A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 15
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Romans 15
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Romans 15
"Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." — Romans 15:1 (ASV)
We the strong (ημεις ο δυνατο). Paul identifies himself with this wing in the controversy. He means the morally strong as in 2 Corinthians 12:10; 13:9, not the mighty as in 1 Corinthians 1:26.
The infirmities (τα ασθενηματα). "The weaknesses" (cf. ασθενων in 14:1,2), the scruples "of the not strong" (των αδυνατων). See Ac 14:8 where it is used of the man weak in his feet (impotent).
To bear (βασταζειν). As in Ga 6:2, common in the figurative sense.
Not to please ourselves (μη εαυτοις αρεσκειν). Precisely Paul's picture of his own conduct in 1 Corinthians 10:33.
"Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying." — Romans 15:2 (ASV)
For that which is good (εις το αγαθον). "For the good." As in 14:16,19. Not to please men just for popular favours, but for their benefit.
"For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me." — Romans 15:3 (ASV)
Pleased not himself (ουχ εαυτω ηρεσεν). Aorist active indicative of αρεσκω with the usual dative. The supreme example for Christians. See 14:15. He quotes Ps 69:9 (Messianic Psalm) and represents the Messiah as bearing the reproaches of others.
"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)
Were written aforetime (προεγραφη). Second aorist passive indicative of προγραφω, old verb, in N.T. only here, Galatians 3:1 (which see); Ephesians 3:3; Jude 1:4.
For our learning (εις την ημετεραν διδασκαλιαν). "For the instruction of us." Objective sense of possessive pronoun ημετερος. See Mt 15:9; 2 Timothy 3:16 for διδασκαλιαν (from διδασκω, to teach).
We might have hope (την ελπιδα εχωμεν). Present active subjunctive of εχω with ινα in final clause, "that we might keep on having hope." One of the blessed uses of the Scriptures.
"Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:" — Romans 15:5 (ASV)
The God of patience and comfort (ο θεος της υπομονης κα της παρακλησεως). Genitive case of the two words in verse 4 used to describe God who uses the Scriptures to reveal himself to us. See 2 Corinthians 1:3 for this idea; Romans 15:13 for "the God of hope"; 15:33 for "the God of peace."
Grant you (δωιη υμιν). Second aorist active optative (Koine form for older δοιη) as in 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:16,18; 2:25, though MSS. vary in Eph 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:25 for δωη (subjunctive). The optative here is for a wish for the future (regular idiom).
According to Christ Jesus (κατα Χριστον Ιησουν). "According to the character or example of Christ Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:17; Colossians 2:8; Ephesians 5:24).
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