Romans 15:1-3

A Study of The Book of Romans
Lesson 104 Chapter 15:1 - 13
“Be Christ Like.” - Part 1 15:1 – 3
By Pastor Randy Johnson

A. Verse 1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1. Let us not forget the context of Romans; Paul is speaking to a church; the church at Rome. Therefore this is in a church setting; however we should always love and help other Christians.
2. The word “strong” means - powerful or capable – This is not strong in any one area but whatever area you are strong. Strong in money, strong in knowledge, strong in wisdom, and etc.
a. The stronger Christens are to help the weaker Christians, it is called bearing one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” This is not an option, it is a command.
b. Let us never forget Jesus bore our burden of sin. John 19:16-18 "Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. (17.) And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: (18.) Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
c. The word “bear” means – to lift or to carry - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded (little spirited), support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
3. “…and not to please ourselves.”
a. There are no I in team and there certainly are no I’s in Church. We are one body with many members. How can a church have unity if there are any I’s in it.
b. Serving Christ is not about self glory, Christ Jesus was not about self and neither should any Church member or Christian.
c. Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
d. 1 Corinthians 9:19 "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."
e. Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
B. Verse 2 “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”
1. First of all I believe the word neighbor here refers to fellow church member or fellow Christian.
a. However it is not totally limited to the church or other Christians.
b. By helping the lost we serve a good testimony to them of what it is like to be a Christian. – However every Christian must remember our goal is to serve God by living holy lives; therefore there are limits to helping the lost.
2. “…for his good to edification.” – This is to the other Christians; our help in innumerable can help build up the weak. This should be one of our main goals, to help build up the weaker Christians.
C. Verse 3 “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
1. Jesus said; John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Now what was the will of His Father? That He die for the wrong of others.
a. John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” – I just would to god we as Christians would have this same line of thought.
b. Christ said the sin of the sinners fell on me. Christ Jesus left heaven and its glory to die on that cross for our sins, He paid the sinners fine in full, because this was His Fathers will.
2. “…as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” The comes from Psalms 69:9 also known as the Messianic Psalm.
a. Isaiah 50:5-7 "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (6.) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7.) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
b. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
c. Philippians 2:4-9 "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5.) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6.) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7.) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8.) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (9.) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:"
d. Christ Jesus never desired what was best for Him, He wanted to do what was best for God’s elect and this was the Fathers will.