While the world’s hope is vain and delusive, Christians possess a sure hope in the living God, rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and sustained by His powerful Spirit. Christians are thus to demonstrate abounding hope in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:7–13 concludes Paul’s call for Christian tolerance over matters of lesser importance, beginning in chapter 14:1. He again instructs Christians to accept each other because Christ accepted them by becoming a Servant of Jews (to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His promises) and a Servant of the Gentiles (so that they might glorify God for […]
Paul encourages strong believers in Rome to bear with the scruples of the weak and not please themselves. Such conduct imitates Jesus’ supreme example of not pleasing Himself, edifies the weak, and glorifies God.
Romans 14:13–23 draws attention to the obligation of strong Christians to love weak Christians and curtail their right to eat and drink. In so doing, they will not cause the weak among them to stumble. Paul underscores his argument by pointing to what has ultimate value: the kingdom of God and its righteousness, peace, and […]
Romans 14 begins to expose the divisions between strong and weak Christians in the Roman Church. Paul emphasizes that believers should not judge each other regarding “matters of indifference,” but recognize Christ’s supreme Lordship over all.
Romans 13:8–4 stresses the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus and the necessary of preparing for that day by living in love and holiness.
The controversy surrounding the command to submit to political authorities in Romans 13:1–7 continues unabated. But its message is unambiguous: all must obey the God-ordained powers in their legitimate and moral exercise of authority for the good order of society and the glory of God.
The Christian life demands a radical redirection of priorities, motives, and actions. We turn from self-centeredness to live for God and others. As such, the Lord directs us not to the simple thing—to tolerate our enemies— but the impossible apart from transforming grace: to love our enemies and do them good.
What is the shape of a life devoted to God? Paul develops the theme of practical devotion to God in Romans 12:9–21. A central feature of this life, according to Romans 12:9–13 is sincere love for God and fellow Christians.
The complete devotion to God that Romans 12:1–2 demands is neither ambiguous nor abstract but clear and concrete. Romans 12:3–8 explains that the life of consecration involves humility and the use God-given gifts for the benefit of the one body of Christ.