Romans 15

Question #10: What work is worthy of the gospel? Rom. 15:13-16:27

In this last part of the Epistle to the Romans the Spirit led Paul to illustrate for us the greatest of all “works” for the Christian.  It is the greatest because it is the work that Christ Himself was doing and continues to do to this day.  He said it in Matt. 16:18: I will build My Church!  It involves us because we believe we are included when He commissioned His disciples to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (Matt. 28:19-20).  Paul was deeply connected to this building project.  We know it from statements such as what he made in 2 Corinthians 11:28, after listing his many afflictions (stoning, shipwreck, constant perils), that he said besides all these was what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 

In answer to this final question, Paul gives two answers: his involvement in building the Church globally (15:14-33), and his involvement in building the Church locally (16:1-27).  Remember that back in Romans 1 (v8-16), Paul described the servant of the gospel, again using himself as an example.  He longed to be able to visit Rome and build up the Church in that locality, but was often hindered because of his building up the Church globally. 

·       15:14-33: Encourage the gospel globally.

In this passage Paul gives a report of the work to which he was called (Acts 13:1-4).  It is believed Paul wrote the Romans letter from Corinth, during a 3-month period near the end of his third missionary journey.  At that time he spoke of his hope to journey to Rome (Ac. 19:21), which he also mentions here (15:22).  Paul does report that he had preached the gospel from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum (15:19).  Illyricum was a province of Rome on the Adratic coast north of Greece (NW of “MACEDONIA” on the map).  Acts does not tell us of Paul being there but it could have been on either his second or third missionary journeys.  (See accompanying map.)  He also tells the Romans of his future plans, to go to Jerusalem, then come to them on his way to Spain.  We do know he went to Jerusalem, and then after two years in prison in Caesarea the Roman empire paid his expenses for a voyage to Rome (Ac. 27-28).  Whether he made it to Spain is also unknown.  But the point it: Paul was committed to global evangelism, and he also encouraged local churches to be part of his global ministry (Phil. 1:5; 4:14-20). 

Romans 14

·       13:8-14: love your NEIGHBOR  NOW.

This classic passage on “loving your neighbor” is concerned not so much with “how” to love but rather with the “obligation” and “urgency” of love.  We should consider love for our neighbor to be a debt.  Paul builds on the “second greatest commandment” as well as the “social” commands in the Ten Commandments (#6-10).  He is not issuing a new “law” but telling us that as we walk in the Spirit, the love the Spirit produces in our lives will fulfill the law.

The issue of urgency revolves around the fact that we know not when Christ will return and must, therefore, spend our time usefully for the glory of Christ.  This lifestyle “casts off the work of darkness” and “puts on the armor of light.”  In one thought, it involves putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.  

 

·       14:1-15:14: build up the WEAKER  BROTHER.

The teaching in this passage I believe is summed up in 15:7: Therefore receive one another just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  The specific issue is how we treat a new Christian or one who is “weak in the faith” (14:1).

You might think this problem was unique to the Church in Rome.  But again, I see this as foundational for the Body of Christ in every “local church.”  This was an issue in Judaism.  The leadership was known for their power moves in maintaining their status in the religion.  If we are not mindful of this we will have the same issue in a gathering of believers.  In any “church” there are believers who are at different levels of spiritual maturity.  John referred to them as little children, young men and fathers (1 Jn. 2:12-14).  The writer of Hebrews differentiated between those needing milk and those eating solid food (Heb. 5:12-14).  When we fail to recognize this our churches become known for their fights rather than their nurturing of fellow-believers.  You will see that dealing with this issue involves some great truths about what it means to be a Christian.

·       v15b: the law of love: love one another.

·       v16: the principle of deference: limit freedom for those God called me to serve.

·       v17: the principle of Kingdom priorities: value based on eternal, not temporal.

·       v18: the principle of a good reputation: do what establishes a good name without offending God.

·       v19a: the principle of peace: lay aside dispute for peace in God's family.

·       v19b-20a: the principle of edification: do what builds up those in God's family.

·       v20b-21: the principle of no-offence: Don't be a stumbling block to your brother.

·       v22-23: the principle of faith: if you doubt, don't!

·       v1-2: the principle of pleasure: please your neighbor for edification.

·       v3-4: the principle of Christ-likeness: do what Christ did.

·       v5-7: the principle of the glory of God: seek what honors God.

Romans 13

The diagram in the previous post shows that Romans 12:3-15:14 is concerned with five great relationships we have as we live our lives as believers in Christ.  These are our relationship with our fellow-believers in the Body of Christ, with our enemies, with the governing authorities, with our neighbors, and with fellow-believers in terms of their level of spiritual maturity (i.e. the weaker brother). 

·       12:3-16: love your BROTHER by using your GIFT.

It is clear that Paul’s letter to the Romans is very foundational.  He laid out the gospel with some detail.  His letter to the Galatians was also about the gospel, but it addressed the particular issue of the influence of Judaizers.  In that sense, Galatians rests on the foundation of Romans.  I believe the same thing is true in this latter part of Romans.  For example, the teachings of Body life in 1 Cor. 12-14 rests on the foundation of Romans 12:3-16.  We have posted on this if you want to study it more. (https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/; cf. Dec. 10-11, 2015; June 23, 2016; Oct. 29, 2025.)

We also believe that there was meant to be a connection between the seven gifts and the instructions of Rom. 12:9-16.  While the verse numbers are not part of the original manuscripts, perhaps the one who arranged them could see that each verse 9-15 fits perfectly with encouragement to the use of each of the gifts, and v16 ties it all together.  This passage tells us how to live in fellowship with other believers.

·       12:17-21: love your ENEMY with KINDNESS.

There will always be people with whom we have some level of estrangement.  They may be family members and perhaps fellow-believers, and certainly people of the world.  Jesus called us to love them, and Paul is consistent: the “kindness” is not just an attitude but specific actions of love that keep us from unnecessary offense that would close the door to the gospel.  Each of these five verses has a powerful word from the Lord to encourage us.

·       13:1-7: serve your COUNTRY by doing your DUTY.

Again, this passage is foundational for other passages such as 1 Peter 2:13-17.  Our understanding of what it means to be a good citizen is based in the teaching that governing authorities are appointed by God and that they serve a purpose designed by God.  That purpose has to do with “law and order” in society.  The “exceptions” we always want to talk about (e.g. why the apostles were thrown in jail for preaching the gospel) are not difficult to understand.  In those kinds of cases the “authority” is reaching outside the purpose God designed for him.  Even then, however, you will see that Paul, for example, sought to have a reasonably good relationship with those who imprisoned him, so that they gave him a hearing for the gospel (e.g. Ac. 13:7; 24:24-26).

Psalm 119:97-112

 

Psalm 119:97-104 Mem:  Walk in the Word of God, not in the path of man. 

This stanza begins with the words of one who is seeing Scripture at work in his life in very real ways.  “Oh, how I love Your law!”  I have felt that myself; I have seen it in believers young and old.  When the light comes on, the direction they seek is found, or the path is made clear, there is a deep joy in the heart that cries out, “I love this Book!”

The joy of the Psalmist centers around the clarity he finds in Scripture as opposed to the confusion he finds elsewhere.  God’s people know there are two ways: truth and falsehood (v104), good and evil (v101).  His enemies, his teachers, and the ancients (v98-100) are those whose wisdom is always lacking. 

Rather than following them and going astray the Psalmist has kept his feet from their way (v101).  He has not departed from God’s judgments (v102).  In fact, as strongly as he loves God’s law, with the same intensity he hates every false way (v104).  He has found the word of God to be completely satisfying (v103)

We should consider this ourselves.  The world’s teachers can be quite intimidating to be sure, given their status and power.  After all, the evil and false way is the way of destruction, Broadway Avenue on which most of our acquaintances travel (Mt. 7:13).  And those who travel that road are never happy about those few do-gooders who travel the narrow way of affliction (Psa. 123:3-4; 1 Peter 4:3-4).

In youth it is our peer group exerting pressure to walk with the majority in their pleasures.  In college it is the professor who has crafted a philosophy that denies God and exalts man.  In the workplace it is the successful entrepreneur whose proven track record in attaining wealth and power is the only path to follow.

And yet, do you feel the confidence of the man of the Word?  By God’s commandments, testimonies and precepts he cannot be touched by any of them.  The longer he lives the sweeter are God’s words.  They fit reality.  They keep him from trouble.  They give him success with his Creator for he is taught by God Himself (v102).

He will not be diverted.  The Scriptures are his meditation all the day.  He is confident as he walks the narrow path.  “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31).  Do you walk with this confidence?

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 119:105-112 Nun:  Shine the light of God’s word on your daily path.

Life’s afflictions can be so unrelenting, so difficult.  It seems the Psalmist emphasizes this in this stanza.  He is afflicted “very much” (107).  Fear for his life is constant (109).  Those who afflict him are unmerciful (110).  In the context provided by the opening verse, we can say that he feels he is in the darkest of dark nights.

Several years ago, my wife and I got caught out at night on a trail in Montana.  We had been able to see our way through open areas in the fading light.  But when we entered a thickly forested area; it was pitch black.  We had to spend the night on the trail until morning light.  It would have been good if I had done what I tell others to do: always take a flashlight!  It’s a no-brainer.

Likewise, there are times when we feel as if we are in a dense forest of affliction.  We lose our sense of direction.  We feel we must go on, and yet the darkness is so intense all we can do is wait it out.  Unless, of course, we have had the foresight to pack along a flashlight. 

The Psalmist has his flashlight.  It is the word of God (105).  He is committed to walk in the light (106) to the end of his journey (112).

It is important to note what the Word does for God’s people when they are in the darkness.  They are able to see both their feet and the path they walk.  It reveals to us the exact place we are now in our pilgrimage. 

To use the hiking metaphor again might help us to understand the blessing of the Word.  When hiking it helps to have a map that informs us of the entire journey, as well as a compass to give us our bearings.  These give the big picture.  Every now and then along the way, we may stop for rest and look ahead to see where we are headed.  But then, when we begin again to walk, our eyes must have their main focus on where our feet are at that moment on the trail.  Otherwise, we stumble.  If it is dark, we lose our way and our situation becomes impossible.

We often liken God’s word to a map and a compass, and that it is.  But it also sheds light on the immediate situation.  How vital it is that His word be part of our daily walk.  How important it is that God’s word be hidden in our hearts and fresh in our minds, so that we have His light for every step along the way.