Romans Chapter 15

From The Open Bible Project

15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

• (1) Now the apostle reasons generally of tolerating or bearing with the weak by all means, in so far that it may be for their profit.
• (a) And despise others.

15:2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

• (b) For his profit and edification.

15:3 For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."[65]

• (2) A confirmation taken from the example of Christ, who suffered all things, to bring not only the weak, but also his most cruel enemies, overcoming them with patience, to his Father.

15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

• (3) The preventing of an objection: such things as are cited out of the examples of the ancients, are propounded unto us to this end and purpose, that according to the example of our fathers we should in patience and hope bear one with another.
• (c) By Moses and the prophets.
• (d) The scriptures are said to teach and comfort, because God uses them to teach and comfort his people with them.

15:5 Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,

• (4) We must take an example of patience from God: that both the weak and the strong, serving God with a mutual consent, may bring one another to God, as Christ also received us to himself, although we were ever so unworthy.

15:6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:7 Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted [66] you, [See Romans Footnotes 66] to the glory of God.

• (e) He did not shun us, but received us of his own accord, to make us partakers of God’s glory.

15:8 Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

• (5) An applying of the example of Christ to the Jews, whom he granted this honour for the promises which he made to their fathers, although they were ever so unworthy, in that he executed the office of a minister among them with marvellous patience: therefore much less ought the Gentiles despise them for certain faults, whom the Son of God esteemed so much.
• (f) Of the circumcised Jews, for as long as he lived, he never went out of their midst.
• (g) That God might be seen to be true.

15:9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."[67]

• (6) An applying of the same to the Gentiles, whom also the Lord by his incomprehensible goodness had regard for, so that they are not to be condemned by the Jews as strangers.
• (h) I will openly confess and set forth your name.

15:10 Again he says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[68]

15:11 Again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him."[69]

15:12 Again, Isaiah says, "There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope."[70]

15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

• (7) He seals up as it were all the former treatise with prayers, wishing all that to be given them by the Lord, that he had commanded them.
• (i) In whom we hope.
• (k) Abundantly and plentifully.

15:14 I myself am also persuaded about you, my [71] brothers [See Romans Footnotes 71], that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.

• (8) The conclusion of the epistle, in which he first excuses himself, that he has written somewhat at length to them, rather to warn them than to teach them, and that of necessity, by reason of his calling, which binds him in a special way to the Gentiles.
• (l) Of your own accord, and by yourselves.

15:15 But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,

15:16 that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

• (m) By the offering up of the Gentiles, he means the Gentiles themselves, whom he offered to God as a sacrifice.

15:17 I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

• (9) He commends his apostleship highly by the effects, but yet in such a way that even though he speaks all things truly, he gives all the glory to God as the only author: and he does not do this for his own sake, but this rather, that men might doubt less of the truth of the doctrine which he propounds to them.

15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

• (n) Christ was so with me in all things, and by all means, that even if I had wanted to, yet I cannot say what he has done by me to bring the Gentiles to obey the gospel.

15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

• (o) In the first place this word "mighty" signifies the force and working of the wonders in piercing men’s minds: and in the latter, it signifies God’s mighty power which was the worker of those wonders.

15:20 yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.

15:21 But, as it is written, "They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand."[72]

15:22 Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,

• (10) He writes in general to the Romans, and that familiarly, his singular good will towards them, and the state of his affairs, but in such a way that he does not swerve in the least way from the end of apostolic doctrine: for he declares nothing but that which appertains to his office, and is godly: and commending by a little digression as it were, the liberality of the churches of Macedonia, he modestly incites them to follow their godly deed.

15:23 but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

15:24 whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

15:25 But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.

• (p) Doing his duty for the saints, to carry to them that money which was gathered for their use.

15:26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.

15:27 Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.

• (11) Alms are voluntary, but yet we at the same time owe these by the law of charity.
• (q) To serve their turns.

15:28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

15:29 I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

• (12) He promises them through the blessing of God, not to come empty to them: and requiring of them the duty of prayers, he shows what thing we ought mainly to rest upon in all difficulties and adversities.

15:30 Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

• (t) For the mutual union, with which the Holy Spirit has united our hearts and minds together.

15:31 that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;

15:32 that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.

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