Day 345—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 345 – Romans 14 – 16 (don’t judge, Christ’s example, HOPE, a Rome visit, greetings, doxology)

Romans 14.

Paul advises helping those who are weak in faith and not judging them. For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give account of himself to God.” (Isaiah 45:23) 

“Instead, he advises them to “never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”  The kingdom of God is NOT a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  So then, they were to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Romans 15.

Paul advises this church to follow Christ’s example in all things, “for Christ did not please himself.”   “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, following Christ Jesus, that together (Jew and Gentile) you may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul also tells them that the HOPE offered in Christ confirms the promises given to the patriarchs AND that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.  He quotes Deuteronomy 32:43. “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” And Psalm 117:1. “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol Him.”  And Isaiah 11:10b. “…in Him will the Gentiles HOPE.”

“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Paul praises the Roman church for their goodness, knowledge, and ability to teach one another.  But he reminds them to “be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles too.”  (Paul’s life’s work has been preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.) He claims he has gone out from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum with this message.  Now, he wants to preach the Gospel where Christ has NOT already been named, lest he builds on someone else’s foundation.

Paul tells them after a trip to Jerusalem with an offering, he hopes to come to THEM that they might help him on his way to Spain.  “When, therefore, I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.“

Romans 16.

Paul then sends greetings from and to his fellow workers in Rome and Corinth.  He asks that the church in Rome welcome and help Phoebe, a servant of the church in Corinth, as she is bringing them this letter.  He greets Aquila and Priscilla, who must now also live back in Rome. He names many, many others too, who are working in Rome. 

As a final note, he warns them to watch out for divisions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine they’ve been taught.  Their obedience to Christ is well known, but he wants them to be wise about what is GOOD and innocent about what is EVIL. 

He sends greetings from those with him in Corinth; Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.  Then he ends with doxology.

“Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…to the only wise God, be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!   Amen.”