Romans 15:1-21
Q.1. How are we to maintain harmony with those who have different convictions? Why? How can the Old Testament Scriptures reinforce such oneness? What is our ultimate goal to be? – (Rom.15:1-6)
It is not usually the natural thing to consider others first, and – not just please ourselves (Rom.15:1). However, that is exactly how we are to treat those with a sensitive conscience in areas of preference and conviction. Our new focus demands that – each of us please our neighbour for his good, for his edification (Rom.15:2). Paul gave us two reasons why this should be our goal: (i) Christ did not please Himself, but instead chose to encourage and help others. (ii) Paul also quoted Scripture to show how Christ did not deserve mistreatment, but yet took our reproaches upon Himself (Rom.15:3). He explained that the Scriptures were given to impress on believers the necessity of oneness between us -4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus (Rom.15:4-5). How do we please and glorify God? One way is to avoid disharmony by encouraging oneness (Rom.15:6).
Q.2. Why should we accept one another? How did the inclusion of the Gentiles increase potential conflict? Was the salvation of the Gentiles a new concept to the Jews? What was Paul’s hope? – (Rom.15:7-13)
The foundation for accepting others and their differences is based on the way that God has treated us (Rom.15:7). Why was Paul so sensitive to matters of conscience? Because God had called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles, who had very few of the restrictions and scruples of the Jews (Acts 9:15; Rom.11:13). Though the Jews had largely overlooked the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation, Paul quoted copiously from their Scriptures, to prove that this was always God’s intention (Rom.15:8-12 c.f. Dt.32:43; 2 Sam.22:50; Ps.18:49; Ps.117:1; Isa.11:10). These prophecies were hidden, until unveiled by Jesus and His apostles (Mt.8:10-12; 21:31; Rom.4:9-12; Eph.3:4-11). Paul then expressed the hope that the joy of salvation amongst the Gentiles would not be undermined by these particular matters of conscience (Rom.15:13).
Q.3. Why had Paul spoken strongly about matters of conscience? How was the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles accomplished? Why did Paul open up new fields of service? – (Rom.15:14-21 c.f. Acts 15:1-2)
When Paul went to a different region to minister, it was his pattern to start in the synagogue of the Jews. However, his ministry was continually opposed by Judaizers i.e. Jewish legalists (Acts 13:44-49; 15:1-2). * The Roman church was comprised of both converted Jews and Gentiles (Acts 28:23-24). Until the close of the Book of Acts, Paul preached the Gospel to all, including the Gentiles, for two full years (Acts 28:28-31). He was well aware of the potential conflict and diversions that would result from fighting about matters of conscience. He knew that he had been called – to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom.15:16). He recognised how easily the Gospel could be derailed in the lives of the Gentile converts, so pleaded for the church to accept believers with different convictions (Rom.15:14-15). He probably wrote the letter during his third missionary journey. He recorded that up to the time of writing, he had ministered as far as Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea, before eventually ending up in Rome (Rom.15:19 c.f. Acts 28:16-31). In order to fulfill his divine commission, Paul – … aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation (Rom.15:20). This was based on the prophecy – … They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand (Acts 15:21). Though Paul had unspeakable experiences of God, he was clearly led to operate on the basis of the written Scriptures (2 Cor.12:1-6). The Bible is the objective message for all of us to read and obey.