CHAPTER FIFTEEN OUTLINE

 

Outline of the Chapter:

I. Our Great Example (15:1-13)

A. Christ did not please himself

[1]. The strong should yield to the weak.

(a). It is for his good.
(b). As long as it is edifying.

B. The example of the Old Testament scriptures (4)

C. Encouragement from the present (5,6)

D. Encouragement from the future (7-12)

[1]. God is reconciling Jews and Gentiles.
[2]. Began when Christ accepted both.
[3]. He did it not pleasing himself.
[4]. So reached both Jews and Gentiles to the glory of God.

(a). Truthfulness to the Jews - mercy to the Gentiles.
(b). Two shall be one as the scriptures predicted.

[5]. All insured and kept by the power of God.

II. Paul's ministry to the saints at Rome (15:14-16)

A. To evaluate what they had

[1]. Right motives (goodness).
[2]. Complete knowledge.
[3]. Able to admonish one another.

B. To supply what they lacked

[1]. A bold reminder.
[2]. A priestly ministry.
[3]. A divine acceptance.

III. Paul's ministry in other places (17-21)

A. Its' secret of success (17,18)

B. Its' manifestation - power (19)

C. Its' geographical extent (19)

D. Its' uniqueness - a pioneer work (20,21)

IV. Paul's present plans and ministry (22-29)

A. His long felt desire to come to Rome

B. His immediate commitment to Jerusalem

[1]. With material aid.
[2]. To fulfill a spiritual principle.

C. His confidence of an effective ministry at Rome

V. Paul's reliance on prayer (30-33)

A. His ground of expectation (30)

[1]. Their obedience to the Lord.
[2]. The love of the Spirit.

B. The nature of the prayer - striving

C. His specific requests (31)

[1]. To be delivered from unbelievers.
[2]. To be accepted by the saints.
[3]. That he might come with joy and be refreshed.
[4]. By the will of God.

 

The topic of Chapter 14 continues into 15, how are we to handle questionable things? The answer is, we are to look to Jesus Christ as our example. What would Jesus himself do in this situation? This is always a safe question to ask ourselves.

The book begins to wind down in this chapter. Beginning at (verse 14) Paul discusses some personal things with the Romans. These personal things concern Paul's ministry to the Romans, to Christians in other places, his immediate plans for his ministry, his reliance on prayer for empowerment for his ministry, and God's will for his work.

 

Verse:

15:1 "We then..." Christians "...that are strong..." (Gal. 6:2; Heb. 5:12-14), "...ought to bear..." (Rom. 14:1).

15:2 "...please his neighbor..." (Rom. 13:9,10; 1 Cor. 9:19).

"Edification" - (see Note on 14:19).

15:3 "...Christ pleased not himself... "(Phil. 2:5) "...as it is written..." (Ps. 69:9; see also Jn. 7:7).

15:4 (1 Cor. 10:6,10,11; 2 Tim. 3:16,17).

15:5 The God of patience" - (2 Pet. 3:9; Isa. 30:18; Lk. 18:7).

"Likeminded" - (Acts 2:1; 1:14).

15:6 "One mind" - (Phil. 2:2).

"glorify God." - (1 Cor. 6:19,20; Jn. 17:4).

15:7 (Rom. 14:1,3).

15:8 Jesus Christ's ministry of the Gospel was primarily to the Jews - (Jn. 1:11,17; Matt. 15:24; 10:6; Jn. 4:22; Lk. 1:30-33; 46-55; 67-80).

15:9 "as it is written" - (Ps. 18:49).

15:10 "again he saith" - (Deut. 32:43).

15:11 "again" - (Ps. 117:1).

"laud" - praise.

15:12 "again" - (Isa. 11:10).

"...root of Jesse..." - (Rev. 5:5; 22:16; Rom. 11:16,17; Isa. 53:2).

15:13 "The God of hope" - (1 Tim. 1:1; Tit. 2:13; Col. 1:27; Acts 28:20).

15:14-16 Where is Peter? See verse 20!

"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles..." - (Acts 9 :15; Rom. 11:13).

"...might be acceptable..." - (Rom. 12:1,2; 14:18; 16:10).

15:17,18 Paul says, if bragging were the thing to do, he'd have plenty to brag about, but he will not discuss anything done in his power and to his glory. He will only speak of those things that Christ wrought by him.

15:19 "mighty signs" - (2 Cor. 12:12; Acts 5:12; 3:6; 9:34; 14:10; Mk. 16:18).

"Illyricum" - only mention.

15:21 "as it is written" - (Isa. 52:15).

15:23 "place" - work.

15:24 "I take my journey into Spain" - Did Paul go to Spain between (Acts 28 and 2 Tim. 4)? Paul was looking for financial assistance and fellowship as he planned his journey to Rome.

15:25 "But now I go to Jerusalem" - (Acts 19:21).

15:26 Offerings are taken for two things in the New Testament, for the ministry and for the poor, (Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:1,2).

The church at Jerusalem had gone through many trials and persecutions, by this time they were in financial trouble. Note here a missions church is sending support to the home work.

15:27 Paul shows us that we have a financial responsibility to help support the ministry, we are "debtors".

15:28 The financial contribution is called "fruit".

15:30 "in your prayers" - (2 Cor. 1:11; Col. 4:12). The prayer is answered in (Acts 20-24).

15:32 He does come to them (Acts 28).

"by the will of God" - (Rom. 1:10; 8:27; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 21:14).

15:33 The first closing.