Romans 15:7-13 (WEL) Therefore, accept one another as Christ also accepted us for God’s glory. 8 I say [to you] that Christ Jesus was a minister to the circumcision for God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers. 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for [his] mercy, as it is written, “For this reason I will [gladly] acknowledge you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.” [2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49] 10 Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, along with his people.” [Deuteronomy 32:43 (Septuagint)] 11 Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and praise him all you people.” [Psalm 117:1] 12 In addition, Isaiah says, “There will be a root of Jesse, and he will rise to reign over the Gentiles. In him will the Gentiles trust.” [See Isaiah 11:10] 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
V7 Therefore, accept one another as Christ also accepted us for God’s glory.
The Greek word for receive/accept is G4355 proslambano (προσλαμβάνω, to take to myself. Vine adds: “signifying a special interest on the part of the receiver.” We know and experience that God has accepted us for salvation, justification, reconciliation, adoption, etc. This is divine favor. God accepts us because of faith like Abraham (Genesis 15:6)
Since God has accepted us, we need to accept believers whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor, sick or healthy, etc. This will allow for cultural differences in worship, etc., as long as it does not violate Scripture.
Compare Romans 14:1, Acts 11:18, and Galatians 3:28.
V8 I say [to you] that Christ Jesus was a minister to the circumcision for God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers…
The circumcision refers to ethnic Israelites. Jesus preached and lived the truth. Jesus never sinned, told the truth, prayed for Israel, and blessed Israel in many ways from spiritual to emotional and physical blessings. He came to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and his 12 sons). The Greek word for confirm in G950 βεβαιόω bebaióō, which means (Word Study Dictionary): “To make firm or reliable so as to warrant security and inspire confidence, to strengthen, make true, fulfill (Mark 16:20; Romans 15:8; 1 Corinthians 1:6; Hebrews 2:3).”
The word truth is very important. What Jesus said and lived is truth. His words are truth and life and are not to be redefined or interpreted in any way other than the plain, normal sense. Truth is reality. This is a truth that is not only real but reliable and trustworthy. Jesus, God the Son, is the standard of what is true (John 14:6).
Bridge Bible Dictionary: “All these meanings [of truth—mine] are in some way applied to God (Psalm 19:9; Jeremiah 10:9-10; Jeremiah 42:5; Micah 6:20; Romans 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 16:7). Truth is God’s very nature. He is the basic reality from which everything else springs (John 1:3-4; John 1:14; John 8:26; Romans 1:25). God became human in Jesus, and therefore Jesus is truth in human form (John 14:6; Ephesians 4:21; Revelation 3:7). As the Old Testament spoke of the God of truth or, to use the related word, the God of the Amen (Isaiah 65:16), so the New Testament speaks of Jesus as the Amen. He is the one in whom God’s truth is perfectly expressed, and through whom God’s promises are perfectly fulfilled (John 1:17; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 3:14.”
V9 …And that the Gentiles might glorify God for [his] mercy, as it is written, “For this reason I will [gladly] acknowledge you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.” [2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49]
This is a principle for those who have believed the Gospel of Jesus and trusted in Him. We do glorify God for His mercy extended to the Gentiles, too.
Annotated Bible on 1 John 1:1-4: “In the five chapters in the Gospel of John, beginning with the feet-washing and ending with the great intercessory prayer of our Lord (13-17), the word “Father” occurs fifty times. It is in this part of the Gospel that the Son makes known the Father. Through the Son, we have the knowledge of the Father and the knowledge of the Father’s love. His delight was to glorify the Father in a life of devotion and obedience. And as the believer delights Himself in the Father, honors Him, and yields obedience to Him, he has fellowship with the Son, has the same thing in common with the Son. Fellowship with the Father and with the Son is therefore not a feeling or some extraordinary experience.”
V10 Again, he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, along with his people.” [Deuteronomy 32:43 (Septuagint)]
Another Old Testament quote showing the promise of the Gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. As the Scriptural principle states: 2 Corinthians 13:1 (MSB). This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
V11 Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and praise him, all you people.” [Psalm 117:1]
The third witness from the Old Testament. People refers to Israelites. Both Jews and Gentiles find it easy to praise God for His provision of salvation and application of salvation to those who have faith and trust in Jesus alone.
V12 In addition, Isaiah says, “There will be a root of Jesse, and he will rise to reign over the Gentiles. In him will the Gentiles trust.” [See Isaiah 11:10]
A root refers to the Davidic Covenant. See 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, which is unconditional. Jesus will be king over all the earth, not just Israel. See Zechariah 14:9.
V13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s benediction for the believers in Rome. The God of hope is the one we expect for all the spiritual blessings He has promised (Ephesians 1:3). Paul prays that we have joy, peace, and hope through the power (help, assisting grace) of the Holy Spirit who lives in us (Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19, and Ephesians 1:13).
We learn:
- Salvation offered to the Gentiles was promised in the Old Testament.
- God confirms His promises by fulfilling them.
Questions:
- Are you praising God for His salvation?
- Do you have hope?