Bible Commentaries
Romans 15

Verse 1

5:1 Rom 15:1. This is virtually the same as chapter 14:21.

Verse 2

5:2 Rom 15:2. Please his neighbor is to be accomplished by respecting his views on the matters discussed in the preceding chapter. This will have the effect of edifying him, or building him up in his service to the Lord. Such a result would be the opposite to that set forth by the comments at verse 16 of that chapter.

Verse 3

5:3 Rom 15:3. None of the things Christ did for man brought Him any selfish pleasure. The quotation is from Psa 69:9. Many of the passages of David are worded as if they pertained to his own experiences. To some extent they do so apply, but the main thought is that they are prophecies to be fulfilled in his illustrious descendant, Jesus the Christ. Thee and me in our verse means God and Christ. The reproaches that were aimed at the Father were like arrows that missed their mark and struck the Son.

Verse 4

5:4 Rom 15:4. Paul had just quoted from the Psalms, therefore we know his word aforetime means the things written in the Old Testament. Learning is from DIDASKALIA, and Thayer defines it, "teaching, instruction." They were not written, then, as our law, for this whole book is in opposition to that. But by learning of God's dealing with his servants in old time, and observing how they came through their trials by the help of God, the disciples of Christ may be encouraged to press on in their own duties, even though unpleasant sometimes, in the hope of a life of joy and freedom from trial in the world to come. If God caused these Old Testament things to be recorded for our learning, it is our duty to study and learn them.

Verse 5

5:5 Rom 15:5. Likeminded is similar to the thought in chapter 12:16. The brethren should be united in their care for each other, and to have that unity according to Christ Jesus. Such a mutual consideration for each other will cause them to suppress their personal preference and give their attention to the instructions of the Lord.

Verse 6

5:6 Rom 15:6. Being united in mind concerning the things of God and Christ, they will also be united in speech (one mouth) in their praise of the Lord.

Verse 7

5:7 Romas 15:7. This is the same as verse 5.

Verse 8

5:8 Rom 15:8. The circumcision is a term meaning the Mosaic system, Jesus was a Jew and his entire life on earth was under that dispensation. To confirm the promises. God promised Abraham that the person who was to bless all the families of the earth should be of his seed (Gen 22:18). Had Jesus come through the Gentile nation, it would not have finned the promise to Abraham.

Verse 9

-11 Rom 15:9-11. The Jewish birth of Jesus fulfilled the promise as to His being of Abraham's seed, and also the offering of the Gospel to the Gentiles fulfilled that part of the promise that "all nations" would be blessed through this seed.

Verse 12

:12 Rom 15:12. This verse pertains to the same promise made to Abraham, but extends it on down to one of his great descendants; for David (the son of Jesse) was a lineal descendant of Abraham to whom the promise was first made. The quotation showing this promise is in Esaias (Isaiah) 11:10.

Verse 13

:13 Rom 15:13. No apostle had been in Rome when this epistle was written, and hence no spiritual gifts were possessed by that church. The power of the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) was exerted through the word of God which is the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17). By believing this word, the brethren could be filled with joy and peace, all of which would give them their hope.

Verse 14

:14 Rom 15:14. Paul had much confidence in the brethren at Rome, and wrote this complimentary passage for their encouragement.

Verse 15

:15 Rom 15:15. Notwithstanding his confidence in them, Paul thought it well to stir up their minds on the important matter. Being favored with the apostolic work under God, Paul was acting properly in thus writing to the brethren.

Verse 16

:16 Rom 15:16. Paul's special mission was to the Gentiles (chapter 11:13; Act 9:15), and most of the brethren in Rome were of that nation. Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Act 11:15-18 records the giving of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles, which was a public announcement from God that. the Gentiles would be acceptable Gospel subjects.

Verse 17

:17 Rom 15:17. Paul gloried (took great pleasure) in the work among the Gentiles, especially sirce that constituted the things pertaining to God.

Verse 18

:18 Rom 15:18. Nat dare to speak . . . not wrought by me. He would not take credit for work that had been done by others.

Verse 19

:19 Rom 15:19. His own field of labor had furnished him much cause for rejoicing. That work had been performed under God through the aid of the Spirit of God, inspiring him. The territory Paul mentions had not been "covered" by other preachers, hence it was virtually new territory where the apostle felt free to labor.

Verse 20

:20 Rom 15:20. By working in new fields he would not be building on another man's foundation. This idea is also set forth in 2Co 10:15-16.

Verse 21

:21 Rom 15:21. These new fields were predicted in Isa 52:15.

Verse 22

:22 Rom 15:22. For which cause refers to his plan to confine his labors to new fields, so that he did not have time to make the journey to Rome until the present.

Verse 23

:23 Rom 15:23. Having no more place in these parts denotes the field had 'been "worked out," so he was free to go elsewhere in his labors.

Verse 24

:24 Rom 15:24. This purpose of Paul was never accomplished that we have any substantial account of, nor any record of labors performed in that territory.

Verse 25

:25 Rom 15:25. This ministering was to consist in taking some contributions from various brethren, and delivering them to the saints (disciples) at Jerusalem.

Verse 26

:26 Rom 15:26. This verse tells who were making the contributions, namely, the disciples in Macedonia, and those in another Greek country called Achaia.

Verse 27

:27 Rom 15:27. Their debtors they are means the brethren in the countries named are indebted (under obligation) to the poor saints at Jerusalem. The latter had supplied the former with spiritual things (the Gospel), now in turn they should help them with carnal (temporal) necessities of life. This is exactly the same as Gal 6:6.

Verse 28

:28 Rom 15:28. See the comments at verse 24.

Verse 29

:29 Rom 15:29. No fuller blessing could be brought to a community, than that provided by the Gospel of Christ that Paul was preaching.

Verse 30

:30 Rom 15:30. Paul here teaches that the prayers of disciples in behalf of each other are one means of having a part in their labors for the Lord.

Verse 31

:31 Rom 15:31. Paul expected to encounter some foes in Judea. He accounts for this opposition by the fact that they were unbelievers. He also desired to be understood and received by the saints in that region.

Verse 32

:32 Rom 15:32. By the will of God denotes that he would be able to carry out the desire as to visiting the brethren in Rome "if the Lord will."

Verse 33

:33 Rom 15:33. This is an expression of good will. There is only one God, so the expression God of peace means that he is such a God.