This ‘outline’ of Romans chapter 15 presents an extensive biblical exposition centered on the Chapter’s godly intent for the Saints, emphasizing the ‘responsibility and reputation’ of the strong to ‘doctrinally support’ the weak, the example of Christ’s selflessness, and the calling to live a godly, edifying life in unity and love as a ‘bible Minister.’ It explores themes of Spiritual maturity, suffering for Christ’s sake, and the ministerial responsibilities of believers, particularly those who teach and lead in “the faith.”
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.
The Call to Bear One Another’s Burdens
The foundational exhortation is that those strong in faith are to bear the infirmities of the weak without seeking to please themselves, but to doctrinally please their neighbor for their edification. This attitude follows the example of Christ, who did not please Himself but bore reproaches for others (Rom 15:1-3). The text teaches that this selfless love and the Spiritual mind is essential for Spiritual growth and unity among believers, as they are to be likeminded and glorify God with one mind and mouth (Rom 15:5-7).
Biblical Foundations of Love and Edification
Romans chapter 15 follows the ‘beseeching’ to the strong in the faith, to “receive” him that is weak in the faith. And this “form of doctrine” begins beginning in Romans 14:1 thru Romans 15:7, to illustrate that the love for the Father’s edification is the means by which one who is weak in the faith receives instruction and grows in wisdom and understanding, emphasizing the importance of “godly edifying” and the keeping of His Words for Spiritual Growth unto one that he himself is “strong in the faith.” We are taught with a selfless Identity of our Lord Himself as a “Minister,” and service modeled by Christ’s selfless identity as He Ministered unto “the circumcision” while on this earth, even unto death on the cross (Phil 2:1-11).
Spiritual Armor and Ministerial Suffering
Believers are called to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against spiritual wickedness (Eph 6:10-20). Romans 15 continues to stress that ministry involves suffering, tribulation, and spiritual warfare, following Paul’s example given unto us in Romans chapter 13 about the fact that “the night is far spent,” and the Works of darkness of Satan’s “night” is in its ‘far spent status’ among us today. But we have been given the “Armor of Light” and we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” as those who desire to walk in godliness, and those who rejoiced in his infirmities because God’s power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10). Ministers are exhorted to labor with patience, kindness, and purity, and to be examples in doctrine and godliness (1 Tim 4:6-16).
The Role of Ministers and the Unity of the Church
Paul’s ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles is presented as a model of selfless service, striving to preach the gospel fully and make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, relying on the power of the Spirit (Rom 15:16-21). This doctrine calls for believers to be wise in the Power of His Word, and admonish one another, and maintain unity in faith and knowledge of Christ (Rom 15:14). Being His “minister” is described as walking in a labor of love, involving teaching, admonishing, and presenting every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Col 1:28).
Mutual Support and Prayer with One Mouth and One Mind
Believers are encouraged to ‘Spiritually pray’ fervently for one another and for those in ministry, that their service may be accepted and that they may come with joy and be refreshed (Rom 15:30-33). It is Paul’s desire that their prayer is for the “inner man” of the Saints, and for Paul’s inner man as well. And prayer that the Saints are edified, and that his service unto them may be accepted. Paul is NOT praying for “outward man” deliverance, or that God would ‘physically intervene’ in his circumstances. Also, Paul’s desire is for the fellowship among saints is underscored as a source of joy and consolation (Phm 1:4-7).
Spiritual Mindset and Living After the Spirit
The “strong” in the faith as a minister knows the contrast between living after the flesh and living after the Spirit, with the carnal mind being enmity against God and unable to please Him, while those who are “led by the Spirit” are “sons of God” (Rom 8:5-17). The “son” is urged to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, proving the will of God, and putting on the new man created in righteousness (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4:22-24). These doctrines were taught in the prior chapters, but now having ‘put them on,’ he can now walk in them, and teach the “doctrine which is according to godliness” unto those who desire to be ‘received.’
Not Being “Ignorant” of Satan’s “Wiles” And Attack Against Him
The Apostle Paul warns in Romans 15:22 about Satan’s attempt to ‘hinder’ the ministry, and “ministers,” and warning against false teachers who cause divisions and teach doctrines of devils later in chapter 16, and urging believers to hold fast to sound doctrine and avoid profane and vain babblings (1 Tim 1:3-7; 6:3-5). Ministers are charged to fight the good fight of faith and maintain a Spiritual mind with a “good conscience” (1 Tim 1:18-20) 29.
The Ensample of Paul and the Expectation for Believers
Paul’s life and ministry serve as an ensample for believers to follow, showing endurance in suffering, boldness in preaching, and selfless love for the saints (2 Cor 11:23-33; Phil 3:17). And emphasizes that the strong are called to suffer “with” Christ to be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17). This means to suffer for His sake, not ours, but operating with a selfless heart, and a Spiritual mind; the strong in the faith would turn to the ‘Doctrine’ of Christ when he suffers, this is how he suffers “with” Christ. He will be “more than a conqueror” when sufferings come, he turns to the Word which “maketh intercession” for us.
The Role of Love in Fulfilling the Law
Love is presented as the fulfillment of the “law of God,” with believers exhorted to owe no man anything but love, which works no ill to a neighbor (Rom 13:8-10). We are not under the Law of Moses, “but under grace,” (Rom. 6:14) but we are taught in Romans chapters 6 thru 7, that we ought to be “under” the ‘subjection,’ and ‘live by,’ and under the ‘dominion’ of the doctrine of the Testator Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ. And the doctrine of the New Testament “according to” the revelation of the mystery is “the Law of God” that we could “fulfill” today by walking in the Spirit with a Spiritual mind, (Rom. 8:1-14) and operating with a selfless heart (Rom. 13:9-10) The practical outworking of love includes the labor of love, patience in tribulation, hospitality, blessing persecutors, and living peaceably with all men (Rom 12:9-21).
Unity, Hope, and Joy in the Life of the Weak in the Faith To “Be” Strong
Believers are encouraged to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, with the doctrine of “peace of God” ‘guarding’ their hearts and minds (Phil 4:4-7; 1 Thes 5:16-18). The hope of the “doctrine which is according to godliness,” and the inheritance of our adoption as sons, is a source of strength and encouragement (Col 1:3-14). And the first 3 verses gives us this understanding that we ought to walk in Christ’s selfless ensample of One who bore the infirmities of the weak and took on the “reproaches of them” who were weak. And this selfless Identity of our Lord is taught unto us as Paul says unto us in verse 3, “for even Christ pleased not Himself.”
Conclusion
Overall, Romans chapter 15 teaching begins with the Romans chapter 14 exhortation given to the “strong” when Paul says, “him that is weak in the faith receive ye,” throughout chapter 14, and until Romans 15:7, when he says, “wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” This is another ensample of walking in Christ’s likeness, but as a ‘Bible Minister,’ with a walk emphasizing selfless love, unity, Spiritual maturity, and the responsibilities, and the ‘godly reputation’ of ministers to bear the burdens of the weak and to faithfully proclaim the gospel for Christ’s sake, and the “sake” of the weak in the faith’s “good to edification.” It highlights the necessity of living by the Spirit, enduring suffering for Christ’s sake, and maintaining sound doctrine for the edification of the church and the glory of God.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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