15:1 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.
Still on the subject regarding the proper way to interact with those that may have a “weaker faith,” Paul reminds those that are stronger in faith that they have an obligation to be patient with the failings of the weak, and do so without pleasing themselves (disregarding self, as Christians our priority is to serve Jesus first). Paul calls us to encourage others and help them do what is right, in order to build them up in the Lord. He notes that even Jesus did not live to please Himself, and quotes Psalm 69:9, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” (Romans 15:3, NLT) Using David’s words, Paul explains that even though Jesus lived a sinless life, He suffered for our sins, not for His own advantage but for our benefit.
Referring to Scripture, Paul states that whatever was written, was written for our instruction and encouragement, understanding that the hope expressed in God’s Word is worth waiting for, salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul then offers a blessing that God, the source of patience and endurance, allow believers to live together in harmony as they follow Jesus with one voice glorifying God the Father. To that end, Paul once again instructs believers to welcome each other, just as Jesus welcomed us, all for the glory of God as (see John 17:20-26).
Jesus is the Hope for Both the Jews and Gentiles
15:8 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.”
As Paul begins to conclude this epistle, he reiterates that Jesus is the Messiah. Which was God’s plan for humanity’s salvation from the beginning, and that plan included both the Jews and Gentiles. Here he states that Jesus became a servant to the ‘circumcised’, a reference to the Jews, to confirm and fulfill the promises and prophecies given to their patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses). The Greek word translated as ‘servant’ in verse eight is ‘diákonos’, refers to being either a minister, servant or messenger (the root of the English word ‘deacon’), very different than the Greek word ‘doulos, (see Romans 1:1). In this context it refers to Jesus being the foreseen Messiah prophesied in Scripture and to His willingness to live a sinless life, suffer, die and rise to life again in order to provide salvation for those who believe and trust Him. But Paul doesn’t stop there, he adds that Jesus also came so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy by including them in His plan, meaning that salvation has been offered to all people, including Gentiles. Paul follows with four passages from Scripture that support that claim. From Psalm 18:49 Paul wrote, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (remember the Hebrew word for ‘Gentiles’ is ‘gôyim’, which can also be translated as ‘nations’, depending on context and the translator). The next passage Paul quotes is from Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” (the wording in the Hebrew text is slightly different than the Septuagint) Then from Psalm 117:1, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And lastly from Isaiah 11:10, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope,” (here again the wording in the Septuagint is different than most of the Hebrew texts). Each of these passages reflect that God’s plan for salvation always included the Gentiles, referring to all non-Jewish people.
15:13 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 offers another blessing asking God to fill his readers with all joy and peace in their beliefs, granting confidence so that they can know that they are indeed saved through faith. So that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Appointed Minister to the Gentiles
15:14 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.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
Referring to his believing audience at the church in Rome, calling them ‘brothers’ (Greek ‘adelphōs’, members of the same family or group, can be male or female, Paul uses this term 19 times in this epistle, only once as a refernce to his Jewish lineage, see Romans 9:3 where he clearly specifies, all other uses relate to his fellow believers), Paul considers them to be full of goodness, filled with knowledge and able to teach others. Some believe that since Paul had been very direct in this epistle, he didn’t want to close without offering them some encouragement.
Paul notes, by way of reminder (see also 2 Peter 1:13; 3:1), that he has been bold (Greek ‘tolmēróteron’, with greater confidence), by the grace of God to be a minister of Jesus and the gospel to the Gentiles, so that they may believe in Him. Stating that since his effort and abilities come from God, he cannot take credit nor take pride in doing so. Paul further explained, “Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.” (Romans 15:18, NLT) From Jerusalem to Illyricum (a Roman province west of Macedonia) they accepted the gospel through his efforts, words, and miraculous signs and wonders, all made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, Paul desires to continue preaching, not in areas that have already heard the gospel and perhaps have churches established (doesn’t want to interfere with what God is already doing), but to go into areas that have not yet heard about Jesus. He quotes a portion of Isaiah 52:15, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” (Roman 15:21, NLT) He tells them that this need to preach in areas that have not yet heard the gospel is why he has not yet come to them.
Paul understood the mandate from Jesus regarding the need to evangelize (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8). Even though Paul undoubtedly had the gift of evangelism, we need to reflect that same drive to tell the world about Jesus, right where He places us.
15:23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Paul tells them that now that he has finished preaching in these regions, combined with the strong desire to visit them, he hopes to see them soon. Since the wording is not specific, many question what he meant by no longer having any room. Was he done preaching because everyone had heard the gospel? Or was there some form of restriction or problem? No one knows for certain. In either case he desired to visit them. Since there is no mention regarding these being instructions from God, many believe that these are Paul’s personal plans. And since there is no record of him visiting Spain (although there is no record of him visiting Illyricum either), some believe that Paul may have made an error in not inquiring with God first before making these plans. However, we need to understand that there is no harm for a Christian to make plans, while it is true that before, during and after planning anything (yes, anything), especially in ministry, everyone should be praying for guidance, discernment and protection (remember Spiritual warfare is real), it is still appropriate to think things through and make plans for the future as God guides (always remember James 4:13-17). Understanding of course, that those plans may quickly change.
Paul was on his way to Jerusalem to bring the church and the believers’ contributions (Greek ‘koinōnía’, participation, communion, fellowship, in context used as a metonym for sharing a gift, see Romans 12:13) offered to them from the Christians in the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia (see 1 Corinthians 16:1-4). Paul reports that they were pleased to do it as they felt it was the least they could do in return for everything they had done for them. He explains that as the Gentiles have come to share in the spiritual blessings, they were happy to share their material blessings with them. So, after he had delivered their contribution, he will then leave for Spain and see them on his way there. Paul assures them that when he comes, Christ will richly bless their time together.
15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul then asks them to pray for him, first for protection from unbelievers in Judea as he has experienced significant resistance in the past, especially from the Jews (see Acts 13:13-14:23; 2 Timothy 3:11-13). He also asks that they pray that the contribution he is bringing to Jerusalem will be acceptable to the believers there. If everything goes well, he will be able to come to them with joy and will be refreshed in their company. Paul then offers them another blessing of peace.