Bible Studies

Closing Words of Admonition and Encouragement

by Henry Jaegers
02/27/25
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Studies in the Book of Romans

By Henry Jaegers

Chapter 15

Closing Words of Admonition and Encouragement

  A Sign of Christian Maturity (Verses 1 through 3)

   We, then, who are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.

 These admonitions appear to be connected to what was taught in the previous chapter. One of the signs that we are growing spiritually is our ability to forsake our own desires to help those who are weaker in their times of misunderstanding and experiences. Those who are strong refer to those who have passed through various struggles themselves and have the experience and understanding to give instruction and perhaps steps of action to help them find a way out.

 And in so instructing, we have the example of Christ as a guide to help us to do so.

 The Importance of Scripture (Verse 4)

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

 Here is a verse that has a wide application to the importance of the Word of God in the learning process of our earthly pilgrimage. It reminds us of several important matters.

 The first that comes to mind is that the Scriptures of the Old Testament and the New Testament are equally important. There is a tendency to classify the one from the other. Some think that one is for the Jewish nation and another is for the Christian. So, we must dismiss that kind of teaching from our minds.

 The second is that we must study all of scripture, keeping it in its intended setting.

 We must gain an understanding of its intended meaning as God spoke it.

 Third, as we become familiar with all of Scripture, we are clearly able to understand difficult portions as they were used in the past.

 Fourth, although times change, God does not We must not try to fit Scripture into the times in which we live and thus try to apply it to our times. When God says certain things in the Old Testament regarding Himself, it does not mean that He changes.

 All Scripture is the absolute foundation for knowing and understanding truth. It is the true source of wisdom and understanding, and we must guard it as precious treasure in our hearts.

  Living in Harmony (Verses 5 through 7)

  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

The God of Patience and comfort enables us to live in harmony with one another. He is the source of our ability to do likewise. Perhaps there is a tendency to come into conflict with another due to our temperaments and way of thinking. When taking it to an extreme, we find ourselves in conflict. Often, this is found in marriages where irreconcilable differences become the reason for separation. In the Christian life, patience and desire to please helps us to avoid such conflicts. God, who calls us to be peacemakers, enables us to discern what is important and what is not. Being a peacemaker takes time, patience, and the desire to be like Christ.

 As Christians, in the church or in any other relationship, we must learn to appreciate others' differences and maybe even welcome them as a means of refining ourselves. Being a peacemaker means sometimes surrendering our desire to be right.

 Surrendering that right takes the power and grace of God.

  Messianic Hope for the Gentiles (Verses 8 through 12)

  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: 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.  And again he says, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.  And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 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.

 The hope of Israel has become the faith of the Gentiles. This verse complements the teachings found in chapters 9 through 11. The coming of the Messiah promised to Israel at first has now become the hope of the Gentile nations. "He came unto His own, and they did not receive Him. But the Gentiles at His coming opened their hearts to Him. Thus, the uncircumcised in the flesh has become the circumcised in heart to bring hope to those who have rejected Him.

 And now we have prophesied of a people composed of both Jews and Gentiles, eventually becoming the glorified body of Christ, together giving praise and honor to God.

  Rejoicing in their Completeness. (Verses 13 and 14)

  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. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

 This verse follows and completes the previous verse in that Paul is rejoicing that, at one time, the joining of Jews and Gentiles seemed to be something that could not happen. But now, in Christ, as true believers, they have the full benefits and endowments afforded to all believers. They are full of hope and endowed with power through the operation of the Holy Ghost. Paul prays that their lives will continue with joy and peace since they have believed and fully embraced Christ.

  Best of all, these believers, by their lives, give evidence that Paul's labor among them was not in vain.

  Paul Reminds Them of His Call and Mission (Verses 15 through 21)

  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.  I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.  Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:  But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

 Although Paul was a Jew from Birth, he reminds them that God has commissioned him for this particular work: ministering to the Gentiles. The word "Nevertheless" emphasizes that though he was a Jew by birth, God raised him to be His envoy to the Gentiles.

 These words are a testimony from Paul, who gives Glory to God for all that has been accomplished since that call to "Come over and help us." And it truly was a call confirmed by the work that took place within the hearts of the people. Paul ventured forth where no man had gone before, carefully guarding himself against treading upon the work of God started by others. Although, in some cases, he contributed, he was careful not to claim the work performed by others as his own. Through this, he was greatly beloved by all who benefited from him.

 Think of all these churches in Macedonia to which God gave him a special call when, at that time, it seemed like all the doors for opportunity were being closed. Then, at Derbe, he had a vision, and that was the beginning of it all.

 And now, in retrospect, he rejoices greatly as he views God's work continuing, even after he was no longer present with them.

  Paul's Anticipated Visit to Rome. (Verses 22 through 25)

  For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey and to be brought on my way thitherward by you if first I am somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

 At this writing,Paul expresses his desire and determination to visit them. Paul has written to this church while still in Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem. So, at the time of writing this portion, Paul was on his way. But many difficulties happened along the way. Eventually, he came to Rome but was under guard while he was there. During that time, he could minister to a few, but we are not told if he ever got to be with these Roman Christians.

 Although Paul was deeply involved with these, he appears to have never met them in a face-to-face relationship.

  A Demonstration of Generosity. (Verses 26 through 29)

   For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints who are at Jerusalem. It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

 It is beautiful when several churches band together to help more unfortunate saints endure their trials. The church at Jerusalem was in the midst of Hostile Jews. When Paul finally visited them, he was taken hostage by the Jews, and that is where his journey to Rome began. Not to visit the Christians but to plead for his life before Caesar.

 It was the example of the Macedonians to which Paul referred in their generosity to help the impoverished saints dwelling in Jerusalem. In these verses, Paul admonishes the saints of Rome to take part in that act of love as displayed by the Macedonians.

 Knowing the spirituality displayed by these Roman Christians, giving to the needs of their struggling brothers in Christ would produce no opposition from them.

  I'm always amazed at the outstanding generosity displayed by the Jews in this matter of worship. This is seen while preparing for the building of the Tabernacle. They were told to stop giving, for their generosity exceeded the need.

   Paul's Closing Admonition. (Verses 30 through 32)

  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

 These words appear to be the last ones Paul wrote. There are a few things of note to observe.   

 First, Paul still anticipates and hopes for the time when he can visit them in person. This whole letter appears to be one in transition. In other words, as he continues his journey toward Rome, additions are being made to this letter, and these final words seem to be a postscript to what has already been said.

 Second, he asks for prayer for him as he journeys toward his time in Rome. He anticipates difficulty along the way. And as we read the last chapters of the book of Acts, we have a historical analysis of what Paul faced in his venture toward Rome.

 He closes with a word of continued anticipation that he might finally be with them.

 In my daily meditations, I recall that Paul met with them. However, my research and study have not made it possible for me to recall where I discovered this. And though I cannot recall where I saw this, perhaps we might conclude, without sufficient evidence for the time, that Paul experienced some fulfillment of this hope, as we see him, while in Centurian custody, was able to continue his preaching in a limited way. And maybe God finally granted him that request. The answer is not at present for us to proclaim and must be left as God intended.

 Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has given an extensive study in great detail on this whole book of Romans. I wanted to see what he had to say concerning these last two chapters in Romans. What I discovered was a discourse on Romans 15:4.

 So, I guess I am on my own to discover how to close this book of Romans. I have decided to treat Romans Chapter 16 as an appendix, and we will close this book with that. I will send you a copy of this as an eBook when I publish it in the next little while.