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 […]
We often underestimate our depravity, believing that our religious observances and altruism can make us pure and acceptable to God. But the control centre of human life has been invaded by the tyrannical and corrupting power of sin. Only a divine supernatural intervention can change the tide of human life.
Isaiah 53:10–12 constitutes the final stanza of the prophet’s Fourth Servant Song (52:13–53:12). It describes the death of the Servant as the ultimate satisfaction for sin, the fruit of which involves salvation for the many and the exaltation of the Servant.
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.