Chapter 15
Verses 1-13
The first seven verses sum up in a few and weighty words the instruction we have had in the fourteenth chapter regarding the “strong” and the “weak.” May we ponder them deeply!
“But we ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:11We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1) JND). How apt the Word of God is! The “strong,” more intelligent in the truth of God, are not because of that to look down upon the “weak;” indeed they ought to bear (carry) their infirmities, and not to please themselves. This would be to enter into the feelings of the weak, the very opposite of despising, or making little of them. In Galatians 6:22Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2), there is a somewhat parallel passage:
“Bear ye one another’s burdens (weights), and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
There it is not a question of “strong” and “weak” brothers, but of Christians walking together in brotherly love. How deep must be the interest of our God in His people, since He has given us to know full well what will please Him in our ways. And remember, dear young Christian, that you have not only His written Word for your guidance, but a new and divine nature is yours; and the Holy Spirit indwelling you is the power whereby God may be glorified in your life.
“Let every one of us please his neighbor with a view to what is good, to edification” (Rom. 15:22Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. (Romans 15:2) JND).
There is no room for selfishness here, is there? But perhaps you are saying,
“And, who is my neighbor?”
The answer is very simple; it is found in the meaning of the Greek word here, and in the New Testament generally translated “neighbor.” The word means “one that is near” and as the Apostle is in these scriptures writing about believers, it is clear that the “neighbor” here, is any Christian with whom one may come in contact.
The third verse brings us to the Pattern and Example, our blessed Lord. It is most interesting to trace in the epistles the references to Himself where Christian conduct is the theme; for examples, turn to Ephesians 5:22And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:2); Philippians 2:55Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5); Colossians 3:1313Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3:13); 1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21). Is there anything that could operate with equal power on your heart in view of the first two verses of our chapter, as that Christ did not please Himself as He passed through the world? Never did He seek His own comfort; always the good of others.
The quotation in the third verse is from the 69th Psalm, written by David for his Lord when He should be crucified, to express that which He felt in view of His entire rejection by His earthly people, the Jews.
The fourth verse, like 1 Corinthians 10:11; 211Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11) Timothy 3:15-17; Luke 24:25-2725Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25‑27), and other passages, bids us to not neglect the Old Testament, from which, in the light of the New, we can learn much.
“Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning” (instruction), it is plain, means, that the whole of the Old Testament is intended of God for the prayerful study of His children, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“That we, through patience (really, endurance) and comfort (or more exactly, encouragement) of the scriptures might have hope.”
Here we pass beyond the limits of the Old Testament to take in the New Testament also, for “the scriptures” includes both.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable...that the man of God may be perfect...”
O, how important it is that young Christians shall know the Word of God! Do not neglect its daily reading, with earnest prayer for the blessing of it to your soul.
In the 5th verse God Himself is made known as the source of endurance and encouragement: He knows the needs of His children, and is ever ready to supply them. With His help the “weak” and “strong” will be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus; thus with one accord, with one mouth, to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Wherefore,” in verse 7 is it said, “receive ye one another, according as the Christ has received you to the glory of God.”
He has received the strong as well as the weak, to share in the glory of God, and I should receive my weak brother as I myself have been received.
It will be seen that the whole subject we have been examining in chapters 14 and 15, relates to those who are sound in the faith. All cannot be received either to the Lord’s Table or into believers’ homes, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ cannot be linked with what is contrary to Him, the Holy and the True (1 Cor. 5); nor should His saints tamper with evil (2 John 6-116And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 6‑11)). Other scriptures throw further light on the subject of receiving persons to the Lord’s Table.
Romans 15:8-128Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9And 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. 10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12And 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. (Romans 15:8‑12) sums up what we have been looking at in chapters 9, 10, 11, and more widely, with regard to God’s dealings with the Jew and the Gentile, His Son having come into the world.
“For I say that Jesus Christ became a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers; and that the nations should glorify God for mercy...” (Romans 15:8-98Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9And 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. (Romans 15:8‑9) JND). To the Jews, or to their forefathers, God had made promises; they will be accomplished to the full. To the Gentiles He had made none; mercy was for them. The quotations of Romans 15:9-129And 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. 10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12And 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. (Romans 15:9‑12) are taken from Psalms 18:4949Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. (Psalm 18:49); Deuteronomy 32:4343Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. (Deuteronomy 32:43); Psalms 117:11O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. (Psalm 117:1); Isaiah 11:1010And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10).
God being seen as the source of their hope, as in the fifth verse, He is revealed as the source of the believer’s endurance and comfort or encouragement.
“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.”
Joy and peace in believing, and abounding in hope; these are among the Christian’s gifts from God; have you proved their reality? Joy, peace, hope; these are what the world seeks, but how often the joy runs out, and the peace is broken, and hope dies, because founded upon something here below!
It has been truly said that if the Christian had only his life down here, his situation would still be far better than that of the unbelieving, Christ-refusing man or woman, because he has an inward spring of joy and peace, and hope, founded on the solid rock of the Word of God. But the Christian looks on with desire, with longing, into the unmeasurable ages, of an eternity to be spent with his Saviour and Lord, in the assurance, given him in that Word of God, that fullness of joy and peace will only be his—blest though his present portion is—when in heavenly body, and in heavenly scenes, he will be in the company of the Man who died for him. The Holy Spirit gives the believer power to enter into and abide in these present and eternal blessings.
(To be continued, D. V.)