The elect went to the Gentiles and shared the truth with them, so Paul says, it's only right that they should reciprocate by sharing with the elect.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

• When I've delivered this contribution, I'll be along.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

• I'm sure when I come, Christ will send me with a great blessing for you.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

• Pray for me that these things may be accomplished.

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

• Paul was going back to that place that was taken over by the Kenites.

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

• He was looking forward to the fellowship he hoped to share with them.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

 

•  The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

 

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25