Romans 15

The Explanation

Paul is almost at the end of his long letter to the church in Rome. In this chapter he speaks like someone who is packing his bags. He gives the Christians in Rome important thoughts to take with them, and he tells them about his travel plans.

He starts with something practical. In the church at Rome there are Christians who are strong in their faith and Christians who are still weak or unsure. Paul says: those who are strong should not just do what is easiest for themselves. They should help the weaker ones, encourage them, build them up. He points to Jesus. Even Jesus did not choose the easy way for himself. He carried the insults that people threw at God.

Then Paul writes something beautiful about the Bible. Everything that was written long ago in the Scriptures was written to teach us and to give us hope. Through the stories of the Old Testament, through the psalms and the prophets, God still speaks encouragement into our lives today.

Paul prays that God will help the believers to be of one mind, so that they can praise God together with one voice. And he says something that sounds simple but is huge: "Accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you." That means: welcome each other in, because Jesus welcomed you in.

Then Paul explains why this is so important. Jesus came first for the Jewish people, to keep the promises God had made long ago to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But through Jesus, people from every other nation, the Gentiles, are also invited in. Paul quotes four verses from the Old Testament that all say the same thing: the nations will praise God too. He closes this part with a prayer that God, the God of hope, will fill them with joy and peace.

After this, Paul talks about himself. He tells about his work. God has sent him especially to the Gentiles. He has traveled from Jerusalem all the way to a region called Illyricum, which is far to the northwest, telling people about Jesus. He likes to go to places where no one has ever heard the name of Jesus yet.

Paul has wanted to visit Rome for a long time, but something always got in the way. Now he finally has a plan. First he must go to Jerusalem, because churches in Macedonia and Achaia have collected money for the poor Christians there. After that, he wants to travel through Rome on his way to Spain. He asks the Roman Christians to pray for him, because there are people in Judea who hate him and want to stop him. He ends with a blessing: "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

What Does This Mean?

Paul shows what a church really is. It is not a club where everyone is the same. There are strong people and weak people, people from very different backgrounds. And they are told to accept each other, just like Jesus accepted them. That is not always easy, because people can annoy each other. But Paul says: look at Jesus. He did not please himself either.

Paul also shows that the Bible is not just an old book. It was written so we would have hope today. God still speaks through it.

The Common Thread

The big line in this chapter is: God keeps His promises. Long ago He promised Abraham that through his family, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. For a long time it seemed as though only the people of Israel knew God. But then Jesus came. He fulfilled the old promises, and He opened the door so that people from every country could come in. That is why Paul travels so far. He wants people who have never heard of Jesus to hear about Him. You and I are part of that story too. Because Jesus came, we may belong.

For You

Look around in church, or at school, or in your family. Is there someone who is a bit different, someone quieter, or someone you find annoying? Paul says: accept them, like Jesus accepted you. That does not mean you have to be best friends with everyone. It means you make room. You do not push them out. Ask God to help you see that person the way Jesus does.

Talk About It

Why do you think Paul talks so much about "the strong" and "the weak" together in one church? What could that look like today?

Paul asks people to pray for him because he is afraid of what will happen in Jerusalem. Does it surprise you that even Paul was afraid sometimes?

Praying Together

God of hope, thank You that You keep Your promises. Thank You that Jesus accepted us. Help us to accept each other too, also people we find difficult. Fill us with joy and peace, and give us hope through Your Spirit. Amen.