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by Howard
Watson
Verses one through seven summarize the issue of
judgment between Christians.
The strong support the weak for the edification and building up
of the other. Paul uses a strong verb/infinitive here in verse one
"bastazein"(Gk. meaning to bear). He also uses a strong
verb/infinitive "areskein" (Gk. meaning to please) even
as Christ chose not to please Himself in dying for sinners. Christ
pleased God the Father in dying for sinners; remember His prayer
in the garden of Gethsemane, Mtt. 26:36-46. See chapter fifteen
verses two and three. All believers are equally one before God in
Christ, whether a circumcised Jew in the flesh, or an uncircumcised,
in the flesh, Gentile. Thus, we are to receive one another in one
mind "phronein" (Gk. to have in mind, to think of), while
glorifying God the Father.
Paul rejoices in the ministry given to him of God, to preach the
Gospel among the Gentiles, although he always went to the Jews first,
when going into a new area to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Jesus had said that the Gospel was to the Jews first and then to
the rest of the peoples of the earth. The apostolic preaching was
to start first at Jerusalem and Judea. See verses eight through
twenty-one. This all was in direct fulfillment of O. T. prophesy.
Paul gloried in the ministry to the Gentiles which was given to
him in a special call found in the book of Acts chapter nine. He
asks that they in Rome pray for him as he hopes to come to them
in this ministry to yet unreached places and, therefore, to be sent
on to Spain by them. But he wants to return to Jerusalem first for
ministry/service there, even though many Jews have opposed him and
his ministry to the Gentiles. See verses 22 and following.
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