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Romans 15 & 16. Chapter 15. Directions for dealing with “the weak”. Romans 15:1-7 ESV (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
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Directions for dealing with “the weak” • Romans 15:1-7 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 14
Verse 1: Bear one another’s burdens • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 14
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 14 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 14 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” • So we can infer he does not mean physical strength
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 1 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” • So we can infer he does not mean physical strength • So what DOES he mean by strong? People who can write great letters?
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 1 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” • So we can infer he does not mean physical strength • So what DOES he mean by strong? People who can write great letters? • We the strong (hēmeis hoi dunatoi). • He means the Morally Strong • Cf .2Cor 12:10 “.. For when I am weak, then I am strong..”
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 1 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” • So we can infer he does not mean physical strength • So what DOES he mean by strong? People who can write great letters? • We the strong (hēmeis hoi dunatoi). • He means the Morally Strong • Cf. 2Cor 12:10 “.. For when I am weak, then I am strong..” • And the Strong in Faith • Cf. Rom 4:20 “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,”
Verse 1: Defining Strong • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Driving home one of the key points of Chapter 1 • Paul starts with “We” so Paul includes himself in this group, though later describing himself (through the eyes of others) as one whose “bodily presence is weak” Cf. 2 Cor 10:10 “.. but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” • So we can infer he does not mean physical strength • So what DOES he mean by strong? People who can write great letters? • We the strong (hēmeis hoi dunatoi). • He means the Morally Strong • Cf. 2Cor 12:10 “.. For when I am weak, then I am strong..” • And the Strong in Faith • Cf. Rom 4:20 “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,” • And NOT the mighty • Cf. 1Cor 1:25-27 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;..”
Verse 1: Defining Obligation • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Paul chose a word that (“Ought” in the KJV) has a mild form, but literally means; ought, must, and should. It is an obligation like a debt.
Verse 1: Defining Failings • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Failings (infirmities in the KJV) literally from the scruples “of the not strong” (tōnadunatōn)
Verse 1: Defining Failings • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Failings (infirmities in the KJV) literally from the scruples “of the not strong” (tōnadunatōn) • Same phrase used in Acts 14:8 • “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.” (ESV)
Verse 1: Defining Failings • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Failings (infirmities in the KJV) literally from the scruples “of the not strong” (tōnadunatōn) • Same phrase used in Acts 14:8 • “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.” (ESV) • The “actions” of the weak
Verse 1: Defining Failings • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Failings (infirmities in the KJV) literally from the scruples “of the not strong” (tōnadunatōn) • Same phrase used in Acts 14:8 • “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.” (ESV) • The “actions” of the weak – in faith – who have never walked in faith
Verse 1: Defining Failings • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • Failings (infirmities in the KJV) literally from the scruples “of the not strong” (tōnadunatōn) • Same phrase used in Acts 14:8 • “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.” (ESV) • The “actions” of the weak – in faith – who have never walked in faith • Stuck in the same place – Wow! God will save and then keep someone who can’t get out of a spiritual wet paper bag? – it’s his call – he knows their heart
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak?
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak? • What about complainers?
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak? • What about complainers? • What did Moses do?
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak? • What about complainers? • What did Moses do? • What did Jesus do?
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak? • What about complainers? • What did Moses do? • What did Jesus do? • What else did Paul say?
Verse 1: Defining “Bear” • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. • We should BEAR with the failings of the spiritually weak? • What about complainers? • What did Moses do? • What did Jesus do? • What else did Paul say? • Cf. Gal 6:2 “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. “ • (in full context )
Verse 1: ..not to please ourselves • Romans 15:1 ESV • (1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 ESV (32) Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, (33) just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Verses 1: Differentiation • Did Paul mean to accept quietly, peacefully, or otherwise the brother or sister who would not work?
Verses 1: Differentiation • Did Paul mean to accept quietly, peacefully, or otherwise the brother or sister who would not work? • 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV • (14) And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Verse 2: Please our neighbor? • Romans 15:2 ESV • (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. • Suck up to our neighbors? • Make sinners feel happy? • Be a people pleaser?
Verse 2: Please our neighbor? • Romans 15:2 ESV • (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. • Suck up to our neighbors? • Make sinners feel happy? • Be a people pleaser? • 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 ESV • (32) Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, • (33) just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned • Was it in his nature to take on our sin?
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned • Was it in his nature to take on our sin? • Reproach = Insult (in the NIV), a fair modernization, but reproach can also mean rejection, disdain, being outcast, etc.
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned • Was it in his nature to take on our sin? • Reproach = Insult (in the NIV), a fair modernization, but reproach can also mean rejection, disdain, being outcast, etc. • Christ took upon himself the anger that man had towards God AND the anger that God had towards man’s sin
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned • Was it in his nature to take on our sin? • Reproach = Insult (in the NIV), a fair modernization, but reproach can also mean rejection, disdain, being outcast, etc. • Christ took upon himself the anger that man had towards God AND the anger that God had towards man’s sin • And calls us to take a small portion of inconvenience to help save the weak
Verse 3: Our Perfect Example • Romans 15:3 ESV • (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." • Christ was perfect and never sinned • Was it in his nature to take on our sin? • Reproach = Insult (in the NIV), a fair modernization, but reproach can also mean rejection, disdain, being outcast, etc. • Christ took upon himself the anger that man had towards God AND the anger that God had towards man’s sin • And calls us to take a small portion of inconvenience to help save the weak • … as we are in his eyes – why we needed a savior
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 4: The scriptures will encourage us to fulfill our call with hope
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 5: And God will empower us as we endure, and teach us how to live in harmony
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 5: And God will empower us as we endure, and teach us how to live in harmony • But as we will see in Chapter 16, this is NOT a call for unity at all costs, this is a call for unity with weaker brothers and sisters, not for unity with false doctrines, dividers, etc.
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 6: One Voice (“..and all of these can be summed up into this, love your neighbor as yourself”)
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..”
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right?
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right? • We deserved death
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right? • We deserved death • He took the punishment for us
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right? • We deserved death • He took the punishment for us • And loved us!
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right? • We deserved death • He took the punishment for us • And loved us – and made a way for our salvation!
Verses 4-7: Unity! • Romans 15:4-7 ESV • (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. • (5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, • (6) that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • (7) Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. • 7: “.. as Christ has welcomed you..” • Pretty easy to do right? • We deserved death • He took the punishment for us • And loved us – and made a way for our salvation, even when we did not accept him!
Verses 8-13: Shared Promise • Romans 15:8-13 ESV • (8) For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, • (9) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name." • (10) And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." • (11) And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him." • (12) And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope." • (13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Verses 8-13: Shared Promise • Romans 15:8-13 ESV • (8) For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, • (9) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name." • (10) And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." • (11) And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him." • (12) And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope." • (13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. • Paul demonstrates through the promises of scripture, to this “mixed” church, that Christ fulfilled the promises made to the Jews AND to the Gentiles • This is another call to unity!
Verses 14-21: Paul’s Ministry • Romans 15:14-21 ESV • (14) I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. • (15) But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God • (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. • (17) In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. • (18) For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, • (19) by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; • (20) and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, • (21) but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
Verses 14-21: Paul’s Ministry • Romans 15:14-21 ESV • (14) I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. • (15) But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God • (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. • (17) In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. • (18) For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, • (19) by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; • (20) and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, • (21) but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." • 14-16: A reminder that this is delivered in love
Verses 14-21: Paul’s Ministry • Romans 15:14-21 ESV • (14) I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. • (15) But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God • (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. • (17) In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. • (18) For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, • (19) by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; • (20) and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, • (21) but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." • 17-21: Credentialing through signs and wonders • Cf. Acts 14:8-11