Almost done. Yes, next week the last chapter of Romans will be live for you to study. But today, this one, on denial of self on behalf of others. Lord, help us.
Please read Romans 15:1-3
Self-denial on Behalf of Others
1 Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “The reproaches of those who reproached You (the Father) fell on Me (the Son).”
Strength here is confidence and convictions that you can live this way without also including all the practices of the old covenant requirements. Encouraging one another and helping one another, we are to build one another up and always be loving and kind.
Please read Romans 15:4-6
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The whole of the Bible is there for us to be encouraged. And if you read it sometimes you can also find endurance. But whether you do or not, you can know that God provides that and the encouragement so that we will be of the same mind with Christ.
Please read Romans 15:7-12
7Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers, 9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written,
“Therefore I praise You among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.”
10Again it says,
“Rejoice and celebrate, O Gentiles, along with His people.”
11And again,
“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him!”
12 Again Isaiah says,
“There shall be a root of [b]Jesse,
He who arises to rule [as King] over the Gentiles,
In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
Jesus is Lord and King of all of the Earth. Rejoice and celebrate, Praise Him, for in Him we have everything to Hope for for both now and forever.
Please read Romans 15:13
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
This verse should be posted somewhere you can see it all the time. It’s both prayer and a reason to praise. Let’s just do a quick break down of it.
May the God of Hope…
not just endurance and encouragement, but Hope and Joy and Peace too, and power and mercy and grace too.
Fill you with all Joy and Peace
because He can and who doesn’t want Joy and Peace?
In believing [through the experience of your faith]
faith that is experienced is always Joy and Confidence bringing. Try this: ask Jesus to surprise you and then watch. Look for it. Every time I’ve asked, He’s answered in a way that grows my Faith and brings Joy and Confidence.
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
who lives within you and is more than happy to assist faith experiences and enjoy the Joy and Encouragement you will receive in that experience.
You will abound in hope
And yes, you will abound in hope over it too.
and overflow with confidence in His promises.
because His Promises are worth all our Hope, Joy and Praise. And will often bring Peace because His Promises are just that good. They’re all over Scripture. Go searching. Ask Him to help you find what you need to see.
Please read Romans 15:14-16
14Personally I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another. 15Still, on some points I have written to you very boldly and without reservation to remind you [about them] again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit.
I want to be full of goodness, amply filled with all Spiritual knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct others. Well, not so much admonish, but counsel and instruct. What about you?
Please read Romans 15:17-21
17In Christ Jesus, then, I have found [legitimate] reason for boasting in things related [to my service] to God. 18For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed, 19with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] in the power of the Spirit. So [starting] from Jerusalem and as far away as [c]Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel [faithfully preaching the good news] of Christ [where it had not before been preached]. 20Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture],
“They who had no news of Him shall see,
And they who have not heard [of Him] shall understand.”
Even Paul made goals. 🙂 Did you make goals for this year? I did and so far, well, this one is on target. The others are a little behind and in some ways not as easy as this one.
Please read Romans 15:22-29
22This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome]. 23But now, with no further place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you— 24whenever I go [on my trip] to Spain—I hope to see you as I pass through [Rome], and to be helped on my journey there by you, after I have first enjoyed your company for a little while. 25But for now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Jewish believers). 26For [Gentile believers in] [d]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then they are indebted to serve them also in [tangible] material things. 28Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29I know that when I do come to you, I will come in the abundant blessing of Christ.
First this, then I will come then I will go, all in the abundant blessing of Christ. Walking through his plan, even if he doesn’t yet know he won’t reach Spain. But whether it’s him or you, we all go in the abundant blessing of Christ.
Please read Romans 15:30-33
30I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf, 31[and pray] that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints (Jewish believers) there; 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company. 33May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.
Praying for each other is an honor we all have. Some more specific, like his for safety and others, we may not know, but intercessory prayer is always something we can do for others.
Footnotes
[a] Romans 15:2 -Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. – I.e. all those with whom we have contact.
[b] Romans 15:12 -a root of [b]Jesse, He who arises to rule [as King] over the Gentiles, – Jesse was the father of David the king, and Jesus (the Messiah) was a descendant of David.
[c] Romans 15:19 -as far away as [c]Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel – Located nearly 1,400 miles from Jerusalem, Illyricum was a Roman province of economic and strategic importance. It was a large region north of Macedonia located between the Adriatic Sea and the Danube River, and was known for its commercial seaports and gold mines. The great Roman road, Via Egnatia, started in Illyricum and ran eastward to Byzantium.
[d] Romans 15:26 -For [Gentile believers in] [d]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem. – In addition to Macedonia and Achaia some churches in Asia Minor also contributed to this offering.
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