Rom. 15:1-6, A Prayer for our Church to be Like-Minded (2)

What moves Paul to pray?

The answer involves Paul’s love for the Church (2 Cor. 11:28).  He had never been to Rome at this point.  Yet he was concerned about this issue of the weak and the strong.  So, Rom. 14:1 and 15:1 provide the occasion.

What request does Paul make? “to be like-minded toward one another”

Literally, he is asking God to give them the “same mind.”  To think the same thing.  You might wonder about this, as if it’s necessary?  It is.  Note that the like-mindedness is directed to each other.  Whether weak or strong, we are all to have the same attitude to the other.  In other words, this is such a fundamental “like-mindedness” that it does not require maturity.  It is an attitude that can be had by all.  What attitude is this?  Let’s move to the next question …

Does Paul put any conditions on the request? “acc. to Christ Jesus”

The attitude we are to have is the one Jesus had.  It is the exact same word (mind) as in Phil. 2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.  It is the mindset Jesus displayed in John 13, when He shared the Passover meal with His disciples.  The first thing Jesus did after supper was not to begin teaching.  The first thing was, He washed the disciples feet (John 13:2-4).  When He finished, what did He say?  You call Me Teacher and Lord and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet (Jn. 13:13-14).  He DID that before He said, Love one another as I have loved you (Jn. 13:34-35).  Paul said this in Rom. 12:16: Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Three times the “mind” word is in this verse: twice translated “mind” and once “opinion.”  Think about this.  Wow, how I need to hear this, repeatedly!

How can this prayer be answered? “God … grant you to be …”

God must do this.  He will do it through His word (v4).  And He will do it in the open hearts of those who are obedient (Rom. 12:16; Phil. 2:5 and John 13:13-14 above all involved commands to be like-minded).

What will be accomplished when this request is fulfilled?

The answer: with one mind and mouth they will glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is not glorified when we go our own way, when we treat one another unkindly, without patience and comfort.  He is glorified when, in spite of our spiritual ages or whatever other human differences we have, we speak out of the mind of Christ.

Almost certainly you can think of situations in your church family where this prayer would be great to pray, beginning with your own Christian relationships.