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Romans 15

Romans 15:1-33(1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to

please ourselves.

I. We that are strong: In Chapter 14, Paul discussed the “weak,” referring to those Christians that, because of legalism or lack of spiritual growth, had not yet come to the point of fulling embracing their liberty in Christ. The “strong” are those who stand fast in their liberty, wherein Christ has set them free.

Galatians 5:1-4(1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.(2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.(3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

a. Bear the infirmities of the weak: The word “bear” here in verse 1 has the sentiment from the Greek to “lift up” or in this case “bear up” these weak brethren because of their infirmities (a scruple of conscience).

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b. Making the weak strong: In a physical sense, when a person is physiologically weak, the cure is strenuous exercise, which first tears the muscle and, in the process of healing, becomes stronger than it was before. So it is with those who are weak in the faith. Arguing with a weak brother about things that his conscience holds to be true, even when they’re not, will not remove him from his weakness. Only the exercising of the rightful dividing of the Word of Truth can move those that are weak into the lane of the strong.

(2) Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification .(3) For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

II. Edification: To build up in Christ. Our bottom line, when dealing with other brothers, especially those who are young or “weak” in the Lord, is to build them up by edification for their own good that they might be fruitful in the Kingdom of God, leading others to faith in Christ.

a. Even Christ pleased not himself but did always those things which pleased the Father.

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

III. Things written aforetime:

Hebrews 10:7(7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

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The things written for our learning in the Old Testament are the things about Jesus Christ. It was never meant to be a book of rules and regulations through which the performance of we might please God. In reality, we learn that the Messiah did do all the things that were necessary to please the Father on our behalf. Thus, as we read the scriptures and are reassured of all that Jesus Christ has done for us by fulfilling the law, we now have patience and hope through the comfort of the scriptures.

(5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded 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.(7) Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

IV. Be like minded: Weak or strong; strong or weak, we are to be like minded toward one another according to Jesus Christ, not making issue of the petty things that are neither here nor there but with one mind solely fixed on Jesus and, thus, with one mouth, glorify God by Him because Christ has received us—not because we were perfect (flawless)—because Paul has already said, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.” If you are strong, never forget that you were once weak and so have patience with such. If you are weak, strive to be strong and thereby glorify God.

(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:

V. Minister of the circumcision: Jesus’ first mission was to fulfill the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

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Matthew 15:22-28(22) And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.(23) But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.(24) But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.(25) Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.(26) But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.(27) And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.(28) Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

It is imperative that we understand the who, what, why, when, where, and how does this apply to me when reading the scriptures, which is what we refer to as Inductive Bible Study. Those who do not use such study methods, are prone to grievous error and, thus, often wind up on the side of Replacement Theology.

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

VI. That the Gentiles might glorify God: Though Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (the Jews), yet the Gentiles would hear his voice and would be counted among the fold as Jesus Himself said.

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John 10:14-16(14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.(15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.(16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

a. Let me illustrate why Inductive Bible Study is so important. Remember, any text taken from its context becomes a proof text for a pretext. This is one of the proof texts that the Mormons use to explain how Jesus came to the United States after His resurrection and preached the Gospel to the American Indians. Joseph Smith claimed that the “sheep of another fold” were the Indians. How did he come to this conclusion? Joseph Smith practiced what all cult leaders practice, which is what we call an Eisegesis approach to interpretation. There are two types of approaches to the interpretation of scripture. Eisegesis and Exegesis. Let me take the time now to teach you the difference between Exegesis and Eisegesis. (Refer to PowerPoint printouts.)

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(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.(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,(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.

VII. Paul was confident in the Roman believers: Even though Paul only knew a few of the Roman believers by association, it was what he knew of their reputation that persuaded him and made him confident of their ability to receive the truth of God, which the Lord had delivered through Paul in teaching the believers there at Rome.

Proverbs 22:1(1) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:1(1) A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

a. They were full of goodness: The word “goodness” here in the Greek simply means “virtue.” Because of their acceptance of the Gospel and being transformed by the Holy Spirit in renewing their minds, the Roman church was a virtuous church, whose lives among the unbelievers was not inconsistent with what they were preaching.

b. They were filled with all knowledge: The Roman church knew the Word.

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c. Admonish one another: When the Body of Christ is firmly grounded in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, those believers will be more than able to admonish one another, that is, to caution or to reprove gently or to warn. Admonishment is not the same as rebuking, which is more pointed.

Admonishment: When Paul was talking to the Christians at Rome about “admonishing” one another, he wasn’t talking about their ability to discern what was right and wrong. He was talking about “encouraging” each other about not just knowing what is right but to do what is right.

VIII. Paul a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles: In fulfilling his call to the Gentiles, Paul did not just preach the Gospel of Salvation but would instruct the believers in how to live for God.

Minister of Jesus Christ: Paul uses a word here in verse 16 that he uses no where else in Scripture in defining himself as a minister. The word here in the Greek means “to give Priestly service.”

a. Offering of the Gentiles: Paul is making a point here that when the Gentiles’ lives glorify God, then their offering to God is acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

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

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IX. Paul had something to glory about: Like any true minister of God, Paul would glory in the things which pertained to Christ, and he would often point to the things which Jesus had done through him and would really speak of nothing else.

Philippians 3:1-10(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.(2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.(3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:(5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;(6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Paul put no confidence in any of his achievements that he had had before Christ; therefore, it must not be misconstrued when Paul speaks of glorying in the Lord of the things which Christ had done through him that he wasn’t in any wise trying to bring glory or adulation to himself—quite the contrary. Paul was directing their attention to the Power of the Holy Spirit who will, even in our modern times, bring about mighty signs and wonders through any man or woman who has humbled themselves before the Lord.

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a. Paul preached the full Gospel: There’s a lot of talk today and has been for years about the “full Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Some churches have even taken it as part of their name. As I said before, Paul did not just preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he would also teach the believers how they should live before God.

Act 20:25-28(25) And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.(26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

b. This is one of the great Jesus deity verses that many new translations change, and that is sad.

(20) Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:(21) But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

X. Another man’s foundation: While I want to make it clear, I do not see any problem with building upon another man’s foundation when it is called for, i.e., replacing a pastor, and so on and so forth. However, I do respect Paul’s statement here in that having tasted and seen what the Lord would do through him in bringing people to Christ and community fellowships springing forth from his preaching, he was not going to settle for anything less because, as we just read, Paul loved to glory in the things that Christ had done through him. I believe, because of my own experience, that many Bible students and seminary graduates never have

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the chance to experience what the Lord could do through them because they go from seminary into an already-established ministry or vacant pulpit. I believe wholeheartedly that we would see more men preach with passion if they were preaching to a congregation that they had built from the ground up by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

So, my challenge to you is this: Regardless of your fears or shortcomings, take a step of faith and see what the Lord will do through you.

(22) For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.(23) But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;(24) 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.

XI. Paul was hindered: Even though Paul desired greatly to see the Romans face to face, it was his pioneering work in missions that hindered him from going. After all, they were already established in the faith, were growing in the Lord, and had a great reputation throughout the whole region. Thus, his letters more than sufficed to encourage them in the Way of Christ.

a. When I journey to Spain: Paul supposes that he would visit the Romans on a future trip to Spain, where he would preach the Gospel on frontiers and stop off at Rome on his way. It has been speculated by some that it is probable that Paul wanted to make Rome his base of operations for the Western part of the Empire, even as he had made Antioch his base for the Eastern part.

b. I hope to see you on my journey: Like all of us, Paul had his plans; yet, sometimes things don’t work out according to our plans. Paul would

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eventually go to Rome—but not as a missionary—on his way to Spain. He would be led to Rome as a prisoner of the Roman Empire to await trial before Caesar, where he would, though, preach the Gospel, albeit, on a much different frontier.

c. After Paul’s release from imprisonment at Rome, which is given to us at the end of the Book of Acts, there is good reason to believe that Paul did, in fact, make it to Spain and there preached the Gospel.

(25) But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.(26) For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.(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.(28) When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.(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.

XII. Ministering to the saints: On Paul’s way to Jerusalem, he would stop at Corinth bringing with him a collection from the Christians in Macedonia and Achaia.

a. Carnal things for spiritual things: Paul makes the observation that the Gentile Christians of the broader Roman Empire had, indeed, received so much spiritually from the Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem that it would only be fitting that they, in turn, would help the Christians in Jerusalem in their time of need.

b. I shall go by way of Spain: Paul would, indeed, head for Rome after his time in Jerusalem, but it would not be the way that he had planned.

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(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;(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;(32) That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.(33) Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

XIII. That I might be delivered from them in Judaea that do not believe: Paul’s prayer for deliverance was a sincere plea because he had already been warned several times that danger awaited him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23; Acts 21:10-14). Paul knew that he needed the prayers of God’s people to see him through the difficulties that were promised him.

a. Strive together with me: Paul earnestly wanted the Romans to partner with him in ministry through their prayers. Another version of the Bible translates this phrase: “Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

b. Ministers need the prayers of their flock: I would urge you, myself, just as Paul is here to strive in your prayers for your pastors. Those of us in ministry need your prayers, we thank God for them. Pastors and those in front-line ministries are sustained by the Power of the Spirit through the prayerful support of their congregations.

c. Strive together: This word in the Greek literally means “agonize together.” To emphasize its importance here in the Greek Paul uses the word twice.This same root word for “agony” is used of the anguished prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asked his disciples to

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agonize with Him in prayer, which request they failed to do at that critical moment and left Jesus to struggle alone. My friends, we must not leave our ministers and leaders to struggle alone. There’s an old story of a missionary who was going down into one of the roughest parts of India to preach the Gospel. He would tell those that were supporting him before he left, “I will go down into the pit, but, brothers and sisters, you must hold the rope.” How could any refuse such a request? Would it not be treachery?

d. Think it not strange: Do you think it is strange that a man like Paul, who was so evidently rich in grace and the Power of the Holy Spirit, should be asking prayers of these unknown saints? I would tell you, “Think it not strange.” Charles Spurgeon said, “It is the rule with the truly great to think most highly of others. In proportion, as a man grows in grace, he feels his dependence upon God, and, in a certain sense, his dependence upon God’s people.”

e. And that my service to Jerusalem might be accepted by the saints: Paul knew that the church in Jerusalem was very conservative, and they sometimes regarded men like Paul as dangerous innovators. It is because of this reason that Paul asked the Romans to pray that his service to Jerusalem would be accepted.

f. That I may come to you with joy: The prayers of Paul and the Romans were answered, though not in the way they expected. Acts 28:15 describes Paul’s triumphant entry into Rome; thus, he did wind up coming to them with joy, albeit, he was also in chains.