Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 15:1-33 Inductive Discovery Lesson 19 More on relationships Paul wraps up his comments on Christian conduct by urging believers to be patient and considerate of each other. This is more than a reminder to exercise good manners it s a call to unity by following Jesus example in our relationships. Paul speaks directly to strong believers who have a responsibility to handle their freedom without disregarding the person whose conscience won t allow it. Bringing it to a conclusion Paul s personal closing thoughts give us a glimpse of the man and his heart. He mentions his reason for writing and expresses confidence that they are growing and living for the Lord. He shares his ministry hopes and ambitions with them. He talks about his upcoming trip to Jerusalem and makes some specific prayer requests. He anticipates how pleasant and refreshing it will be to visit them at last. Romans 15:1-33 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1
Working Text for Romans 15:1-33 International Standard Version (ISV) 1 Now we who are strong ought to be patient with the weaknesses of those who are not strong and must stop pleasing ourselves. 2 Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself. Instead, as it is written, THE Psalm 69:9 INSULTS OF THOSE WHO INSULT YOU HAVE FALLEN ON ME. 4 For everything that was written long ago was written for our instruction, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. 5 Now may God, the source of endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you might glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God s truth in order to confirm the promises given to our forefathers, 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, THAT IS WHY I WILL PRAISE YOU AMONG THE GENTILES; I WILL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME. 10 Again he says, REJOICE, YOU GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE! 11 And again, PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YOU GENTILES! LET ALL THE NATIONS PRAISE HIM. 12 And again, Isaiah Psalm 18:49 Deut. 32:43 Psalm 117:1 says, THERE WILL BE A ROOT FROM JESSE. HE WILL RISE UP TO RULE THE GENTILES, AND THE Isaiah 11:10 GENTILES WILL HOPE IN HIM. 13 Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are filled with goodness and full of all the knowledge you need to be able to instruct each other. 15 However, on some points I have written to you rather boldly, both as a reminder to you and because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable because it has been sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore, in Christ Jesus I have the right to boast about my work for God. 18 For I am bold enough to tell you only about what Christ has accomplished through me in the 2
bringing of Gentiles to obedience. By my words and actions, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of God s Spirit, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem as far as Illyricum. 20 My one ambition is to proclaim the gospel where the name of Christ is not known, lest I build on someone else s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written, THOSE WHO WERE NEVER TOLD ABOUT HIM WILL SEE, AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD WILL Isaiah 52:15 UNDERSTAND. 22 This is why I have so often been hindered in coming to you. 23 But now, having no further opportunities in these regions, I have the desire to come to you, as I have had for many years. 24 Now that I am on my way to Spain, I hope to see you when I come your way and, after I have enjoyed your company for a while, to be sent on by you. 25 Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have been eager to share their resources with the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were eager to do this, and in fact they are obligated to help them, for if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to be of service to them in material things. 28 So when I have completed this task and have put my seal on this contribution of theirs, I will visit you on my way to Spain. 29 And I know that when I come to you I will come with the full blessing of Christ. 30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit produces, to join me in my struggle, earnestly praying to God for me 31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 and that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 Now may the God of peace be with all of you! Amen. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, International Standard Version 2000 by the ISV Foundation. Used by permission of Davidson Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 3
Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 15:1-13 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 4
Romans 15:14-21 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 15:22-29 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 5
Romans 15:30-33 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 15:1-33 Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. edification (vs.2) receive one another (vs.7) admonish one another (vs.14) 6
INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 15:1-13 Lesson: Application:? Romans 15:14-21 Lesson: Application:? Romans 15:22-29 Lesson: Application:? Romans 15:30-33 Lesson: Application:? 7
Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 8
Take a Closer Look Memorize Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 NIV Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His requirements, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? 9
Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... Believers may hold different convictions about many matters, but they must hold them in love. - Warren Wiersbe - 10
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