The Righteousness of God: Christ Our Example
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
For even Christ did not please Himself. He is the supreme example of self-denial for others' sake.
Bear with the weak
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
The strong (those with clear conscience on disputable matters) have an obligation. Bear with means carry, endure. Failings are weaknesses, scruples.
Not pleasing ourselves: self-denial for others' sake. Strength is for service, not self-indulgence.
Shift from self to neighbor. Please the neighbor. The purpose: their good and building up (edification). Love seeks the other's benefit, not one's own preferences.
Strength is for serving, not for self.
Christ did not please Himself
"For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'"
Christ is the supreme example. He did not please Himself. He bore reproach for God's sake.
Insults directed at God fell on Christ. If Christ denied Himself, how much more should we.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Christ is our example of self-denial.
Unity of mind
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
A prayer: God grants endurance and encouragement. The petition: unity of mind according to Christ Jesus.
Christ's mindset (humility, self-denial) should mark believers. Unity flows from shared Christlikeness.
The goal: united worship. One mind and one voice glorify God. Unity magnifies God's glory. Divisions hinder worship.
Unity in Christ glorifies God.
Accept one another
"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
The command: mutual acceptance. The ground: Christ accepted us. The purpose: God's glory.
Christ's acceptance of us, while we were sinners, models how we accept others.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.
Christ accepted us; we accept one another.
Gentiles glorify God
"As it is written: 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.'"
Christ's mission includes Gentiles. They glorify God for His mercy. Old Testament prophecy foretold Gentile worship.
Again, it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol Him.
And again, Isaiah says, The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in Him the Gentiles will hope.
The gospel extends to all nations.
Overflowing with hope
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
A benediction. God of hope grants joy and peace through trust. The result: overflowing hope by the Spirit's power.
Hope, joy, and peace are Spirit-given realities. Trust in God produces abundant hope.
Hope overflows by the Spirit's power.
Paul's priestly ministry
"To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."
Paul's role: minister to Gentiles. Priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel. The Gentiles are an offering to God, sanctified by the Spirit.
Paul's ministry is priestly: presenting converted Gentiles as a sacrifice to God.
Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done.
Paul's ministry presents Gentiles as an offering to God.
From Jerusalem to Illyricum
"By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ."
Signs and wonders authenticated Paul's message. Spirit's power enabled ministry.
Geographic scope: Jerusalem to Illyricum (modern Balkans). Fully proclaimed means completed, fulfilled. Paul's missionary reach was vast.
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.
Paul was a pioneer missionary.
Plans to visit Rome
"But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain."
The eastern Mediterranean is evangelized. No more pioneering opportunities in that region. Paul's longstanding desire: visit Rome.
I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
Paul's plan: Spain mission, with Rome as a stopover. He hopes for Roman support. Fellowship and mission are both priorities.
Paul plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain.
The collection for Jerusalem
"Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem."
Immediate plan: Jerusalem with a collection for needy believers. Macedonia and Achaia contributed to the collection.
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Gentiles received spiritual blessings (the gospel) from Jews. Jews should receive material blessings from Gentiles. This reciprocal relationship expresses unity.
Generosity expresses unity in the body.
Prayer request
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me."
A plea for prayer. Join in my struggle depicts partnership. Prayer is spiritual warfare.
Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed.
Two prayer requests: safety from unbelievers and favorable reception of the collection. Both are real concerns.
Paul needs intercessory prayer.
Final exhortation
Romans 15 calls us to follow Christ's example of self-denial. The strong bear with the weak. We please our neighbors for their good, not ourselves.
Christ did not please Himself but bore reproach for God's sake. His mindset should be ours: humility, self-denial, service.
Accept one another as Christ accepted you. Let unity of mind and voice glorify God. Overflow with hope by the Spirit's power.
Paul's priestly ministry presents Gentiles as an offering to God. His pioneer spirit takes the gospel to unreached regions. His collection for Jerusalem expresses unity between Jew and Gentile.
Follow Christ's example. Bear with the weak. Accept one another. And pray for those who labor in the gospel.
Closing prayer
Father, thank You for Christ's example of self-denial and service. Help us to bear with the weak and please our neighbors for their good. May we accept one another as Christ accepted us, bringing praise to Your name. Fill us with hope, joy, and peace by the Spirit's power. In Jesus' name, amen.