Romans 15:1-13 Lesson 310

Romans 15:1-13
Lesson 310

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Fellowship, unity.
Help fellow believers (15:1-4).

Look for the short prayers in this passage.

This lesson ends the "practical applications of Christian faith" (how to live) segment begun with verse 12:1 (lesson 307).

Jesse.

A stained glass window in All Saints Church, Hove, Sussex, England, representing the Tree of Jesse.

Who was -

Jesse -
Jesse was an essential figure in the Old Testament. From Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1), Jesse was the son of Obed (Ruth 4:17; 4:22; 1 Chronicles 2:12; Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32). He had eight sons (1 Samuel 17:12); the youngest was King David (Matthew 1:6). Jesse raised sheep, and young David acted as his shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11; 17:34). Isaiah 11:1
and 11:10 foretold that the Messiah would be descended from Jesse. Jesus was that descendant.

Study Tip:

Review past lessons; it helps tie the Bible together.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Romans

The King James Bible

Romans 15:1-13
Please others

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Margin notes:

"Bear the infirmities of the weak." (15:1) - Believers who are strong (mature) in their faith should help those who are weak (new or immature) with their faith.

"It is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." (15:3) - This is a prophecy from Psalm 22:6, and 69:9, predicting that Jesus would suffer at the hands of those who "reproached" God.

"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." (15:4) - "The Scriptures written in the past were written for our edification." See also 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." (15:5) - A short but compelling prayer for church unity, similar to the appeal found in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

"Glorify God." (15:6) - "Praise God."

"Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us." (15:7) - "Accept one another, as Christ accepted us." In other words, love people for who they are. Jesus accepts us, even though we're sinners.

"Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers." (15:8) - Jesus was sent as a servant to the circumcised (Jews) and to fulfill God's promises, as prophesized in the Old Testament. See also Matthew 15:24.

"It is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name." (15:9) - It is written in 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49 that Gentiles will be offered salvation through God's promise to Jews.

"Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people." (15:10) - From Deuteronomy 32:43.

"Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people." (15:11) - From Psalm 117:1, telling us that the God of the Jews is also the God of Gentiles.

"There shall be a root of Jesse. (15:12) - "There will be a descendant of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1; 11:10)."  Jesus was that descendant.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (15:13) - A small prayer asking for joy, peace, and hope.  By putting God first in their lives, Christians find joy, peace, and hope. This is an excellent verse to meditate on when feeling hope is gone.

New Living Translation

Romans 15:1-13
Living to Please Others

1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.

2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

3 For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me."

4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.

9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

  "For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
      I will sing praises to your name."

10 And in another place it is written,

  "Rejoice with his people,
      you Gentiles."

11 And yet again,

  "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.
      Praise him, all you people of the earth."

12 And in another place Isaiah said,

  "The heir to David's throne will come,
      and he will rule over the Gentiles.
   They will place their hope on him."

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Should our goal be to "please" our neighbor? (15:4)

Study the Bible daily. These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. No, our goal should be to please God (Galatians 1:10). Christians should never abandon the Scriptures in order to please others. Paul's point is that Christians should put aside their self-interests, minor differences, and the things of little consequences so that they can help other Christians in their faith.

Application thought for the day:

Seek ways to help other Christians grow in faith, not necessarily by preaching, but by starting a conversation.
When Christians talk and share knowledge, they grow in faith.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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