Bible Discussion — Romans 15/16

December 5, 2007, 12:00 pm; posted by
Filed under Bible, Chloe, David, MC-B, Steve  | No Comments

This week, Bweinh.com looks at the next two chapters in the book of Romans, Romans 15-16.

Genesis: 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-26
27-29 | 30-32 | 33-36 | 37-39 | 40-43 | 44-46 | 47-50

Exodus: 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-18
19-22 | 23-26 | 27-30 | 31-34 | 35-40

And the book of Romans: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6
Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 (I) | Ch. 8 (II) | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13| Ch. 14

 
INTRODUCTION:
David:
The last two chapters of Romans are filled with last-minute admonitions and personal greetings, along with some interesting nuggets.

MC-B:
Paul’s best instruction manual to believers concludes with another reminder to serve one another, build each other up, and listen to what is good.

 
SOMETHING YOU’D NEVER NOTICED BEFORE:
David:
In 16:26, the phrase “the scriptures of the prophets.” It’s significant that a New Testament writer testified that what the prophets wrote was scripture.

Steve:
Paul describes intercessory prayer as “striv[ing] together with him” in his work.

Chloe:
In verse 27, is Paul saying the Gentiles owe the Jews money because the Jews shared their spiritual blessing?

 
BEST BAND NAME FROM THE PASSAGE:
MC-B: Holy Kiss
David: Lucius and Jason, Erastus the Chamberlain
Chloe: Hindered, The Gentiles
Steve: Brother Quartus, Strive

 
STORY IT REMINDS YOU OF::
Steve:
The ending chapter, with its long list of greetings and acknowledgments, reminds me of the credits at a movie, or the acceptance speech at an awards ceremony. “Thanks to Tertius, my writer, and my fellow prisoners, but especially Andronicus and Junia, and oh, no, don’t start the music yet, oh no, who am I forgetting, there’s Amplias, Stachys, and Rufus — oh, and Rufus’s mother! Greet one another with a holy kiss! Thank you all!”

 
DEEP THEOLOGICAL MEANING:
Chloe:
Again Paul stresses unity among the believers, and tolerance, which is vital to giving glory to God. In trying to think of a particularly poignant way this applies to today, I came up with unity among denominations, different churches in communities, and overseas believers.

But I think Paul was talking about both Jews and Gentiles, and weak and strong believers. In order to have a successful body of believers, each member needs patience with those who fall, and self-control to not point out where we think we’re better than others.

David:
Among the greetings and last-minute crammings, Paul does offer a pretty thorough list of scriptures supporting the Gentiles’ admission as full partners in the gospel.

 
RANDOM THOUGHT:
Chloe:
Verse 4 is another reminder that we shouldn’t dismiss the Old Testament.

MC-B:
That’s a lot of people to greet.

David:
The word used for “servant” in 16:1 is the same word for “deacon.” Phoebe was a “deacon” in the church, proving that Paul had no problem with women in the ministry. He just had a proper grasp of the differing roles women should play in leadership within the home and the church.

 
WHERE IS JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE:
David:
In 15:7, confirming the promises made to the Gentiles.

MC-B:
In the admonition to build each other up and the reminder that He died for all people, including the Gentiles.

Steve:
Described as a servant who confirmed the goodness of God’s gift to man.

 
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
David:
15:4 — “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” The Law may have been done away with, but the Old Testament still has much to teach us, much patience and comfort to instill in us.

Chloe:
15:5-7 — “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

MC-B:
16:19b — “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”

Steve:
16:25-27 — “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith — to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.”

 
PORTION YOU WOULD MOST LIKE EXPLAINED IN HEAVEN:
Steve:
I’d just like to see a meeting of one of these ancient churches, to see how they worshipped, and who did what, and what the atmosphere was. That would be more exciting than much anything else you could see back then.

 
LESSON TO TAKE AWAY:
David:
It’s hard to draw one unifying theme from the two chapters, but Paul does go out of his way at the beginning of chapter 15 to reinforce the previous chapters’ teaching by saying, “We then that are strong should bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” It’s one good lesson to take away.

Chloe:
Be nice!

 
GENERAL RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE:
Steve:
It’s a great summary of some of the major points of the book, followed by a bit of a warning — Daddy Paul is planning to come to visit. Then he thanks those who should be thanked, and follows it up with a warning about dissension and offense. I wonder if that was to guard against any offended person he forgot to thank!

MC-B:
I hated it with a hatred that burns hotter than a thousand suns.

Just kidding. It was fine by me.

 
CONCLUSION:
David:
With his insistence that the law, and the pre-eminent position of the Jews, were meant only to serve as an intermediate position in God’s work among men, Paul established Christianity as a separate religion from Judaism. The Law was done away with, to make room for the Gospel — and the Jew and Gentile are now united as one new man in Christ (Eph 2:15).


Comments

Leave a comment!