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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 15:1-4

The apostle here lays down two precepts, with reasons to enforce them, showing the duty of the strong Christian to consider and condescend to the weakest. I. We must bear the infirmities of the weak, Rom. 15:1. We all have our infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others?the weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 15:5-6

The apostle, having delivered two exhortations, before he proceeds to more, intermixes here a prayer for the success of what he had said. Faithful ministers water their preaching with their prayers, because, whoever sows the seed, it is God that gives the increase. We can but speak to the ear; it is God's prerogative to speak to the heart. Observe, I. The title he gives to God: The God of patience and consolation, who is both the author and the foundation of all the patience and consolation of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 15:7-12

The apostle here returns to his exhortation to Christians. What he says here (Rom. 15:7) is to the same purport with the former; but the repetition shows how much the apostle's heart was upon it. ?Receive one another into your affection, into your communion, and into your common conversation, as there is occasion.? He had exhorted the strong to receive the weak (Rom. 14:1), here, Receive one another; for sometimes the prejudices of the weak Christian make him shy of the strong, as much as the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 15:13

Here is another prayer directed to God, as the God of hope; and it is, as the former (Rom. 15:5), for spiritual blessings: these are the blest blessings, and to be first and chiefly prayed for. I. Observe how he addresses himself to God, as the God of hope. It is good in prayer to fasten upon those names, titles, and attributes of God, which are most suitable to the errand we come upon, and will best serve to encourage our faith concerning it. Every word in the prayer should be a plea. Thus... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 15:1-6

15:1-6 It is the duty of us who are strong to bear the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please our neighbour, but always for his good and always for his upbuilding in the faith. For the Anointed One of God did not please himself, but, as it stands written, "The insults of those who were insulting you fell upon me." All the things that were written long ago were written to teach us, so that, through our fortitude, and through the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 15:7-13

15:7-13 So, then, welcome one another as Christ welcomed you, that God may be praised. What I mean is this--Christ became a servant of the Jewish race and way of life for the sake of God's truth, not only to guarantee the promises which the fathers received, but also that the Gentiles should praise God for his mercy. As it stands written: "Therefore I will offer praise to God among the Gentiles and I will sing to your name." And, again it says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles with his people." And,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 15:1

We then that are strong ,.... Meaning not only ministers of the Gospel, who are men of strong parts, great abilities, mighty in the Scriptures, valiant for the truth on earth, and pillars in God's house; for though the apostle includes himself, yet not merely as such, but as expressing it to be his duty in common with other Christians; and the rather he does this, to engage them to the practice of it: but the stronger and more knowing part of private Christians are here intended; the Apostle... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 15:2

Let everyone of us please his neighbour ,.... Every man, particularly his Christian friend and brother, whom he should seek to please in all things, and by all means lawful; he should carry it affably and courteously, should make himself agreeable to him; should condescend and accommodate himself to his weakness, and bear his infirmities, and deny himself rather than displease him. The Vulgate Latin version and some copies read, "let everyone of you"; but the other reading is preferable, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 15:3

For even Christ pleased not himself ,.... He sought not his own ease, pleasure, profit, honour, and glory, but to do his Father's will and work, John 4:34 ; and he always did the things which pleased him, in his obedience, sufferings, and death; and sought not his own, but his glory: moreover, what he did and suffered were not for himself, but for us; he became incarnate for us; he obeyed, suffered, and died for us; he came not to be ministered to, to be attended upon as an earthly prince,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime ,.... In the books of the Old Testament; the apostle says this, to vindicate the pertinency of the above citation, and to prevent any objection that might be made against it; since whatsoever was written in that psalm did not belong personally to David, but to Christ; and what is written concerning him, is designed for the use and instruction of his people; yea, whatever is written anywhere in the sacred Scriptures, were written for our... read more

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