ROMANS 15

Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to bear with one another (strong with the weak), not to please themselves, but to "please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. As Scripture said...Jesus did not please Himself, and

...whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 

Paul prayed that God would grant them to be like-minded toward each other, that they may glorify God. 

Also, they were to receive one another, as Jesus received sinners into the family of God, including Gentiles, whom He showed mercy. 

There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope. 

May the God of hope fill you will joy and peace...that you may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit. 

Paul had confidence in the Roman Christians that they were full of goodness, knowledge, and able to reprove one another. Grace was given to Paul by God to be a minister of the Gentiles and to preach the gospel to them. He planned a visit to Rome but was hindered for awhile. Now he was headed to Jerusalem in hopes to reach more Jews, and thereafter, he planned to stop by Rome on his way to Spain. 

Then he asked that they pray that his work in Jerusalem be acceptable, and that he may come to then with joy by the will of God. 

COMMENTARY

Paul gave more instruction for Christian conduct. He encouraged Christians to "seek the interests of the other man." Edify one another. Also, Jews and Gentiles should be in one body glorifying God. Christians should glorify God in unity. 

Everything written in the Word of God is for our learning and patience, to give comfort and bring hope. 

God receives all men, strong and weak, high and low, Jew and Gentiles, and all should receive one another in fellowship because glorifying God is the main goal. 

God is the God of hope. He is the Rock of Ages, a Shelter in the time of storm. He should fill you with all joy and peace. 

Paul writing letters

 

ROMANS 14

Paul continued: accept those of the faith, including those considered weak, particularly believers clinging to their old religious habits. Disputes about what to eat and what not to eat are non-essential to relationships. Mature believers are strong in faith, and have no problem eating meat, even meat sold in pagan markets. Do not judge those who refuses to eat meat. Who are you to judge the Lord's servants? God will oversee the weaker man. 

This also pertains to those who are still observing certain days, like the Sabbath. Instead, "let each be fully convinced in his own mind." Whatever a believer does, let him do it unto the Lord. This is why Christ died, rose, and lived again. Do not show contempt for your brother because "we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written:

As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.

Therefore, do not judge one another in such matters, or cause a brother to stumble. Everyone shall give account of himself to God.

Paul was convinced, through divine revelation, that nothing common was unclean, but if someone considered it unclean, then to him it was. To be burdened by your brother's conviction regarding drinking, eating, or observances was not walking in love. The kingdom of God is not drinking and eating, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, pursue peace and edify one another. Do not violate your own conscience or condemn those who doubt, because "whatever is not from faith is sin."

COMMENTARY

According to McGee, Paul listed three principles of Christian conduct: conviction, conscience, and consideration. Christians should be convicted about what they do. Does he consider how his behavior will affect others? Was his behavior right or wrong? 

In this chapter, Paul wanted to make sure that those who were weak in faith were embraced into fellowship and not judged because of their convictions. Some matters are questionable and not forbidden in Scripture. 

One may be weak in non-essential matters, but not the gospel truth. One Christian may not agree with the other, but he is not to judge or argue about questionable matters. Whatever a Christian does, he should be fully convinced in his mind that it is right. All will stand before God to give an account of himself. 

Consider your conscience. Is it right for you to do it? Can you do it with joy? Christians should have a clean conscience when they examine their conduct. Any conduct concerning questionable matters that is not from faith is sin.

Paul Writing from Prison

 

ROMANS 12

 Paul instructed Christians to

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

He continued: 

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Paul explained that each Christian is a member of a body of believers, and each Christian has different abilities and "gifts according to the grace that is given to us...[and they are to] use them." This includes speaking forth, ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, and showing mercy.

CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR

Here are more instructions Paul gave regarding how Christians are to live publically:

• love without hypocrisy
• hate evil
• cling to what is good
• be kind and affectionate to each other (brotherly love)
• give preference to one another
• be diligent
• be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
• rejoice in hope
• be patient in trials
• pray continuously 
• support and aid other Christians
• be hospitable
• bless those who persecute you
• rejoice with those who are rejoicing
• weep with those who are suffering
• be impartial towards each other
• avoid being pride-filled, but be with those who are humble
• avoid superious conceit toward other believers
• do not avenge yourselves
• respect what is good and right, especially around unbelievers
• live peaceably with all men, if possible
• again, do not avenge yourselves because vengeance belongs to the Lord. 
• lovingly help your enemies because in doing so "you will heap coals of fire on his head."

And finally

• do not be overwhelmed by evil, but overcome it with good.

COMMENTARY

This section is on Christian conduct or behavior. This refers to the outer man and the precepts of grace. "Enunciation of the way of life must be followed by evidences of life. Announcement of justification by faith must be augmented by activity of life." 

Paul told Christians to yield their bodies (personalities) as living sacrifices, set apart for and well-pleasing to God, which is a reasonable spiritual service. Yielding is the way Christians are consecrated. "The body is the instrument through which we express ourselves," and includes "the mind, affections, and will," which the Holy Spirit can affect. 

Basically, Paul told believers to be normal and natural, be genuine, to reflect outwardly the transformation of what the Holy Spirit is doing inwardly. Don't reflect the world. Reflect Christ. And be an authentic Christian. 

By permitting the Spirit of God to renew the mind, the believer will be able to test the will of God...By yielding, the will of God for the life of the believer becomes good and fits the believer's will exactly...that the believer's will and God's will are equal to each other...be natural and let the Spirit of God move and work through you.

Paul was saying that this is the way to be content and have joy and fullness in your life. He also encouraged believers to test the gifts God gave him or her. If it is not a blessing and you are not building up, maybe that is not your gift. 

Then Paul gave a long list of how Christians are to conduct themselves within the church with other believers and in the world around unbelievers. It's self-explanatory.