Thursday, February 12, 2015

Romans 15:1-6

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Preamble
In chapter fifteen the Apostle Paul continues his exhortation from the previous chapter on our responsibilities towards each other regarding all non-moral issues. 

Commentary
Vs. 1 "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

In verses 1-3 the Christian principle of seeking each others well being is being highlighted (Phil 2:4, also see 1 Cor. 10:24, 13:5). And so those who are strong in the liberty that we all have In Christ should bear with the scruples of the weak, but not to please ourselves by selfishly asserting our rights and liberties (BBC). Rather we are too bear patiently with the scruples of the weak, and not treat them (or anyone) in a condescending or patronizing way. Thus in verse one the onus is again placed on those who are strong. As the Apostle Paul also reckons himself strong, yet he exercises his liberties in the consideration of the consciences of the weak, and all. And thus is not patronizing, nor partizan towards one or the other, but strives for the good of all (consider 1 Cor 9:19-23).

Vs. 2 "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification."


Thus instead of trying to please oneself by exercising one's liberties without due regard for the feelings and consciences of others. The Apostle Paul commands, "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification." Now the command is for both the strong and the weak. And so the strong need not exercise their liberties in such a way as to be inconsiderate of their weaker brothers and sisters consciences. Nor then should those brethren whose consciences are weaker find ground to disassociate with their brethren based on their own consciences weaker scruples. Instead we are all to seek to please our neighbors for their good, which ultimately leads not only their edification but the edification (building up) of us all. 


Vs. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 

If there need to be any justification for the Apostle's command there is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who did not please Himself, and thus demand His Rights and Privileges as Lord of heaven and earth when He was took on mortal flesh and became a Man amongst us. Instead Jesus bore the reproaches of those who reproached God on Himself. Therefore quoting from the second half of Psalm 69:9, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that Jesus bore those reproaches on Himself when He was crucified for every blasphemy against God, and Himself, on the cross. The principal then is if Christ did not seek to please Himself but God His Father in seeking all our well-being, so should we seek to please God by seeking our brethrens well being.

Vs. 4  "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." 

The Holy Scriptures are given us for our learning, (that is for our instruction on not just moral and ethical issues, but on How God works in real life situations and problems). And so it is that through the Scriptures we also learn and discern how God is working in our lives. Thus it is that through the Scriptures we also find patience (that is the ability to endure while under trying circumstances) and comfort (that is we are encouraged, consoled) and ultimately have hope. Therefore if your not in God's Word during your difficult times, you are not giving yourself access to the very things that God wants to minister to you in your difficult times, and that is patience, comfort, and hope. 


Vs. 5-6  5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And so it is through the Scriptures that we not only meet with the God of all patience and comfort but we also come to be like-minded towards each other, through the very Word and things that are Christ Jesus. And so it is that according to Christ Jesus we must regard and treat each other in both good and difficult times (consider 2 Cor 13:11; Eph. 4:3; Phil 2:2; 1 Peter 3:8). For the Apostle's prayer here is for our unity and peace amongst ourselves, so that we may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we must not let our views on non-essential things, undermine our collective desires to worship and praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one heart, one mind, and one mouth. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.


Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

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