Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 15

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 15


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Romans 15

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
Please Your Fellow Men, Not Yourself Bearing Others' Burdens The Strong Should Bear the Weak Please Others, Not Yourselves ROMANS (14:22-15:6) Rom_15:1-6 Rom_15:1-6 Rom_15:1-6 Rom_15:1-6 The Gospel for Gentiles and Jews Alike Glorify God Together The Gospel to the Gentiles Rom_15:7-13 Rom_15:7-13 Rom_15:7-13 Rom_15:7-12 Rom_15:7-12 Rom_15:13 Rom_15:13 Paul's Missionary Commission From Jerusalem to Illyricum Personal Notes Paul's Reason for Writing So Boldly Paul's Ministry Rom_15:14-21 Rom_15:14-21 Rom_15:14-21 Rom_15:14-21 Rom_15:14-16 Rom_15:17-21 Paul's Plan to Visit Rome Plan to Visit Rome Paul's Plan to Visit Rome Paul's Plans Rom_15:22-29 Rom_15:22-33 Rom_15:22-29 Rom_15:22-29 Rom_15:22-26 Rom_15:27-29 Rom_15:30-33 Rom_15:30-33 Rom_15:30-33 Rom_15:30-33 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary ,which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Rom_15:1-13

A. The discussion about Christian freedom and responsibility is continuing in Rom_15:1-13 from Romans 14.



B. The entire argument of Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13 could be outlined as

1. accept one another because God accepts us in Christ (cf. Rom_14:1; Rom_14:3; Rom_15:7)

2. do not judge one another because Christ is our only Master and Judge (cf. Rom_14:3-12)

3. love is more important than personal freedom (cf. Rom_14:13-23)

4. follow Christ's example and lay down your rights for others' edification and good (cf. Rom_15:1-13)



C. Rom_15:5-6 reflects the three-fold purpose of the entire context of Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13

1. live in harmony with one another

2. live in accordance with Christ's example

3. with unified hearts and lips offer united praise to God



D. This same tension between personal freedom and corporate responsibility is dealt with in 1 Corinthians 8-10.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. How is the OT a benefit to NT believers (Rom_15:4-5; 1Co_10:6; 1Co_10:11)?

2. Why does Paul quote the OT in Rom_15:9-12? What great truth do they teach?

3. Where in this section of Romans does the tension between Jew and Gentile possibly appear?

4. Where in this section of Romans does the tension about Paul's apostleship appear?

5. What was Paul's reason for the offering of the Gentile churches for the church in Jerusalem (Rom_15:15-28)?

6. What was Paul's missionary strategy? Why did he want to go to Spain?

7. How and why does Paul describe his work as that of a priest (v.16) relating to Israel as a Kingdom of Priests (Exo_19:5-6) or to the church (I. Pet. Rom_2:5; Rom_2:9; Rev_1:6)?

8. Did God answer Paul's prayer of Rom_15:30-33?