Yesterday we looked at the primary imperatives of our text for the week: the strong are obligated to bear with the failings of the weak and they are both to welcome one another. Paul's basis for each is none other than Jesus himself. This we will explore today.
Romans 15:1–13
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
First, in verse 3 Paul bases his imperative for the strong to please their neighbors for their good and to build them up, in the actions of Jesus. Jesus, God in flesh, had every right to come to earth and do whatever he wanted. He could have come as a conquering king, overthrown the Roman government to establish a kingdom greater than Solomon's even. He could have come and immediately demanded worship and celebrity treatment. But he didn't. He was born in a stable. He was despised and rejected by his own people. He came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He humbled himself by being made man. He humbled himself further by dying. He humbled himself even further by dying an excruciating, publicly humiliating death on a cross.
Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 here which talks of a righteous sufferer who suffers at the hands of those who mock God. The righteous one is forsaken by his friends and attacked by his foes. This Psalm is used often in by the NT authors to describe the events of the cross (Matt. 27:34, 48; Mark 15:23, 36; Luke 23:36; John 2:17; 15:25; 19:29; Acts 1:20; Rom. 11:9). At the cross Jesus took the taunts and the mockery directed at God.
In verse 5 Paul says that living in harmony with one another is to live "in accord with Jesus Christ." That is when we live in harmony with one another in spite of our differences we are living like Jesus, in the way that he taught us and showed us.
In vv 7-9 he also bases his imperative to welcome one another in Christ himself. He tells them to welcome one another "as Christ has welcomed you." Christ has welcomed both the Jews and Gentiles into the people of God. Nobody is excluded based on their ethnicity or adherence to the Law of Moses. Verse 8 references the fact that Jesus' ministry was primarily to the Jews to fulfill the Jewish Scriptures which point to the redemption of all the nations beginning first with the people of Israel. This Paul has already thoroughly expounded theologically in chapters 9-11.
Romans 9:4 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
Romans 10:12 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
So what he says here in 15 is the natural outworking of that theology. Because Jesus is the Lord of all, because salvation is by faith in him, not by adherence to the Law and the ways of Israel, the Gentiles are accepted into the family as well as the Jews. If Jesus accepts both of them, who are they to reject one another? Right theology must lead to right living.
Basically, Jesus is pretty great! We should follow his lead. WWJD
Additional Content
Bible Project Podcast on the Family of God
Reflection
Reflect on the grace of Jesus in accepting you. Reflect on your determination to be like him. If we aspire to be like Jesus that means being willing to give up our privileges to benefit others. That means welcoming those with whom we have differences over disputable matters. Just think about how awesome Jesus is and how much of your mess that he gives you grace for. Then commit to trying to love people like Jesus loves you.
Audio
ff to 5:48 for additional content