Romans Chapter 15

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

We know that to whom much knowledge of the Word is given, much is required.

1 Thessalonians 5:14: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men]."

Another Scripture we need to look at is Luke 12:

Luke 12:48 "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

You see, God holds us responsible for what we know.

The shepherds that God has placed over the flock, God then requires them to bring His message to the sheep.

The strong are not to simply tolerate the weaknesses of their weaker brothers; they are to help the weak shoulder their burdens by showing loving and practical consideration for them.

Romans 15:2 "Let every one of us please [his] neighbor for [his] good to edification."

“Edification”:

This means to build up and strengthen.

This is essentially the same appeal that Paul made previously, only with the added qualification of self-sacrifice.

We see scriptures by Paul about how He tried to win people to Christ by meeting them on their own ground.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 "For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." "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."

When Jesus was facing death of His body on the cross, He asked for the cup to pass from Him. His very next statement was “not my will but thine Father”.

Jesus submitted His will to the Father.

Psalms 40:8 "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart." This really, is the desire of true Christians; to do the will of God.

“Reproaches”:

This is referring to slander, false accusations, and insults.

Men hate God and they manifested that same hatred toward the One He sent to reveal Himself.

John 8:29 "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."

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."

Currently Christians presently live under the New Covenant, and they are not under the authority of the Old Covenant.

God’s moral law has never changed, and all Scripture is of spiritual benefit.

The things written aforetime is a reference to that which was written in the Old Testament.

Galatians 3:24-25 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

We know that faith comes by hearing and the hearing must be the word of God. Our hope comes from knowing the word of God.

We have said before that the power is in the spoken and written Word of God.

Without the clear and certain promises of the Word of God, the believer has no basis for hope.

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

It is very important that we Christians be in one accord.

We are all part of the family of God and will live in heaven together.

We need to learn to live peaceably here with each other.

Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." “Consolation”:

In the Scripture above means “comfort”.

In the upper room on the day of Pentecost, they were in one accord.

This pleased God and the Holy Ghost fell with power from on high.

The unity that God wants us to have is unity of the Spirit.

Despite differing views on non-essential issues, Paul urges the strong and the weak to pursue loving spiritual harmony regarding matters on which the Bible is silent.

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

Our unity should be both real and apparent.

But the consummate purpose of unity is not to please other believers but to glorify God.

Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:"

We must all agree to the fact that Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord is also the Resurrection and our Life.

Our praises to the Father should go up continually for giving His only begotten Son that we might be saved.

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

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

If the sinless perfect Son of God was willing to bring sinners into God’s family, how much more should those who have been forgiven be willing to warmly embrace and accept each other despite their disagreements over issue of conscience?

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

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 came first to the physical house of Israel.

The promises here mentioned are the ones made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We know also, that all believers in Christ are heirs of the promises to Abraham.

Galatians 3:29: "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Jesus says He was sent to the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

In verses 9-12, it shows God’s plan has always been to bring Jew and Gentile alike into His kingdom and to soften the prejudice of Christian Jews against their Gentile brothers.

Paul quotes from the Law, the Prophets and twice from the Psalms, all the recognized divisions of the Old Testament proving God’s plan from their own Scripture.

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."

There were two promises of this very thing in the Old Testament, because God extended His grace and mercy to a people outside the covenant as it was written.

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."

We Gentile believers have much to glorify God for.

Galatians 3:14 "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Acts 15:7 "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."

Romans 15:10 "And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."

Deut. 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."

There is a physical house of Israel and a spiritual house of Israel.

Gentiles are of the spiritual house that has been grafted into the tree of life.

We are now Israel just like the natural Jew, by adoption into the family of God.

Romans 15:11 "And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people."

Psalms 117:1 "O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people." We know that this could not be just the Jews, because “nations” is plural. The physical house of Israel is just one nation.

God inhabits the praises of His people.

We should praise Him, because He has brought us life.

1 Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit."

Jesus Christ (the second Adam), brought us life when He quickened our spirit.

Romans 15:12 "And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust."

“Root of Jesse”:

This is a way of referring to Jesus as the descendant of David, and thus of David’s father Jesse.

Isaiah 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"

Isaiah 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

This promise of the Branch is promising that Jesus will come to save all of us.

Jeremiah 16:19 "O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and [things] wherein [there is] no profit."

The plan of God from the beginning of the earth was to make the way open for salvation to whosoever will.

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."

God is the source of eternal hope, life and salvation, and He is also the object of hope for each and every believer.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace," "Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

The believer’s hope comes through the scripture which was written and is applied to every believing heart by the Holy Spirit.

John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

God expects us to believe and He will do the rest.

Romans Chapter 15 Questions

1.Who should bear the infirmities of the weak?

2.Who does God require much of?

3.Who are we to warn?

4.He that knew not and committed sin will receive what punishment?

5.Romans 15:2 says, to please whom?

6.What did Paul do so that he might win some to Christ?

7.When Jesus was facing the cross, whose will did He submit His will to?

8.We through patience and comfort of what might have hope?

9.The law was our _____________ to bring us to Christ.

10.We are justified by what?

11.How does faith come?

12.We Christians are all part of what family?

13.How are we to live with all men that we read in Romans 12:18?

14.What is the unity that God wants us to have?

15.What is Jesus, besides our Savior and Lord?

16.How do we do things for God?

17.Jesus Christ was a minister of the ____________.

18.What 3 patriarchs were these promises made to?

19.Who are heirs of the promise through Abraham?

20.The blessings of Abraham came to the Gentiles through whom?

21.What is the great hope?

22.Who is the Branch spoken of in Isaiah 11:1?

23.Romans 15:13 says, we abound in hope through what power?

24.What are we told not to let our heart do in John 14:1?