Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
In Romans chapter 15 verses one thru 3, Paul gives exhortation unto the Saints who are “strong” in the faith. And Paul says that the strong “ought to” bear the infirmities of the weak, and then he says in verse 2, “let” every one of us, and then he gives a selfless example of Christ Himself as ‘an identity‘ to walk in His likeness concerning those whom Christ gave up of Himself for their sakes. And what Paul is making known unto the strong in the faith, is that they have a responsibility, but not just that, but a reputation as a Bible minister that God would entrust to be faithful, and a servant will now serve and edify the Father’s child. And in view of the ‘teaching style’ of Romans chapter 15, doesn’t it sound like in verse one what a parent would say about their Child? This is what we were being educated about in chapter 14, having ‘care’ for the weaker brother. And what we should have understood was that their godly edifying is very important to God, and it ought to be for us as well. And we should do all things unto their ‘edifying good.’ We are being educated to teach ‘as a father!’ and notice the instruction given unto the strong, he has a responsibility; he has an Ensample in Christ’s likeness!
2Tim.2:1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Our “Vocation” as Teachers of “good things” should be viewed by us with all godly understanding and appreciation that our Father has for us in our vocation. And understanding that this new vocation is the most important position that we have ever been entrusted with of our lives! And when we “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called,” this is where the glory comes in for us on the earth! We also have to understand that we are ‘teachers of teachers,” and that it is the “faithful” in Christ who will adhere, and listen, and will desire the “instruction in righteousness,” and “enlarge” their hearts to the Father’s Word. And just like Our Father “searches the hearts” of the saints and knows what is in the heart of the saint, we also should now be able to discern a “faithful” son, this is what the mature saints did in Paul’s day. We see the faithful in Corinth ‘report back’ to Paul about the behavior of the saints, and the laborers in Christ knew who were the “faithful,” and who were to be reproved, and who were to be exhorted, or corrected. But the faithful were “glorified” not only by the mature saints, but they would let Paul and the Other “elect” in Christ know. And they would “rejoice” in them, and glory in them as well, but most importantly; God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, along with the elect angles would glory in these saints as well, do we see what’s at stake here??
Titus 1:7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
[8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
[9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Furthermore, as we see in Titus chapter 1, the qualifications of a Bishop ought to be one that is not self-willed and notice in verse 8 the care and selfless love for those that need godly edifying. And moreover, in verse 9, Paul says that he ought to hold fast the faithful word as he has been taught. This is the way God has designed that the faithful in Christ receive godly edifying, and that is by the teaching of faithful men who are strong in the faith and desire to edify with selfless love “good men.” And these “good men” are able to discern the difference between the things which are carnal, and the things which are Spiritual, and he knows that these things are for his “good,” but are also good in the sight of God. He also desires godly edifying, knowing that this is well pleasing unto God, and that it ought to be well pleasing unto him as well. And this is what Paul is teaching in Romans chapter 15 when he says that the strong in the faith ought to “please his neighbour for his good to edification.” Godly edifying ought to be ‘pleasing’ unto him as a Son who knows his Father’s will and ‘what’ is for his good to edification. And his “good” is not just reading the Bible to understand ‘bible details,’ or reading the Bible in a ‘month by month’ scheduled repetition, or only opening God’s word of truth one day a week, God’s word ought to be valued and esteemed by the Saint just as God Himself views His Word, and that it is good for us to godly edifying, and by it, we have His will to live by, and we can now walk in the life of Christ as “sons.”
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Finally, following “that which is good” is good in the Father’s sight, and edifying one another is what the Saints ought to be doing until the “coming of the Lord.” And the strong in the faith as a bible teacher ought to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” And that “doctrine” is the doctrine “which is according to godliness,” this is what ought to be taught unto the Saints and is “profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” And throughout God’s Word we are taught that our Father has ‘laid up’ for the Saints for their “good” to edification. We are told to “cleave to that which is good,” and that we will be proving what is that “good,” and acceptable, and perfect will of God” for the rest of our sanctified lives. And we see Paul confirms this in 1st Thessalonians5:15 when he says, “but ever follow that which is good.” But not that they only “ever follow that which is good,” but that they teach other Saints the good “to the use of edifying” in Ephesians 4:29, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” And when God said in the beginning, “it is good,” not only was it good in the sight of God, but all creation on the same ‘Godly page” so to speak. The whole creation viewed ‘what’ God said was good as good for them as well in their sight. And we too today ought to value and esteem godly edifying as our good as well, just as God views His word, His will, and the life of Christ as “the good” to our edification.
1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1Ti 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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