Romans 15:26-27 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.            Giving to our local church is not something everyone cares to do. In fact,...

Romans 15:28-33 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from ...

Romans 15:22-27 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— 25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the...

Romans 15:17-21 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully pr...

Romans 15:14-16 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gosp...

Romans 15:7-9 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy…            So it is clear that strong Christians, realizing their freedom in Jesus Christ, recognize their freedom...

Romans 15:5-7 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.In Romans 15:4, Paul writes in reference to OT Scripture, “Whatev...

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Having just quoted from an OT Psalm (69:9) in v. 3 in order to prove the point that Jesus Christ is the believer’s supreme example on how to live for others and not oneself, Paul qualifies what he said by reflecting on this q...

Romans 15:2-3 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”            Why should Christians care about what others think? Why should we strive to build others up instead of enjoying this short life full of Christian freedoms? Simple. It’s what Jesus Chr...

Romans 15:1-2 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.Although Paul has hinted at belonging to what he designates as “strong” (Gr. dunatos) believers (those who rest assured in their freedom in Christ), here in 15:1, for the first time, he is explicit. Addressing h...

1 Corinthians 8:7-13 …Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled… 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble....

Romans 14:19-23 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own convictio...

Romans 14:16-18 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.Divisions inside a church almost always make their way outside the church and cause the church in general to be scoffed a...

Romans 14:15b Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.One ramification for Christians who flaunt their freedom in front of their weaker brothers in Christ is that it can actually “destroy” (Gr. apollumi) the weaker brother. Contrary to acting in a loving way, these Christians act in a most hateful way. In so doing, they miss an opportunity to minister to one “for whom Christ died.” ...

Romans 14:13-15a Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.Addre...