Romans 15

     How could Jews and Gentiles live together in unity and peace in the same church?  Many of the same stresses appear in the church today when new people are brought into the old established church organizations.  Church organizations are as necessary as state governments, but like government, they are temporal powers, shadows and types in some ways analogous to old covenant Israel.  They point to but are not the Kingdom of God.  The true church of Christ must live within these mixed multitudes.  At the same time, each member of Christ’s mystical body is within himself waging a war against his own indwelling sin (Ro.7:22-23).  Is it any wonder that we must live by faith?  We must not ever compromise the truth of God, but we must always hold our own understanding of the truth with some humility.

     15:1-6.  As with all virtues, strength is the imitation of Christ.  He did not please himself, but bore our weaknesses.  The use of Ps.69:9 in v.3, seen in context, tells us that when we reproached God, Christ himself bore that reproach.  His submission and trust in God was an act of strength.  When he was weak for our sakes, then he was strong.  The power of redemption is in it.  Unity is based on self-denial (1-3) and perseverance in the truth (4-6).  Unity is a grant from God for which we pray (5), and a goal for which we earnestly strive (6; 14:19).

     15:7-13.  Accept one another, weaknesses and all.  “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro.5:8).  Christ, the king of Glory, was a servant to the Jews for the sake of God’s truth and promises (8).  He was a servant to the Gentiles for the glory of God’s mercy (9).

     In vv.9-12, see the broad range of OT Scripture used to prove that the grafting of the Gentiles into Israel (11:17 ff.), to be under the rule of “the root of Jesse” (i.e., the promised Messiah) was always God’s gracious purpose.  God is the true hope, joy, and peace of both Jew and Gentile, by the power of the Holy Spirit (13).

     15:14-21.  “…filled with all knowledge” (cf. 1 John 2:27), “and able to admonish one another.”  Unity is not just submission.  It is submission to the truth, and to each other in the truth.  Admonishing one another is both a service and a duty, rendered with both boldness and humility in the Lord (14-15).  It is not the enemy of true unity, but an essential part.

     Paul exalts his ministry to the Gentiles, because it has been accomplished not by him, but by Christ through him (18).  It has been accompanied by attesting miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit (19).  He has been faithful to his calling as a true apostle to the Gentiles.

     15:22-29.  He shares his plans, and tells of his reason for going to Jerusalem, which is to deliver the contribution raised among the Greek churches for the poor in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 19:21 ff.).

     15:30-33.  Paul’s prayer was answered, but through much tribulation.   He did in fact come to them in joy, and found rest in their company.  Of course it was as a prisoner, but that did not diminish his joy.  He was already a captive of Christ.  And how else could the Lord have given Paul his requested rest, except by putting him under house arrest?  Even then, he continued his ministry, as the Lord brought people to him (Acts 28:30-31).