Reading and meditation on Chapter 15 of the Letter to the Romans:
“We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even the Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written: “The reproaches of those reproaching you have fallen upon me.” 4 For all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that unitedly you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verses 1-6).
These remarks follow what he wrote in chapter 14, meaning that the « strong » in question are mature Christians who respect the consciences of others without passing judgment. Not pleasing oneself means that when we hold a different view from our neighbor, we should not automatically prioritize our own personal preferences when no biblical principle is at stake. Naturally, we can imitate Christ, our pattern, but also learn from reading the Bible and its historical account.
“So welcome one another, just as the Christ also welcomed you, with glory to God in view. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a minister of those who are circumcised in behalf of God’s truthfulness, so as to verify the promises He made to their forefathers, 9 and that the nations might glorify God for his mercy. Just as it is written: “That is why I will openly acknowledge you among the nations, and to your name I will sing praises.” 10 And again he says: “Be glad, you nations, with his people.” 11 And again: “Praise Jehovah, all you nations, and let all the peoples praise him.” 12 And again Isaiah says: “There will be the root of Jesʹse, the one arising to rule nations; on him nations will rest their hope.” 13 May the God who gives hope fill you with all joy and peace by your trusting in him, so that you may abound in hope with power of holy spirit” (verses 7-13).
Verse 8 states that Christ became a minister to the circumcised. In the Bible, the word « minister » means servant. Jesus Christ carried out His ministry primarily in Palestine, in the regions of Galilee and Judea; His ministry was focused on the Jewish people. The account of Jesus and the Phoenician woman clearly highlights this aspect of his ministry: “Leaving there, Jesus now went into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And look! a Phoenician woman from that region came and cried out: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is cruelly demon possessed.” 23 But he did not say a word in answer to her. So his disciples came and began to urge him: “Send her away, because she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered: “I was not sent to anyone except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But the woman came and did obeisance to him, saying: “Lord, help me!” 26 In answer he said: “It is not right to take the bread of the children and throw it to the little dogs.” 27 She said: “Yes, Lord, but really the little dogs do eat of the crumbs falling from the table of their masters.” 28 Then Jesus replied to her: “O woman, great is your faith; let it happen to you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour on” (Matthew 15:21-28).
“Now I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and that you are able to admonish one another. 15 However, I have written to you more outspokenly on some points, so as to give you another reminder, because of the undeserved kindness given to me from God 16 for me to be a public servant of Christ Jesus to the nations. I am engaging in the holy work of the good news of God, so that these nations might be an acceptable offering, sanctified with holy spirit. 17 So I have reason to exult in Christ Jesus over the things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak about anything except what Christ has done through me in order for the nations to be obedient, by my word and deed, 19 with the power of signs and wonders, with the power of God’s spirit, so that from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Il·lyrʹi·cum I have thoroughly preached the good news about the Christ. 20 In this way, indeed, I made it my aim not to declare the good news where the name of Christ had already been made known, so as not to build on another man’s foundation; 21 but just as it is written: “Those who received no report about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand”” (verses 14-21).
While Jesus Christ focused His ministry on the Jews of Palestine, the Apostle Paul carried out his among the nations. This preaching to the nations began with the conversion of Cornelius and his household, and it was the Apostle Peter who inaugurated this ministry (read Acts 10). Paul explains his planned missionary itinerary; he intends to travel as far as Spain, passing through Rome first:
“This is also why I was many times hindered from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have untouched territory in these regions, and for many years I have longed to come to you. 24 Therefore, when I journey to Spain, I hope that I will see you and be accompanied partway there by you after I have first enjoyed your company for a time. 25 But now I am about to travel to Jerusalem to minister to the holy ones. 26 For those in Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their things by a contribution to the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem. 27 True, they have been pleased to do so, and indeed they were debtors to them; for if the nations have shared in their spiritual things, they also owe it to minister to them with their material things. 28 So after I have finished with this and have delivered this contribution securely to them, I will depart by way of you for Spain. 29 Moreover, I know that when I do come to you, I will come with a full measure of blessing from Christ” (verses 22-29).
In the conclusion of Chapter 15, he explains that he is facing serious difficulties due to the violent opposition of unbelievers from Judea. A reading of the Acts of the Apostles reveals that, on several occasions, unbelievers from Judea violently attacked him—not only spiritually, in the realm of teaching, but also physically, by attempting to kill him (particularly in chapters 21 through 28). Consequently, faced with such a desperate situation, he asks the brothers and sisters to pray for his deliverance from this violent opposition:
“Now I urge you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the spirit, that you exert yourselves with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my ministry in behalf of Jerusalem may prove to be acceptable to the holy ones, 32 so that by God’s will I will come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. 33 May the God who gives peace be with all of you. Amen” (verses 30-33).
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