Sunday School notes for Romans 15: 1-7

Romans 15:1-7 KJV
[1] … We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. [4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: [6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. …

Sunday School notes for Romans 15: 1-7

Verse 1-2
In the Christian life we that are strong in the faith are to provide support and if possible lend a hand up to the weak. The strong believer must lay aside any selfish motivation or agenda and seek the welfare of their fellow believers. Our goal should be to build one another up. At times we may have to be patient with a weaker brother or sisters point of view or spiritual maturity in order to help them. We may not agree with them and may see the error of their ways in non-essentials but in order to keep peace and unity, at times we may need not argue the point but just let it go. This can be hard to do but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit. However, there are times when we must confront error with truth.

Verse 3 - Paul is quoting Psalm 69.
Psalm 69:7-9 KJV
[7] Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. [8] I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. [9] For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. …

This psalm of David describes the earthly sufferings of Christ. He endured unwarranted insults from His own people for our benefit. He did not seek what was best for Himself but what honored the Father and best for us.

He is our example, He was insulted for zeal for His Fathers house, we should be willing to bear with one another's weakness's for the building up of one another, which is building up the house of God. Lest we think this is too much to bear we are to consider our Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 12:2-4 KJV
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. [4] Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. …

Now If Jesus the sinless endured this great contradiction of sinners against Himself, how much more should we deal with the weakness of one another, namely, weak in faith, knowledge, and even in moral strength. This does not mean that we should not try to help one another to grow in faith, knowledge and grace but we should be patient as we seek to build one another up and realize that some of our brothers and sisters have different opinions in matters of faith that we cannot change or in some instances try to change. However, we have a moral obligation to help those we can who are seriously erring from the truth, but there will be those who are so set in their ways that they will not listen to sound reasoning. We have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in dealing with such and pray that God would open their eyes to the truth, actually we need to always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in all things.

Verse 5 - This is a directive coming down from our King to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious. Unity in the essentials of the faith. I think it is important for believers to agree to be unified in the essentials.

Verse 6- that with a unified mind and mouth glorify God. Unified in the essentials.

Verse 7- Just as Christ has received us into the family of God, we are to receive one another. No saint should ever be made to feel like a second class saint but should be joyfully received and welcomed as a fellow citizen in God's kingdom.