“A Survey of the Book of Romans” Romans 15:1-6 Paul’s Exhortation to Serve and Honor, Part I

In this hortatory section, beginning in verse 1, Paul exhorts the believers with a strong conscience to respect the scruples of Christians whose weaker consciences restrict them.  Paul previously addressed principles to guide behavior regarding actions in which Christians disagreed (Romans 14:1-23).  Some Christians believed it was proper to eat all kinds of foods; others, with weak consciences, refrained from meat and ate only vegetables (v. 2).  Some considered that every day was to be esteemed with equal value; others observed certain days as holy or special (v. 5).  These attitudes and practices were not sinful in themselves, but they could cause divisions.  Paul urged that both the strong and weak believers receive each other in love, each respecting the other’s convictions and allowing God to be the Judge of all behavior (Romans 14:3-4, 10-11).

With this context in mind, Paul again urged the strong in Romans 15:1 to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to act to please self.  The strong brother could eat meat without violating his conscience.  The weak could not; and if he violated his conscience by eating, he would be sinning (Romans 14:23).  The strong, therefore, was to refrain from eating meat in the presence of the weak, lest he lead him into sin.  Paul taught that the edification of neighbors was more important than fulfilling his own pleasures (v. 2).  In the edification or building up of one’s neighbors, one also should first of all please God!

In verses 3-4, some of Paul’s readers may have despised the idea of forgoing the exercise of their spiritual liberties for the sake of others, but he reminded them that “even Christ pleased not Himself” (v. 3).   Christ’s sacrificial ministry was about serving others and putting aside His Divine privileges (Mark 10:45).  If Jesus made such sacrifices, surely we should be willing to make minor sacrifices for others (Philippians 2:1-8).

As proof of Christ’s self-sacrificing attitude, Paul quoted from Psalm 69:9 – “The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon Me.”  Christ truly did bear the reproaches of ungodly men (Romans 15:3).  Jesus bore the constant insults of unbelievers during His life and death.  He bore them patiently because He determined not to please Himself.  Having drawn encouragement for Christians from Christ’s example as foretold in the Psalm, Paul wrote more broadly of encouragement drawn from scriptures (Romans 15:4).  As Christians with a settled assurance in God’s word, we gain patience because we are convinced that what God has promised, He will do.  One who stands in this assurance will certainly gain patience and experience comfort.

As Paul prays in verses 5 and 6, he expresses his desire that God would grant like-mindedness or unity.  Paul referred to God as “the God of patience and consolation.”  “Patience” means endurance under pressure; “consolation” is encouragement or comfort.  God is indeed the source of endurance and encouragement, but He dispenses them through His word.  One who neglects Bible study cannot expect to have strength to endure under pressure or to be encouraged in the changing circumstances of life.  When believers are drawn to God through the resources of His word, they also are drawn to one another.  They become “likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5).  Like-mindedness after the pattern of Christ will enhance the effectiveness of the church.  Paul prayed that the Romans might “with one mind and one mouth glorify God” (Romans 15:6).  Despite their continued differences in diet and observances, they could lay these aside to worship God united.  “One mind (accord) and one mouth” emphasizes unity of purpose, which enables Christians to glorify God together.  The highest privilege of the church anyway is to glorify God (Romans 15:6), which means to esteem or magnify Him through word and action.  God is especially honored before men when we display love for our fellow believers (St. John 13:35).

May God Bless!