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| 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. |
That are strong – Intellectually, physically and spiritually. R4927:3, 1954:6, 216:5
The elders, older in years, older and more developed in the truth. R4927:6
There are not so many strong; it behooves each of us to become strong and helpful to the weak brethren in the Church. R4995:1
All are not alike strong in the faith, but the stronger should not despise the weaker. Paul approves the stronger, but counsels patience and consideration on their part. R1734:3
Some Corinthian Christians felt that it made no difference whether they partook of meat offered to idols or not, since the meat suffered no change, and since they had no sympathy with the idolatrous worship. R1586:6
All of this world are not equally endowed with perceptive and reasoning powers and judgment and acquisitive propensities. Forceful, intellectual power makes natural leaders. R1954:6
Ought to bear – Stronger ones should not rail at, or make light of, a brother's conscientious weakness, but receive him as a brother, trusting that experience will bring him to the liberty which others reached quickly. R1734:4
If the stronger brethren by sarcasm should try to force the weaker ones to use a liberty which they do not realize, it would be forcing them into sin. R5556:2
This does not imply that we should not expostulate with such a one and endeavor to help him to get rid of his infirmity. R5557:4, 4767:1, 3647:2
Weaker brethren should be left to the liberty of their own consciences. Love and truth may be used in hope of educating them to an appreciation of their full privileges as free men in Christ. R5556:2
Be peacemakers amongst the brethren. R4995:1
Because the Lord's people have "this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7) all of which are imperfect through the fall, true love ought to produce in our deportment great self-restraint lest we injure their weakness. R4263:5
As a matter of equity, laws should compensate for inequalities of the fallen race; but the only hope for this is the glorious Millennium; and many will then begin to search for true riches. R1954:6
The great principle set forth is the principle of love, the essence of the divine spirit. R4927:2
The infirmities – In the Body of Christ, the various members have inherited weaknesses, against which they must wage a lifelong warfare; these sometimes interfere with the rights and comforts of others and themselves. R3647:1
The stronger should bear with them in their difficulties as well as bear some of their blunders. R5557:4, 4927:3, 3647:2
They seek the welfare of others as well as of themselves, especially the welfare of the household of faith. R4927:2
The mission of the stronger would be so to call the attention of others to their weaknesses as not to offend or stumble them. R4927:3, 5557:4
All men were not enlightened by the gospel and so relieved from superstition; and the eating of meats offered to idols seemed to them to be an indorsement of idol-worship. R1587:1
The Apostle urges growth to the brother who thinks himself under bondage regarding meat or Sabbath days, and does not teach that this bondage is right considering the liberty we have in Christ. R1734:4
The weak – Intellectually, physically and spiritually. R4927:3
The younger. R4927:6
The weaker ones of the household of faith are to be cared for and loved and helped that they may grow strong in the Lord. R4767:1
Faith, in its beginning, is always comparatively weak: but God does not despise the day of small things. "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench." (Matt. 12:20) R2163:4*
It should be sufficient to know that God accepts even the weakest one--weak in the faith, under bondage to fast days--who thinks that our Redeemer wishes him to be bound by such ordinances. R1734:4
Please ourselves – Principles may never be abandoned for any consideration; but liberties and personal rights may be ignored in the interest of others frequently and to divine pleasing. R4928:4, 5557:2, 5412:2, 4927:6
Use care that others are not injured by our liberty in Christ. R5555:3
We should look beyond our own preferences, seeking to arrange our own affairs so as to be most helpful to the brethren. R4928:1
Too often the Lord's people fellowship with those of the brethren most congenial to them in cultivation or in advancement. Rather, we are to "cover the blemishes" of those who are weak and out of the way. R4269:5
The Apostle does not teach that each should make up his mind and stick to it, whether right or wrong. R1734:4
We are not merely to please ourselves in respect to time and place of meetings. R4928:1
The elders and deacons should seek to arrange their meetings so as to assist all the congregation who have time and ability, etc., that all will feel that there is no class separation. R4928:4
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| 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. |
Every one of us – Not "The younger" nor "The older" but every one of us. R5412:1
We should deny self rather than injure another's conscience. R5412:2
While the new creature should have his own upbuilding prominent in his mind, he should also remember that he has a responsibility in being a member of Christ and be willing to serve others. R4927:6
He who does not learn to sacrifice his own preferences in the interests of others, will never have that character which the Lord demands of those who shall be joint-heirs with himself in the Kingdom. R4479:4
Please – It is not possible for us to please all people. The direction of our energies should be for their good as we have opportunity. We should rouse them to love and good works as far as possible. R5556:4
According to right principles. R5413:4
Even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Cor. 10:33) R4479:1
If every Christian could apply these words to himself, the effect upon the world would be magical--energizing. They would see in Christians a renouncement of their own preferences in the interests of others. R4479:4
His neighbor – Those closest to us: the brethren, our families, and then others. No amount of zeal for the service of the truth will excuse us from the duties which we owe to our families. R5557:1
His brother; patiently submitting to the discomfort his errors entail. R4767:4, 3647:2
We have a responsibility towards those who are not so strong or not so clearly informed as ourselves--a responsibility that we will not wish to pass by if our hearts are in tune with the spirit of divine love. R4479:4
For his good – Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor's good. (1 Cor. 10:24) R4478:6
This does not mean that we should necessarily please them according to the flesh. Rather, "Stir up their pure minds," their spiritual minds, to love and faith and zeal, to good works. R5556:4
Should all those now enjoying present truth resolve to live up to the standard of the Lord, what an influence it would bring, what an influence would extend from their words, their thoughts, their deeds! R4479:4
To edification – To assist, uplift, upbuild, primarily in spiritual things. R5412:6
Not by ignoring his fault, but by kindly urging him to strive against it. R4767:4, 3647:2
All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Cor. 10:23) R4478:6
Our general conduct, conversation, manners, dress, etc., should all be to the glory of God. R1587:4
We are not to descend to the world's methods. If we cannot please them by that which is good, we are to avoid unnecessary contact. R5556:5
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| 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. |
For even Christ – Those who deny themselves what their consciences permit, have the greater blessing. They can realize in an additional degree that they are following in the Master's steps. R5556:2, 1734:4
We are enlisted under the banner of Christ, which is the banner of love. We are to look well to the rules which belong to this new order of things of which we have become members. R5556:3
Pleased not himself – Christ sacrificed his own spirit, and was filled with the spirit of God. "The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63) They express the mind of God, in giving heed to which is life. R371:5
He was not in the world to seek to do the things pleasing to his own flesh. He renounced his own fleshly interests and gratification for the benefit of mankind. R5556:3
So we are to give thought and time to pleasing others where this will not conflict with our consecration. R5656:5, 1734:4
Lev. 2:11 forbade honey, to teach that whatever is sweet to nature must be disowned, if we would walk after the example of Christ who pleased not himself. R84:5*
Jonah was more interested in himself and his own reputation than in the Ninevites and their interests. The Lord's servants must not be so! R4785:6
Reproaches – The reproaches of the Scribes and Pharisees were evidently the most cutting of all. R2316:4, 1964:4
"Let us go to him without the camp bearing the reproach with him." (Heb. 13:13) R3776:5
Fell on me – Whoever will faithfully exercise his ambassadorship, can so say. E490; R1964:5
This does not mean that the disciples of Christ are to seek their own misery, but they are to give their thought and time to pleasing others rather than themselves. R5556:6
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| 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. |
Written aforetime – In the Old Testament. R5607:2
It is a great mistake to affirm that the Bible is the product of the Church. The Old Testament Scriptures were written before the Church came into being--before Christ, the head and forerunner of the Church. R1584:3
The Old Testament Scriptures abound in significant types, one of which is the nation of Israel, a picture of what he is now doing and what he purposes to do through Christ and the Church to the world. CR485:1
"Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit," in various times and places, uttering words not knowing what they meant, words constituting a harmonious whole. (2 Pet. 1:21) OV407:4
For our – Prophecies of the past were written for the special instruction of the Church. PD37/48
Even those things in Jeremiah's prophecy which were applicable in some measure to his day were of two-fold significance--applying also to the mystic Babylon of this Gospel age. R3614:3
Learning – Instruction. R3435:2
Not for the learning of those who uttered them. B23
The holy Spirit of God is exerted in directing those now begotten through the pathway of their humanity, and upholds them by unfolding the exceeding great and precious promises of God's Word. R385:4*
An example of spiritual lessons to spiritual Israel, found in the Old Testament's account of experiences of the past: Gideon's call resembles the Gospel call for volunteers on the side of righteousness. R5607:2
That we – Prophecies, though recorded aforetime, and made to bear witness to the divine foreknowledge and arrangement, were for the learning of those living in the due time for their fulfillment. B23
The sanctified in Christ Jesus, not the for the unregenerate world. R3646:3
Jeremiah and his scribe prepared another statement of the prophecy destroyed by King Jehoiakim; and this larger and fuller book was designed for the instruction of the Gospel Church. R3614:3
And comfort – "The Comforter, which is the holy Spirit." (John 14:26) E268, E267
To the "new creature in Christ" who seeks to know the Father's will, comfort and peace and joy and contentment are found in the instruction of the divine Word, even in the midst of tribulation and persecution. E268
The holy Spirit comforts the Church through the Scriptures, and through the promises of God, the truth. R3435:1
The Scriptures are the medium through which the knowledge of God's grace and the comfort of all knowledge reach us. R2665:1, 3435:1, 385:3*, 372:3
Of the scriptures – The Word of God, as the channel of the truth, is to comfort us in proportion as the holy Spirit guides us into an understanding of it. R3435:1
The Word of the Lord through the apostles is not the product of the Church but of divine revelation. R1584:4
Might have hope – Because we are commanded to be subject to the powers that be, we receive comfort and hope through the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its divine interpretation. A252
The hope of the Gospel. R1584:4
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| 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: |
And consolation – The mission of the brethren is to comfort the Church as the channels of the holy Spirit, and as the mouthpieces of God. R3435:2
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| 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
With one mind – "Gathering or Scattering. Which?" offers kind words of admonition. The love of Christ constrains us to be of "one mind," "one mouth," "of the same judgment," having the "same love." R3920:2*
The oneness of thought, mind and action required of the Church of God, may be seen in this text and others, including "Love one another, as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples." (John 13:34, 35) R1130:6*
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| 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. |
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| 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: |
Of the circumcision – Symbolizing a cutting off, a separation from the flesh, its aims, hopes and desires. R3022:3
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| 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. |
That the Gentiles might glorify God – In this chapter Paul alludes to and explains something of God's plan relative to the casting away, and subsequent restoration of the Jews; and hints at the casting away of the Gentile Church likewise. R777:3*
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| 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. |
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| 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. |
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| 12 And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. |
A root – Origin, source of life, progenitor. E136
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| 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. |
Peace in believing – Our peace in Christ begins from the moment we begin to believe in him. R2625:2
Whosoever believes in Jesus as the propitiation for his sins has a rest not transitory but permanent, not partial but complete. R543:6
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| 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. |
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| 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, |
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| 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. |
The offering up – Our sacrifice forms a part of the sin-offering, the completing of Jesus' sacrifice. PT392:T*
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| 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
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| 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, |
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| 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. |
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| 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: |
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| 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. |
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| 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. |
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| 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; |
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| 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. |
On my way – A precedent for helping our preaching brethren on their way. R449:5*
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| 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. |
Saints – The truly consecrated among professing Christians. R1139:1
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| 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. |
Saints – The truly consecrated among professing Christians. R1139:1
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| 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. |
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| 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. |
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| 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. |
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| 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; |
That ye strive – Greek: agonize. R1865:5
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| 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; |
In Judea – The nominal church. R238:6*
For Jerusalem – The Bride. R238:6*
Saints – The truly consecrated among professing Christians. R1139:1
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| 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. |
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| 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. |
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