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Romans Part 15: Bearing with Others' Weaknesses
In Part 14, we examined the issue of the "matters of conscience" and what God had to say about them. Since they were issues each believer had to decide for themselves and answer to God alone for, we do not have the right nor are we charged with any duty to condemn another brother or sister for those choices. They are made to God alone, and honored by the Lord so long as we do them wholeheartedly. Now, picking up at the beginning of chapter 15, the Lord (through Paul's writings) shows us how we are relate to those not as strong as we are:
"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification." (Romans 15:1-2, NASB, emphasis mine)
The Lord isn't speaking of physical strength per se (although if our brethren need our help physically we should help them!), but strength in their faith and in their hearts. We are not to look down on someone for their weakness, but instead we are to help bear their weakness and strengthen them with encouragement and in prayer, as we are instructed to do in Romans 12:
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." (Romans 12:9-13, NASB, emphasis mine)"
This sets for us an example to follow; one that the Lord Jesus followed Himself during His life on earth:
"For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” 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. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:3-6, NASB, emphasis mine)
Just as the Lord bore our weakness in Himself, we are to bear the weaknesses of others with kindness and compassion. In our sin, we were weak and unable to pay the penalty for sin, separating us from the Father; Jesus paid it for us and thus bore our weakness. In like manner, we are directed to bear the weakness of our brethren; while we cannot "pay the penalty" for their sin, we can bear with them in their weakness and reinforce them with prayer and encouragement, rather than condemnation and disdain.
"Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” Again he says, “REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” And again, “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.” Again Isaiah says, “THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” (Romans 15:7-12, NASB, emphasis mine)
In doing so, we see that we are serving the Lord just as Jesus served the Father by coming to earth, not to die simply for the nation of Israel, but for all peoples, so that all would glorify the Lord and praise His precious, holy name. In the Lord, we are neither Gentile nor Jew, free nor slave, rich nor poor, but we are all the Body of Christ and thus there is no difference between believers. Because of that, we are not to see the weakness of another as a "bother" or a nuisance or even a threat, but rather as an opportunity to serve and a chance to show compassion and mercy, as the Lord showed us poor sinners such compassion and mercy when no one else would have it on us.
Paul then "changes gears" here and on a personal note, relates to the church in Rome why he has written:
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 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. 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, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13- 16, NASB, emphasis mine)
Paul was not doubting the believers in Rome, feeling any need to lecture them on some perceived failing. Rather, his point in writing this was at the behest of the Lord. He was ministering to them, reminding them of the points they needed to preach the Word and thus be good witnesses for the Lord. In doing so, Paul would be bringing the Gentiles to the Lord as the Lord intended Paul to do:
"Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 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, 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 preached the gospel of Christ. And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; but as it is written, “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.” (Romans 15:17-21, NASB, emphasis mine)
Paul speaks of two things here: 1) that he would preach not his own "gospel", but only the one given to him by the Lord, and 2) that he would do so where it had not been preached, so as not build on top of the work another had done, and in doing so, he fulfilled prophecy:
"Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand." (Isaiah 52:15, NASB)
Paul then speaks of his work, and his desire to see the brethren he is writing to in Rome:
"For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 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 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— but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 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. 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. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ." (Romans 15:23-28, NASB, emphasis mine)
We learn in this passage that the Gentiles of Macedonia and Achaia have generously given for the needs of the church at Jerusalem. Paul relates this to the believers in Rome, so that they (as well as us too) can see that Gentile believers are just as much accepted by the Lord as Jewish believers, and that in sharing the spiritual, we are obligated to help in the material as well. We are all equal in the church, regardless of background. Christ's blood saved us all equally, and so we all give as best we can, but we are all to give and to help.
Paul closes out the chapter with his:
"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, that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." (Romans 15:30-33, NASB, emphasis mine)
Here, Paul asks for prayers for two things: the first is that he is having trouble by "those who are disobedient in Judea". It's no secret that Paul was not popular amongst the Jews in Jerusalem, and he made a lot of enemies in his work for the Lord. The fact that a band of men swore not to eat or drink until they had killed him (see Acts chapter 23 for details) in Jerusalem speaks volumes not only of the danger Paul faced in his walk with the Lord, but also points out the sacrifices he made in his desire to see people saved. It's not easy serving the Lord! Jesus Himself was attacked during His ministry, and He promised that it would even make us enemies in our own families!
In Paul's efforts, we see that not only did he strive to do the Lord's work, but that as he instructed us, he too sought to bear the weaknesses of his fellow brethren, and encourage and reinforce them not with condemning words, but reassurance, confirmation of their salvation via scripture and the promises of the Lord, and solid, God-breathed words that the Lord gave Paul to put down on paper for the body to read. As Paul relayed to us from the Lord, we are also to bear with those who are weak, and reinforce them in prayer and encouragement. Paul did not spare himself for those who needed spiritually, and as an example to us, he shows us that we too can walk alongside those whose faith is not as strong, and those who are just plain in need spiritually.
Keep in mind the parable of the Good Samaritan: the neighbor in need is not always the people living next door to us...
In part 16, we wrap up this study series as Paul greets his fellow believers who are on their way to Rome.
I bid you all peace.
YBIC,
-Robert
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I have always said that the way somebody teaches and the Christ-likeness of the character he or she displays is of FAR more importance than the mere doctrine they teach. As the Holy Spirit told us: the spirit of the words is more important than the letter of the words. After all, the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6) It is the Christ-likeness of a person that lets me know that they have spent time in the presence of God, have submitted themselves to Him (note I didn't say they were perfect, just obedient), and indeed have a message from Him to us. There are a lot of people who know the Word but lack the manner of Christ in its proclamation. They falsely—and foolishly—believe that their harshness in dealing with others is actually a manifestation of God's love through them. And they attempt to draw some portion of Christ's behavior out of its context and inaccurately use it in an attempt to justify their nature. But all they convey is their flesh. And the flesh stinks as much in man's nostrils as it does in God's.
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Originally Posted by mattfivefour
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