Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 15:4

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope." — Romans 15:4 (ASV)

For whatsoever things, this is a general observation that struck the apostle's mind, from the particular case he had just specified. He had just used a striking passage in the Psalms for his purpose. The thought seems to have suddenly occurred to him that all the Old Testament was admirably adapted to express Christian duties and doctrine, and he therefore turned aside from his direct argument to express this sentiment. It should be read as a parenthesis.

Were written aforetime. That is, in ancient times; in the Old Testament.

For our learning. For our teaching or instruction. Not that this was the only purpose of the writings of the Old Testament, to instruct Christians; but that all the Old Testament might be useful now in illustrating and enforcing the doctrines and duties of piety toward God and humanity.

Through patience. This does not mean, as our translation might seem to suppose, patience of the Scriptures; but it means that by patiently enduring sufferings, in connection with the consolation which the Scriptures provide, we might have hope. The tendency of patience, the apostle tells us (Romans 5:4), is to produce hope.

And comfort of the Scriptures. By means of the consolation which the writings of the Old Testament provide. The word rendered comfort also means exhortation or admonition. If this is its meaning here, it refers to the admonitions that the Scriptures suggest, instructions that they impart, and the exhortations to patience in trials. If it means comfort, then the reference is to the examples of the saints in affliction; to their recorded expressions of confidence in God in their trials, such as those of Job, Daniel, David, etc. It is not easy to determine which is the precise meaning of the word here.

Might have hope.

We may learn here:

1. That afflictions may prove to be a great blessing.

2. That the proper tendency is to produce hope.

3. That the way to find support in afflictions is to go to the Bible. By the example of the ancient saints, by the expression of their confidence in God, by their patience, we may learn to suffer, and may not only be instructed, but may find comfort in all our trials. See the example of Paul himself in 2 Corinthians 1:3–11.