Chapter 15
2022 - This verse, that's slipped by me every time before:
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [Rom 15:1 ESV]
Think of the implications...getting twisted off every Sunday because weaker Christians are irreverent...or too reverent. Upset about how the weaker Christians take the best parking spots and you have to walk further? Angry because the young wives wear their dresses too short up on the stage? Hmmm...doesn't that mean you are not behaving as a strong, mature Christian ought to behave? We have an OBLIGATION to overlook these things. This verse can be used for self-evaluation. If we truly ARE strong, then we bear. If not, we bitch.
Possible FB post.
A good verse for why we have the Bible:
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. [Rom 15:4 ESV] No intimation of additional written instruction to come. This was not a quote from the OT, but Paul's own evaluation.
Vss 8-13 quote many OT scriptures saying that the Gentiles will be included in the Kingdom. 2 Samuel, Deu, Psalms, and Isaiah are all quoted and show that the Gentiles are included in God's plans. Again, remember that most of the church in Rome was made up of converted Jews. Almost certainly the leadership positions were occupied by former Jews. Paul is making sure they do not "divide" the church along those lines.
Paul then characterizes his own life's work as a ministry to the Gentiles, and not to those who have already heard, but to those in remote areas - distant at least - where Jesus' name has not been preached. He is a missionary to the un-reached, not a shepherd of the already saved.
2022 - This verse:
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God [Rom 15:15 ESV]. Surely this verse says that the church in Rome did have a few problems, though the problems are not so intense as to threaten that church. But Paul writes to remind, and I think to preempt the kind of problems he's seeing in Corinth. Rome, like any other church, like every other church, did have some internal problems. That's because it had people in it.
Vss 16-17 seem to indicate that the Jews in the Roman church were treating the Gentiles as lesser Christians. This would of course cause some problems. Maybe that is even what Paul meant by "bearing with the failings of the weak". The Gentiles did not know the OT like the Jews did. They simply could not be as mature without a lot of work and study. But that doesn't mean they ought to be treated poorly. That is likely the real point of vss 5, 6, where full unity is encouraged, rather than "us and them".
Paul says this missionary work is what has kept him from visiting Rome all this time. But now, having preached to just about everywhere he can, he has some freedom to come and see them - though on his way to another un-reached Gentile area in Spain.
2021-2, For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 ESV
It was for the church to help the poor among the saints. Not to hand out meals to the poor in the community at large as an outreach program. Are there no needs among the body? A d If you are outside and in need, come in and begin to grow in Christ and be fed spiritually AND physically. Perhaps that is why churches no longer have the truly needy inside? That, and the lack of willingness to confront sin inside the church, unwillingness to judge our own, and no real discipling of individuals who are making errors.
Vs 27 gives us an ongoing reason to support Jewish believers where ever we can:
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. [Rom 15:27 ESV]
Chapter 15 closes with Paul's "Amen". This is the end of the doctrinal part of the letter. The next chapter is headed "Personal Greetings".