Romans Chapter 15

This chapter is about the horizontal part of the Cross, loving others. It must be known and always remembered that it is not a sin to either eat or not eat meat versus being a vegan or vegetarian; it is a sin to do it or not do it in a manner that makes one be a stumblingblock to a weak believer, or to judge another person's food eating habits. Jesus spread His arms out to die for us. We need to do the same to help others.

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

• Spiritually strong people need to hold up spiritually weak ones, weak in knowledge of the word, weak in faith
• Anything else is self-ish
• If it is us eating, we can eat it elsewhere, we can not eat it then, but at some other time, and eat something else right there and then
• If it is them eating, we can be silent so as to not make them stumble into legalism, or say it later on when they are ready, whatever the situation warrants
• We ought to help others over pleasing ourselves, in putting others first

(Romans 15:2)
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

• Paul here is saying that our number one consideration for our behavior toward others is their edification, not our personal feelings, desires, goals, aims, etc.
• This only applies to those things not specifically mentioned in Scripture, plus any non-essentials.
• For instance, things like going to the movies, what clothes to wear, what to eat, where to buy a house, whether to dance, etc.
• Things not included, for instance, lying, murder, stealing, defrauding another, adultery, rape, arson, etc.
• A repeat..it is not about us, but others
• "Love your neighbor as you do indeed love yourself
• There is all of the law and the prophets
• The entire attitude is summed up beautifully in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22:

(1 Corinthians 9:20)
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

(Romans 15:3)
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

• You try being God (good, Holy, righteous, perfect), coming down from Heaven to this wicked earth, hanging out with mankind (wicked) for over thirty years, including twelve disciples from Israel who did not know who you really were until after the Resurrection
• Then try willingly allowing yourself to be crucified as an innocent man, who would die for the sins of others, only you will pay for no one's sins, not even your own
• Jesus did this and paid for everyone else's sins and not His own!
• This is a quote from Psalm 69:9
• This was also quoted by Jesus when He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers in the temple.

(Psalms 69:9)
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

(John 2:12-17)
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

(Romans 15:4)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

• The entire Old Testament needs to be studied as well as the New Testament, in order to understand the New Testament
• While we Gentiles did not get the promises, we got the practical lessons from their lives recorded in it for our own lives, to know how to live in faith
• They were written for our learning, our use, to see how the patriarchs were patient and comforted by them< /li>
• There is an old saying that says, "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed
• "Through patience and comfort of the Scriptures"....have patience, read it, let it be a comfort to you, as they give you hope
• They lived only through unfulfilled promises made to themselves which were fulfilled long after they themselves died

(Hebrews 11:39)
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

(1 Corinthians 10:11)
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

(Romans 15:5)
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

• The Word of God grants us patience and comfort, as the Author, God, does.
• The only way to be likeminded is to understand the Scriptures in their context, without bias, as written, without allegory (unless obvious and unavoidable, such as a parable or symbol) and studying all verses in their proper context
• Another stumblingblock to being likeminded is people having and reading different "Bible versions", over 200, which separate us
• The phrase "according to Christ Jesus" means that it is God's Will for us to be likeminded.

(Romans 15:6)
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• This is agreement and clarity with Romans ten, verses nine through ten, like a parallel passage. There it was the Gospel, but now the same practice is for unity in the body of Christ
• This likemindedness cannot occur and does not occur when people privately interpret the Scriptures, rather than believing them according to how they arae written, without interpretation

(2 Peter 1:20)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

(Romans 10:9)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 15:7)
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

• Christ received us unconditionally, in love and through the ultimate sacrifice to the glory of God
• We do not even have to endure "the ultimate sacrifice" to receive one another
• Therefore, likewise, we should receive one another in the same manner to the glory of God
• Christ received us when we were not worthy, so we should do the same for the brethren who are, like us, not worthy

(Romans 15:8)
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:

• Jesus was a Jew (the circumcision), who was and came for the truth of God's Word, to fulfill Old Testament written Jewish prophecy.
• All of the Jewish patriarchs from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and onward were given these promises

(Romans 15:9)
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.

• Another purpose is that the Gentiles might be saved through Paul's ministry so that now, for 2,000 years, we have the Church
• This is an Old Testament quote from David after God saved him from his enemies, including Saul

(2 Samuel 22:50)
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

(Psalms 18:49)
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

(Romans 15:10-11)
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

• This is a quote from Deuteronomy 32:43
• This is a pattern here of quoting himself and the Old Testament alike, again showing the comfort and patience as a reward of studying the Old Testament
• This is not to say that Gentiles are not God's people-we are. Simply put, we were not God's people, and now are.
• Paul said this in chapter nine as a quote from Hosea
• This is the end-all of "to the glory of God" spoken of throughout here

(Deuteronomy 32:43)
Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

(Romans 9:25)
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

(Romans 15:12)
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.

• Jesse was David's father, David being in the royal line for the Messiah, promised a throne and a kingdom forever
• David was often called ""the Son of Jesse"
• Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah
• The "ROOT" of Jesse is responsible for creating Jesse, the God Man, the LORD Jesus Christ
• David is the offspring of Jesse, being a son
• Jesus Christ is a descendant (only in the fleshly realm) of David, so an offspring of Jesse and a root of Jesse, BECAUSE Jesus is the I AM of Scripture (Revelation 22:16)

JESSE: FATHER OF DAVID, STARTER OF MESSIANIC LINE

(Ruth 4:22)
And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

(1 Samuel 17:12)
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

(1 Samuel 17:58)
And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

(1 Samuel 16:1)
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

(1 Chronicles 29:26)
Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

(Revelation 22:16)
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

(Romans 15:13)
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.

• In the middle of the dissertation, a spontaneous outburst of prayer for those at Rome
• God is the God of Hope
• Joy and peace "in believing" which is the only way to have true joy and hope
• God the Father and God the Spirit (Holy Ghost) in one verse here

(Romans 15:14)
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.

• This has to be a "reputational" thing, since Paul stated in Romans one he longed to go there, and so had not been yet.

• Goodness = faith, belief in Jesus Christ as Messiah = Salvation

  Knowledge = study of the Scriptures= Sanctification

  Wisdom to know right from wrong = Admonition

(Romans 15:15-16)
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, 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.

• Grace comes from God alone
• Grace allowed Paul to be a minister of Grace (the Gospel)
• Grace allowed Paul to be bold
• Being bold meant putting them in the forefront of his thinking (mind), concentrating on them, praying for them
• The offering up of the Gentiles is a spiritual one, as we never had a temple and an altar for sacrifices to God as the Jews did
• That offering is ourselves, our prayers, our devotions, our service to God and others, being led by the Spirit of God

(Romans 15:17)
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

• The reason Paul could glory as well as anyone could glory in anything is "through Jesus Christ"
• The things to glory about are only those things "which pertain to God"
• When we brag, boast or glory in ourselves and talk about our achievements, talents, we dishonor God and look like the world, who thinks we look like fools

(Romans 15:18)
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,

• Paul would not dare boast of things he did on his own, and why not? He persecuted Christians
• And yet, sometimes Christians boast about their B.C. days, not as a testimony of how far God has brought them, but rather to control conversations, orate, pontificate and bring attention and glory to themselves.
• If Paul the apostle would not dare, then we should not either
• To be obedient "by word and deed" means having the word (of God) to know how to the deed

(Romans 15:19)
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.

• Again, these glorying here are all about the Holy Ghost's doings, not Paul's.
• Illyricum is near Macedonia, Asia Minor, today Yugoslavia in the Balkans peninsula, Croatia, Dalmatia, Adriatic Sea today
• Paul's Gospel was the Gospel of Christ, as there is no other

(Romans 2:16)
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

(Romans 16:25)
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

(2 Timothy 2:8)
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

(Romans 15:20)
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

• When there is a saturation of preachers and people are already saved, it is fruitless
• It was not about Paul, it was about getting the lost saved

(Romans 15:21)
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

• Rather Paul was called and went to preach to virgin ears, fertile ground, where it had not been preached before
• There was no more fertile ground than Gentile peoples, Gentiles hearts, eyes and ears
• Since this was God's timing, the belief and salvation would come to the Gentiles for the first time-THE CHURCH AGE

(Isaiah 52:15)
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

(Romans 15:22)
For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

• The delay in the earthly, fleshly realm was that there was ministry elsewhere, a lot of it, that had to be done
• If it had to be done, Paul was doing it
• He mentioned this in chapter one of this epistle to the Romans

(Romans 1:13)
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

(Romans 15:23)
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

• His work there was finished, he had planted and nourished up the churches, discipled them, encouraged them, raised up leaders to make them self-sustaining
• The mission to Macedonia was a large endeavor, a huge work

PAUL'S WORK IN MACEDONIA: ACTS

(Acts 16:9)
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

(Acts 16:10)
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

(Acts 16:12)
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

(Acts 18:5)
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

(Acts 19:21)
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

(Acts 19:22)
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

(Acts 19:29)
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

(Acts 20:1)
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

(Acts 20:3)
And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia

(Acts 27:2)
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

(Romans 15:24-25)
Whensoever 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. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

• Italy is between Israel and Spain, so heading east he would be able to stop there on the way
• Paul knows he will GET a blessing, as much as his epistle is GIVING a blessing
• It is all in the timing

(Romans 15:26)
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

• This is the reason he must go. The Christians were being persecuted and some, therefore, were in need of financial assistance
• This giving was also done by the Galatians and Corinthians, according to Paul's instructions, being weekly collected
• The Macedonians themselves were not even wealthy people and they gave
• This is the "others" part of the Cross mentioned at the beginning

(1 Corinthians 16:1-3)
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

(2 Corinthians 8:1-2)
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

(Romans 15:27)
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.

• Ministry is in two parts: Feed them real food and feed them spiritual food. Give them the fleshly, carnal, bodily needs, give them the spiritual needs
• James spoke about this in his "show me thy faith and I will show thee my works" dissertation

(James 2:14-17)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

PARTA'KE, v.i. pret. partook; pp. partaken. [part and take.]

1. To take a part, portion or share in common with others; to have a share or part; to participate; usually followed by of, sometimes less properly by in. All men partake of the common bounties of Providence. Clodius was at the feast,but could not partake of the enjoyments.
2. To have something of the property, nature, claim or right.
   The attorney of the duchy of Lancaster partakes partly of a judge, and partly of an attorney general.
3. To be admitted; not to be excluded.

PARTA'KE, v.t. To have a part in; to share.
My royal father lives; Let every one partake the general joy.
[This is probably elliptical, of being omitted.]

1. To admit to a part. [Not used.]

(Romans 15:28)
When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

• Again, this trip will be from Jerusalem, to Rome, then on eastward into Spain
• Paul was all about scheduling, order, management
• In their action of their generosity was the spiritual fruit
• They had to entrust their money to Paul to bring it, so his level of trust with them must have been high, as he would leave on a boat, perhaps never to be seen again, perhaps so
• This was actual money they were giving, not food and other provisions, which would spoil and not make it, unless hard goods like clothing, etc.

(Romans 15:29)
And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

• He is not coming in the fullness of a money bag, but with spiritual blessings
• This fullness of the blessing is also meaning he is being specifically sent directly to them, on the time appointed, by whom he will be appointed
• in another context, fellowship gatherings, speaking of sign gifts, Paul wanted all things done "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40)

(1 Corinthians 14:40)
Let all things be done decently and in order.

(Romans 15:30)
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;

• This is yet another Trinity verse, with the LORD Jesus Christ, the Spirit, and God (the Father)
• Every action is to be bathed in prayer, for safe passage, a good collection for the saints, ministry, open hearts, all things
• To "beseech" is a plea for prayer, the type of prayer called "supplication" in this context, as he has a need, coming up

BESEE'CH, v.t. pret. and pp.besought. To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person; as, "I Paul beseech you by the meekness of Christ,", 2 Cor 10; or by a thing; as, I beseech your patience.

(Romans 15:31)
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;

• To be delivered from the unbelievers is very literal, they tried to kill him many times!
• For all that Paul had gone through and would again, he definitely needed prayer
• If the Apostle Paul needed prayer, then so do we. We should never be too shy or proud to ask for prayer-we all need it
• If he was going to minister, then it had to be accepted by open hearts, another `need for prayer. This was a prayer for them in Jerusalem, not Paul

THE PERSECUTION OF PAUL BY UNBELIEVERS

(Acts 9:23-25)
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

(2 Corinthians 11:22-28)
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

(2 Corinthians 6:4-6)
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

(Romans 15:32)
That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

• Joy, refreshing spirits, fellowship
• Whether the "with you" being refreshed was about them needing it also, or him being with them would be refreshing, the mutual refreshing was in fellowship, prayer, careful study, food-being together

(Romans 15:33)
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

• The God of peace.....appropriate use of words now that there will be persecution......prayer...joy........refreshing....fellowship
• Without the God of peace their lives and ours on earth would be and will be hard.
• We need God...........the God of peace, the Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.