Read Chapter 15
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15&version=NIV
Paul moved to a consideration of stumbling as in Romans 12. Another way of support is by living out the Christlike perspective of pleasing others before self (15:1–13). Believers are exhorted to follow Christ’s example of self-denial in order to edify others (15:1–3). In 15:3 Paul appealed to Psalm 69:9 to support his exhortation. Throughout, the Old Testament is used to support Paul’s words. Having “unity” (15:5; “the same mind,” nasb; “likeminded,” kjv) does not mean total uniformity. It means unity regarding the object of the believer’s love and glory (15:6).
The conclusion of this section on acceptance (15:7–13) clearly shows how Jew and Gentile Christians must be unified. Christ was a servant to both Jew and Gentile (15:8–9). Paul used a series of quotations from the Old Testament to demonstrate God’s plan to include Gentiles in his plan for world blessing (cf. Ps. 18:49; Deut. 32:43; Ps. 117:1; Isa. 11:10). Romans 15:13 serves as the conclusion for section 12:1–15:13.
15:14–21 Paul knew of their ability to instruct one another (15:14), but he desired to extend his own ministry (15:15–21). Illyricum (15:19) was located in present-day Yugoslavia, along the eastern shore of the Adriatic. The visit may have taken place toward the end of Paul’s third missionary journey when he visited Macedonia (Acts 20:1–2). In Romans 15:21 Paul appealed to Isaiah 52:15 in support of his desire to preach the gospel where Christ was unknown.
15:22–29 Paul was completing his ministry in Asia (15:22) and was tending to the Jerusalem offering (15:23–29). This discussion of what hindered Paul from coming to Rome returns to the thought of Romans 1, where Paul asserted that he had not stayed away because of fear or shame of the gospel. One purpose for writing was to enlist Roman support for Paul’s projected visit to Spain (15:24). According to 1 Clement 5:7 and the Muratorian Canon, Paul eventually made the trip. The offering for the Jerusalem Christians (15:26) was the subject of Paul’s lengthy exhortation in 2 Corinthians 8–9. The believers in Macedonia and Achaia responded positively to Paul’s instruction.
15:30–33Paul knew of potential trouble in Jerusalem. He desired to come to Rome and find rest. This is the end of the body of his letter (15:33).
Discussion question
This past week, how did you feel about your being “an offering acceptable to God?” What can you do next week to be an even better offering?
Reflection question
What are your priorities going to be for 2010? How does God fit into those priorities?
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Goodness, I seem to fail miserably because I let myself get caught up in the flesh and the things of the world and when I do I can never consider myself an acceptable offering to God.
ReplyDeleteThis next week I can ask for His guidance in looking to others instead of myself and to seek opportunities to serve others and the Lord daily. A kind word, a smile or being there when a friend is needed are small steps that might just make a difference in one person's life! Small steps can lead to big steps, right?
I seem to always feel that my "offering" is not good enough, I should be doing more. Next week I will try to find one thing that I don't usually do to add to my service.
ReplyDeleteAgree, I fall a little bit short. Some weeks are definitely better than others. I will try to work each day to improve.
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