Category: Bible

As Become Saints

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Romans 16:1-2 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That you receive her in the Lord, as become saints, and that you assist her in whatsoever business she has need of you: for she has been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 

‘Phebe’ – she was a deaconess of the congregation at Cenchrea, her duties being to attend to female converts, helping them get ready for baptism; to visit the sick and those in prison, and attend to all parts of work among women which could not be performed by people. She was probably the bearer of the epistle to Rome.

‘A servant of the church’ – she served at the small group that was situated at Cenchrea in someone’s house, just as all ‘churches’ were. Congregation will be the better translation, for no small group of believers functioned independently from the others or had their own doctrines contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

‘Servant’ [Greek: diakonon] one who executes the command of another. It is used of: Servants of kings (Matt. 22:13) and servants at feasts (John 2:5,9). Ministers or officers of civil governments (Rom. 13:4) and men and women servants of congregations (Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35; Rom. 16:1). Deacons of congregations or business elders and distinct from bishops or teaching elders (Php. 1:1; 1Tim. 3:10-13; Acts 6:1-7) Jesus Christ as a minister to the Jews in the work of preaching, teaching and healing (Rom. 15:8; Gal. 2:17; Matt. 4:23-24; 9:35; Acts 10:38) Ministers of congregations (Matt. 20:26; Mark 10:43). Teachers of the gospel (1Cor. 3:5; 2Cor. 3:6; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23, 25; 1Thess. 3:2). Ministers of Christ and of God (John 12:26; 2Cor. 6:4-10; 11:23; Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7; 1Tim. 4:6). Also used of ministers of satan to counterfeit the work of true ministers and to deceive (2Cor. 11:15).

‘Cenchrea’ – a city on the sea coast near Corinth.

‘As become saints’ – from Psalm 37 we see various things that constitute for a saint: Control of one’s own spirit (37:1, 7, 8); freedom from jealousy and envy (37:1); absolute trust in God (37:3, 5, 40); consecration to do good (37:3); constant delight in God (37:4); keeping life committed to God (37:5); simple and unwavering faith in God and absolute dependence upon God (37:7, 9, 39); freedom from anger and wrath (37:8); meekness and humility (37:11); abundance of peace and complete satisfaction with lot in life (37:16-19); boldness in evil times (37:19); mercy, compassion, and benevolence (37:21, 26); obedience to God’s leading (37:23); freedom from discouragement in adversity (37:24); household under control (37:26); righteousness (37:21, 29, 30); wisdom and justice (37:30); true to God’s law [now it will be N.T. law] (37:31, 34); propagating truth among men (37:30); living perfect and upright (37:37); possessing full salvation (37:39-40); standing firm in time of trouble (37:39).

 ‘Succourer’ [Greek: prostatis] protector. Athenian writers use the word of those that take in strangers (cp. Rom. 12:8; 1Tim. 5:9-10). She no doubt cared for the apostles and ministers who came to Cenchrea.

Strive Together

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Romans 15:25-28, 30-33 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 

‘But now I go unto Jerusalem’ – this shows that Paul was headed for his last trip to Jerusalem. After that he planned to visit Rome and Spain (15:22-28).

‘Minister unto the saints’ – this ministering mainly included the large collections for the poor saints at Jerusalem (15:25-28; 1Cor. 16:1-4; 2Cor. 8-9). These Gentile contributions for the poor Jewish saints demonstrated brotherly love for the Christian Jews.

‘Debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.’ Here Paul again states that Gentile Christians were debtors to the Jews who had been used of God to receive the Scriptures and through whom Christ came according to the flesh. Now he points out that it is only right to help the Jews in carnal things.

‘When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.’ When I take the collections for the poor saints to Jerusalem, I plan to go to Spain and I will come by Rome to see you.

‘That you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me’ – It is noticeable that Paul never got so full of the fullness of God that he felt he did not need prayers of the saints and continued blessings of God.

‘That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea’ – Paul seems to anticipate the trouble he was to have in Judea (Acts 21:27-26:32).

‘God of peace’ – in the book of Romans, what God is: A witness (1:9); uncorruptible (1:23); impartial (2:11); judge (2:16; 3:6); God of all people (3:29); God of patience and consolation (15:5); God of hope (15:13); God of peace (15:33; 16:20); only wise One (16:27).

Been Much Hindered

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Romans 15:22-24, 29 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. … When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 

‘For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.’ Because of his policy to preach the gospel where it has not been preached, he has been hindered for a long time to go where the gospel has already been preached (15:20, 22).

‘No more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you.’ Having evangelized all these parts and having a desire for many years to see them, Paul planned to go to them when he took his journey into Spain (15:23-24).

‘Spain’ there is no record in Scripture or history that Paul ever fulfilled this proposed journey into Spain. It is on record that he went back to Jerusalem and was taken to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 21:1-28:31).

‘For I trust to see you in my journey’ – He trusted to see the Christians in Spain and be blessed with their company as he goes to Spain.

‘And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.’ Here we have Paul’s confidence stated that when he visited them, he would come to them with all the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God and of the gospel of Christ. This confirms the fact that one man may be filled with all the fullness of God and have all the gifts and fruit of the Spirit of 1Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23. He had already told them that he planned to impart to them some spiritual gift to the end that they would be established (1:11).

Glory through Jesus Christ

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Romans 15:17-21 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 

‘Through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God’ – ten things through Jesus Christ: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:1); “Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but ALIVE unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (6:11); “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (6:23); “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind, I myself SERVE THE LAW OF GOD…” [thanks for salvation] (7:25); “I have therefore whereof I MAY GLORY [boasting] through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.” (15:17); “But thanks be to God, which gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Cor. 15:57); “Wherefore thou are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then AN HEIR [heirship] of God through Christ.” (Gal. 4:7); “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall KEEP [keeping] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Php. 4:7); “…let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things MAY BE GLORIFIED through Jesus Christ…” (1Pet. 4:11); “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE [salvation] of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…” (2Pet. 2:20).

‘Illyricum’ included Montenegro, Albania and Yugoslavia.

‘Have fully preached the gospel of Christ.’ Paul here sums up the New Testament program as both teaching and confirming the gospel (15:18-21). ‘To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand’ this is the 19th and last prophecy in Romans (15:21; Isa. 52:15). Those who did not know of Paul or hear the Word from him were the ones to see and understand.

Persuaded of You

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Romans 15:14-16 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 

‘Persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.’ Paul persuaded of seven things: that God would fill them with joy; that God would fill with peace; that faith would abound in hope; that they had Spiritual power, that they were filled with goodness (15:14), that they were filled with knowledge and that they were capable of ministering.

This persuasion is no more a definite law or a guarantee that such is true of every Christian than that of Romans 8:38-39. Both passages reveal possibilities for all Christians which should be normal in every life, but some are not so persuaded as Paul was.

‘Boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God.’ I have written freely to you in view of my apostolic office to the Gentiles. I am commissioned by Jesus Christ to minister to you Gentiles the gospel of God – that your consecration may be acceptable to God, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit (15:15-16).

‘Sanctified’ [Greek: hagiazo] to hallow (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2); be holy (Rev. 22:11); and sanctify or consecrate – set apart for a sacred purpose (Matt. 23:17, 19; John 10:36; 17:17, 19; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom. 15:16; 1Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 7:14; Eph. 5:26; 1Thess. 5:23; 1Tim. 4:5; 2Tim. 2:21; Heb. 2:11; 9:13; 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12; 1Pet. 3:15; Jude 1:1). The Greek word for “sanctify” is hagiazo, meaning to separate from a profane to a sacred use; to consecrate self wholly to God and His service. The primary meaning is separation, not making holy. It means to make holy only when the person or thing sanctified needs to be cleansed from sin or defilement in order to be fit to be separated unto God and His service. Material things such as a day (Gen. 2:3); the tabernacle (Ex. 29:43-44); clothes (Lev. 8:30); houses (Lev. 27:9-29); or the temple (2Chron. 7:16-20) must be cleansed from all defilement in order to be fit to be presented to God for His holy uses. God’s name (Ezek. 36:23); God (1Pet. 3:15); Christ (John 10:36; 17:19); or the already cleansed disciples (John 13:10; 15:3; 17:2, 6, 14, 16) need not be cleansed from sin. To sanctify means to set apart from other uses to God’s particular use, not to cleanse from sin or rid of carnal nature (sometimes called “the old man” or Adamic nature). Even Christ, the Sinless One, was sanctified (John 10:36; 17:19). Where humans are concerned one begins to be sanctified when he begins to consecrate his life to God, and the process is continued as he continues in his dedication (1Cor. 1:30; 6:11; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-4, 18).

Sin is not necessarily involved in sanctification, because the word means setting apart. God has sanctified both people and material things, and even immaterial things.

The God of Hope

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Romans 15:8-13 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he said, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and laud him, all you people. And again, Esaias said, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

‘Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.’ Christ confined His ministry to the Jews to confirm the Scriptures, so the Gentiles should be able to bear with a few Jewish scruples and glorify God for mercy through Christ (15:8-9).

‘For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name’ this is the 15th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (15:9; Ps. 18:49). The gospel has been preached among the Gentiles.

‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people’ – this is the 16th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (15:10; Deut. 32:43). The Gentiles along with the Jews rejoice in the message [gospel] of the Redeemer of Israel.

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and laud him, all you people’ – this is the 17th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (15:11; Ps. 117:1). The Gentiles accepted the gospel with great praise contrary to the Jews who rejected both the Messiah and the gospel.

‘Laud’ [Greek: epaineo] highly extol.

‘There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust’ – this is the 18th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (15:12; Isa. 11:10). Christ came from the house of David – whose father was Jesse and He rose to reign over the Gentiles and they trusted in Him..

‘Reign’ [Greek: archo] rule. All these prophecies (15:9-12) prove that both the Jews and the Gentiles were to become one in the worship of God, being equal in His mercies and grace (1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). The Jews could not deny such arguments from their own prophets

‘The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.’ The God of the hope of both Jews and Gentiles, who made the promises of eternal salvation to both; and, who has fulfilled them most punctually, fill you with joy and peace in believing you may abound in that same hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

According to Christ Jesus

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Romans 15:1-7 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 

‘We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.’ The strong and enlightened ones must tolerate and bear with the weaker and less enlightened brethren until they, too, become strong in faith and knowledge (15:1-3).

‘Reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me’ – this is the 14th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (15:3; Ps. 69:9).

‘For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.’ This refers to the whole Old Testament Scriptures (1Cor. 10:1-11; 2Tim. 2:15; 3:15-16; John 5:39; Luke 24:44; etc.).

‘Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.’ It is only by accepting and agreeing with what is written that people can be like-minded (15:4-7). If saints would learn to leave off all doubtful disputations (14:1), become unified on the point of not judging each other regarding things not written and agree on the things that are written, there would be perfect unity in doctrine. Then Romans 15:4-7 would be literally fulfilled.

‘As Christ also received us to the glory of God.’ Christians are to receive each other in spite of their faults and scruples, as Christ has received them.

Not of Faith

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Romans 14:21-23 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Has thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 

‘It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.’ It is better to deny self to personal pleasures than to cause brethren to apostatize (Matt. 18:6-10; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31).

‘Eat flesh’ meat is permitted to be eaten and we cannot tell others to not eat meat and only vegetables (14:2, 14-17; Col. 2:14-17; 1Tim. 4:1-6).

‘Wine’ the word “wine” is used for all kinds of drinks – even the grape juice when it is still in the cluster (Isa. 65:8). Hence, it does not always refer to intoxicating drinks. They should be left alone in view of the law against drinking alcohol (1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; etc.).

‘Nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles’ – not only doubtful things that are mentioned, but anything not listed which causes another to apostatize and be lost must be laid aside.

‘Stumbles’ [Greek: proskopto] to strike the foot against; to err from the truth (Jas. 5:19-20). Beat upon (until the thing is destroyed, Matt. 7:27); dash against (Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:11); stumble (John 11:9-10; Rom. 9:32; 14:21; 1Pet. 2:8).

‘Offended’ [Greek: skandalizo] to offend. It is used generally in the New Testament of total apostasy from Christ (Matt. 5:29-30; 11:6; 13:21, 57; 15:12; 17:27; 18:6-9; 24:10; 26:31-33; Mark 4:17; 6:3; 9:42-47; 14:27-29; Luke 7:23; 17:2; John 6:61; 16:1; Rom. 14:21; 1Cor. 8:13; 2Cor. 11:29).

‘Weak’ [Greek: astheneo] strengthless; without power to distinguish sufficiently between right and wrong, good and evil, or lawful and unlawful.

‘Has thou faith?’ The last question in Romans. The word faith here means the full persuasion that one is right, lawful, and sanctioned by God in this act.

‘Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.’ Do not condemn yourself over anything not specifically forbidden in Scripture by plain command. Do not permit your conscience to be swayed by wrong religious background or constant religious turmoil over doubtful things.

‘For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.’ Anything done to violate the faith principle by which one is saved, and by which he lives (1:17; Heb. 10:38), is sin. One must know beyond all doubt or hesitation in his mind that what he allows is in perfect accord with the Word of God before he acts.

A Stumblingblock

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Romans 14:13-20 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walk thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serve Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offence. 

‘Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died’ this proves that a brother can be destroyed by another Christian. If not, this is all very needless language.

‘For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.’ The kingdom of God does not consist of meat, drink, and outward religion. It consists of three things here: Righteousness (3:21-31; 4:1-25; 8:4); peace (2:10; 5:1; 8:6; 10:15); joy (5:11; Gal. 5:22; 1Pet. 1:8).

‘For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.’ Any man who has righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit has three other great blessings: He is a servant of Christ, he is acceptable with God and he is approved by people.

‘Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.’ In order to have the blessings of Romans 14:17-18, we must follow whatever brings them about. All bickering over meats, drinks, sabbaths, and nonessential things must be stopped and that which edifies others must be taught.

‘For meat destroy not the work of God’ what could be clearer than this – that meat itself does not destroy God’s work? It is the bickering over meats and doubtful things which destroy the soul and liberty in using them may also cause an ignorant man to apostatize (14:13-15, 14:20-21; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31). ‘All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offence’ – all edible things (allowed under clean animals and nothing poisonous) are pure and lawful, but they become sinful to the man who eats with offense and with a defiled conscience. When erroneous, the conscience should be instructed, won over by proper knowledge and truth and not forced to do something contrary to its own knowledge and feelings regarding doubtful things (1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31; 1Jn. 1:7; 2Pet. 1:4-10; 3:18).