Romans 15:1-13
I am amazed at Paul’s command of Scripture. In a span of just four verses (9b-12) he quotes from II Samuel, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and twice from Psalms. Understand, folks, he did not have Google to search electronically for “Gentiles”. He KNEW where to find those specific verses. Amazing!!
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (v. 1) “…not to please ourselves.” I thought about this concept over and over when we were a two-service congregation. Was our church service supposed to be about making ourselves happy or about bringing in new people? Now, frankly, I don’t know whether outsiders (especially younger singles and families) would more appreciate the contemporary music of the second service or would prefer the traditions and structures associated with the first service (as I have seen quoted from sources outside our congregation). But the point to be made is that we should have been tailoring our services toward bringing in those outsiders – whatever form that might have taken. So even now, down to one service, if there’s something we don’t like we need to ask ourselves whether it’s our preferences that dominate or our outreach.
For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (v. 3) Those of you who are reading from the ESV translation (the one we use most often at St. Andrew’s) have lower-case letters on “himself”, “you”, and “me”. In general the ESV does not capitalize pronouns referring to God – to any of the three persons – and I think that’s unfortunate. I suppose the intent is to not bias the reader, but I disagree. If you go back to the Isaiah quote in verse 3, the “you” in that verse refers to God and the “me” refers to his “suffering servant”. Paul identifies the suffering servant as Jesus and the quote with capital letters makes complete sense. So, read the NASB, the anointed version, complete with Deific pronouns capitalized…!!
Slava Bohu!
Great points, Fred, especially about the NASB. I looked at v. 4 about reading the scriptures. The more we know about God’s past faithfulness and love builds up our confidence or trust in what he is doing and will do. Glorifying and accepting Jesus’s lordship v. 6, means to share His values and perspectives. About His love for Gentiles and the whole world, sinners, especially those marginalized and most of all spending time together with God.