Romans

The purpose of learning doctrine is not just to know what’s true, but also to change our lives. As you remember, Romans 12 through15:14 applies the doctrine of chapters 1-11 to everyday life. This chapter is pretty straight forward so I won’t give much explanation other than some corresponding verses.

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (As discussed in chapter 14, Gal 6:1,2)

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (Eph 4:29; I Cor 10:24)

3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Phil 2:5-8; Ps 69:9)

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, (II Tim 3:16,17; although not always for our application, II Tim 2:15, example Lev 11) that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Example: I Thes 4:18)

5 Now the God of patience and consolation (II Cor 1:3-5) grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (Phil 2:1-5)

6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (This is the goal of the body of Christ, and should be for each of us, it’s members. I Cor 12:19-27; Phil 1:27&2:14-16)

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Rom 14:1)

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision (that’s Israel, Mat 15:24) for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (The kingdom on earth that was promised the fathers will include the Gentiles too, but unlike today’s program, they will not be on equal footing with the Jews. Gen 15:18; Is 2:1-4; 11:4-9; 35:4-6; 60:12,18; 61:6)

9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (Ps 18:49)

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.(Is 11:10)

In the prophesied kingdom on earth, Israel will lead the other nations to God, (Zech 8:22,23; Mat 28:19,20) just as in our age, the stronger brethren should help the weaker ones to rejoice in Him. (II Cor 1:24; Rom 1:11,12) Both programs show unity of purpose - to glorify God.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. How does the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit) do this?

The Spirit shows us from God’s word what God has freely given us. (I Cor 2:12) When we believe it, we see that our future (our hope) is certain and glorious. This knowledge transforms our viewpoint from self centered grumbling, to rejoicing, regardless of our circumstances. (Rom 8:31-38) So the power of the Holy Ghost is in the word of God to change our inner man. (I Thes 2:13; II Cor 4:16-18; Rom 16:25)

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, (Eph 5:9) filled with all knowledge, (Col 1:9,10) able also to admonish one another. (I Thes 5:11,14)

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, (Eph 3:7-9; I Tim 1:11-16; Col 1:25-27) that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Previously the Gentiles’s approach to God was not acceptable (Eph 2:11,12) because they did not have the word of God for the Holy Ghost to work with. Only the Jews did. (Ps 147:19,20; Rom 3:1,2). But now God is sending a message to the Gentiles! (Acts 17:30-31)

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. (Rom 11:13; II Cor 12:3-6)

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, (II Cor 12:12) by the power of the Spirit of God; (vs.13) so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Paul wrote Romans during Acts 20,21, during the diminishing of Israel, (Rom 11:12), when God verified Paul’s message with signs and wonders for Israel. (I Cor 1:22; Ex 34:10 ) As Israel diminished, so did their signs and wonders. (Example: I Cor 14:21,22&13:8-10)

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. (Is 52:15)

22 For which cause (preaching to new people) also I have been much hindered from coming to you (in Rome. Read how busy Paul was in Acts 13-20.)

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you; for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

(See on a map where Jerusalem, Rome and Spain are. Read in Acts 21-28 what happened to Paul in Jerusalem, and how he finally got to Rome. Phil 1:12-14; 4:22)

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (II Cor 8:1-5; 9:1-2; Acts 11:27-30) Why the poor saints at Jerusalem?? Because they had sold their possessions in expectation of the earthly kingdom, (Luke 12:33; Acts 2:44,45), and suffered great persecution. (Acts 8:1) Then when their kingdom was postponed and the Gentile message introduced, they had nothing.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Did Paul ever get to Spain? No body knows. But his message did by the time he wrote Col 1:23)

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. (Rom 1:10-16)

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That (1) I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that (2) my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

32 That (3) I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. (Did God miraculously grant these 3 requests?)