Frameworks:
Romans 15
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
CHAPTER
15
v.1-7
Continuation of Teaching on Acceptance of One Another
v.8-22
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
v.23-33
Paul's Plans to Visit Jerusalem, Rome & Spain
[Context:
Continuing a brief summary of previous sections to provide present
context:
Part
1: Ch.1-8 Our lost state & God's Justification & the New
Life
Part
2: Ch.9-11 Considering the State of Israel
Part
3: Ch.12-15 Living the Christian Life
v.1-7
Continuation of Teaching on Acceptance of One Another
v.1
(bear with one
another's weaknesses) We
who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and
not to please ourselves.
v.2
(let our goal
be to bless and build our neighbour) Each
of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build
them up.
v.3
(even Christ
had this concern) For
even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The
insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” [Psa
69:9]
v.4
(the scriptures
were to teach and encourage us) 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.
v.5,6
(God seeks to
strengthen & encourage you so do that for one another)
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.
v.7
(just
accept one as Christ does you) Accept
one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring
praise to God.
Part
4: 15:8 - Ch.16 About Paul himself
v.8-22
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
v.8,9
(Christ came
to serve Israel to satisfy God's promises yet knowing it would
be the Gentiles who responded) 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. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you
among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
[2 Sam 22:50; Psa 18:49]
v.10
(God loves the
whole world ) Again,
it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
[Deut 32:43]
v.11
(and sought
to always reach them ) And
again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the
peoples extol him.” [Psa
117:1]
v.12
(Isaiah saw
God's intent towards the whole world) 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.” [Isa
11:10 (see Septuagint]
v.13
(so be blessed
with His peace and joy) 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.
v.14
(I'm blessed
how it has been working for you) I
myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves
are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct
one another.
v.15,16
(but that doesn't
stop me reminding you of key issues) Yet
I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of
them again, because of the grace God gave me 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.
v.17
(I desire to
glorify God in all I do) Therefore
I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
v.18,19
(I will only
preach as He enables, confirming it with signs and wonders)
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— 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.
v.20
(I desire to
go where others haven't been) 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.
v.21
(to fulfil the
prophecies about it going further and further) Rather,
as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.” [Isa
52:15 (see Septuagint)]
v.22
(this is what
has held me back from coming to you) This
is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
v.23-33
Paul's Plans to Visit Jerusalem, Rome & Spain
v.23
(but I'm running
out of such places here) 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,
v.24 (so
as I'm planning to visit Spain I'll stop in with you on the way)
I
plan to do so when I go to Spain. 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.
v.25
(but I've got
to go to Jerusalem first) Now,
however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's
people there.
v.26
(I've got a
gift I've got to pass on to them) For
Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the
poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem.
v.27
(the Gentiles
had collected for them) 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.
v.28
(but after I've
done that my goal will be Spain) So
after I have completed this task and have made sure that they
have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit
you on the way.
v.29
(I'm sure I'll
have God's blessing when I come to you) I
know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure
of the blessing of Christ.
v.30
(please join
in the struggle by praying for me) 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.
v.31
(particularly
that I will be safe and well received in Jerusalem) 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,
v.32
(that way I
can then come on to you) so
that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company
be refreshed.
v.33
(in the meantime
may God bless you with His peace) The
God of peace be with you all. Amen.