We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Verse 1
Not to please ourselves; not to act merely with reference to pleasing ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Verse 3
Since Christ endured reproach and suffering for us, we ought to have a kind and tender regard for each other.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Verse 5
According to Christ Jesus; in accordance with the Spirit manifested by him.
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 6
With one mind and one mouth; with one mind and one voice.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
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:
Verse 8
Was a minister of the circumcision; of the Jewish people. In his mission to this world, he fulfilled the designs and promises of God in respect to the Jews.
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.
Verse 9
And that the Gentiles, &c.; that is, he came for the benefit of the Gentiles also, that they might find mercy in God, in accordance with what was always his design, as is shown from the passages quoted in the Romans 15:9-12; Psalms 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 117:1; Isaiah 11:10.
And again he saith, 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.
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.
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,
Verse 15
The grace; the trust or commission, viz., the one mentioned in the Romans 15:16.
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.
Verse 17
Which pertain to God; to the kingdom of 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.
Verse 19
Illyricum was beyond Macedonia, towards the north.
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.
For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
Verse 22
For which cause; that is, on account of having been engaged in giving the publication of the gospel the greatest possible extension.
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
Verse 23
No more place; that is, none specially requiring his presence and labors.
Whensoever 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 be somewhat filled with your company.
Verse 24
Thitherward; towards Spain.
But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Verse 25
To minister unto the saints; to minister to their wants, by carrying a contribution. The circumstances of this contribution are referred to in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Cor. chap. 8: 9:
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
It hath 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.
Verse 28
Sealed to them; secured to them.
And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
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.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.