Dealing With Differences of Opinion, Part 4

Romans 15:1-13

Pleasing Others, 15:1-6a

Paul identifies himself among the strong it this situation. It means he stands steadfast in his convictions he can eat anything without violating God’s will or his own conscience. As one of the strong he has the responsibility to bear the burden of those who are weak. This goes beyond a mere tolerance of their view concerning certain foods. The strong have a continual obligation to carry and support the weak as one would help someone who is crippled or has an illness.

The Greek term for “weak” can be so translated. “The idea is to lighten the load of another by carrying some of it for him or her” (Swindoll 304). Paul also wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). This can be a mutual obligation. Suppose the one who can eat anything has a weakness with regard to playing cards. His former gambling habits cause him great discomfort and temptation in just playing cards. The brother whose conscience will not allow him to eat bacon has no such reservation in playing cards.

The second obligation of the strong is “not to please” themselves (15:1b). There are two reasons for not pleasing self and deferring to the needs of the weak brother. First, the strong sacrifices what pleases himself for the weak brother’s “good, leading to edification” (15:2b). The strong are in fact the one who become servants to the weak (Mark 10:42-45). They are willing to look out for what is best for those who are weak and look for ways to build them up or strengthen them. This may require someone to forgo their freedoms and what pleases them. This does not mean a weak brother be allowed to rule over the whole congregation or those who are strong. The opinions of the weak should never be turned into rules for the rest.

The second reason is for the strong to emulate the example of Christ. “For even Christ did not please Himself” (15:3a). Paul could have used an abundance of examples from the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, instead he chose Psalm 69:9. Jesus said, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). Jesus even made this bold declaration which no other man could have ever made, “for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

To please the Father and focus on man’s greatest needs, Jesus even went to the cross (Heb. 5:7). The first part of the verse is quoted in John 2 when Jesus fulfills this prophecy by the cleansing of the Temple. “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me” (15:3b). The “You” is God and the “Me” found in the verse is Christ. When Christ suffered persecution at the hands of His enemies, they were in reality attacking God the Father. And it is God who sent Christ who came to be mankind’s Savior in order to please God and save them.

The third responsibility in the conflict over personal opinions is the proper use of the Scriptures. The “things were written before” (15:4a) are an obvious reference to the Old Testament. Why did Paul quote so extensively from the Law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets? If the Old Covenant has been replaced with the New, then why are New Testament Christians studying the Old Testament? Paul gives about four different reasons for studying these.

They benefit the New Testament Christians in that they “were written for our learning” (15:4b). All scripture comes by inspiration from God for man’s profit (2 Tim. 316,17). The Old Testament is not just for the Jews. It is for everyone. In the early church these were the scriptures they first had to read and study (Acts 17:11). Although Christians may not be able to learn from the Old Testament about such things as New Testament worship and the necessity of baptism into Christ, they are of great profit in correction, reproof, and instruction of righteousness.

Second, through the Law and the Prophets Christians learn “patience” (15:4c). The word in the Greek can be translated “perseverance.” Job is an excellent example of this. His three friends were of the strong opinion, Job suffered because he was a great sinner and needed to repent. Job knew himself and God and overcame both the suffering and the opinions of others.

Next, the saints at Rome benefit from the Old Covenant by the words of “comfort” (15:4d) found within God’s Word. Finally, the patience and comfort learned from Scriptures results in “hope” (15:4e). The Gentile believers were once without Christ, God or hope (Eph. 2:12). But through the promises of the Old Testament both Jew and Gentile have hope in eternal salvation.

Paul concludes these thoughts about not pleasing ourselves but looking out for the needs of others with a prayer. It is his desire in prayer once more (10:1) for all the saints to benefit from God’s help. “Patience and comfort” (15:5a) may come from the learning of the Scriptures, but they also come as a gift from God. Both Bible Study and prayer are essential to attaining both of these. The purpose of these two blessings is for Christians to “be like-minded toward one another” (15:5b). This is not the same as being of the same mind in regard to the Truth or the Faith or the Word of God. They are to be like-minded in “that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:6a). They are to be of the same mind when it comes to how they love and treat each other regardless of the diversity of opinions which may exist within a congregation. A congregation can live in harmony and even unity over matters of faith while divided in their opinions which are of no consequence to their souls and are matters of indifference to their God.

Glorifying God Together, 15:6b-13

In the midst of his short benedictory prayer Paul focuses the Roman readers on the next point. They are to learn to love and live in harmony with each other as the strong and weak, so they may “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:6b). They may never agree on a diet together, but all Christians can agree on the fact God and Christ are worthy of all praise and glory. When the strong and weak focus on their Father and Master they will be able to put their differences over indifferences in a proper light.

How do the strong and weak glorify God? When they “receive one another” (15:7a). Paul explains next the manner of their acceptance of each other: “just as Christ also received us” (15:7b). When we are all weak and without any strength to help ourselves, Christ received us (Rom. 5:6-8). He did not wait to come to earth and die for man after sinners cleaned up their act. As the song we sing says: “Christ receiveth sinful men.” If Christ can receive or welcome sinners how much more can we be accepting of a brother who has strong and differing opinions?

This reception of one another and how it leads to all men in glorifying God is illustrated by God’s inclusion of the Gentiles. While it is true Christ came as a servant to God and mankind as a Jew, it was for the purpose of fulfilling the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and in the Law of Moses. These all spoke of the inclusion of the Gentiles in these divine blessings. The patriarchs were told that through their seed all the nations of the world would be blessed. The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms are all quoted from to show that the Gentiles were included in these promises all along (2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10). Many of the differences over matters of opinion were a result of the culture and religions of the Jews and Gentiles. Now that they are one in Christ, they can be likeminded in glorifying God. Because He showed mercy to both Jew and Gentile.

Paul concludes with another prayer of blessing for the church in Rome. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (15:13). The main blessing is for them to be filled with joy, peace, and hope.

– Daniel R. Vess