15:1 Personal Commitment to the Brethren
I Cor. 9:19-20,22 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
15:2 Personal commitment to all men- I Cor. 10:33
Rom. 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
I Cor. 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Cor. 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
15:3 Personal commitment to Christ - Psalm 69:9-11
Ps 40:6-8 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mt 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
John4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross
15:4 Personal commitment to Scripture - I Cor. 10:11
Ps 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Rom. 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Col 1:5-6 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
1Thess. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2 Thess 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1Pet 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Pet 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Rom. 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Ps 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Ps 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Ps 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Ro 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
15:5 Personal commitment to be like God - Phil. 2:1-5
2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
Ro 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
2 Chron 30:12 Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
Jer 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
15:6 Personal commitment to glorify God -
Ro 15:9 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.
Ro 15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
Ro 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Ac 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Ac 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
15:7-19 God’s Responsibility and Our Hope
15:7 "Wherefore receive ye one
another" - proslambanesqe - Pres Imp - to take to one’s self, a special interest on the part of the receiver, suggesting a welcome."As Christ also received us to the glory of God" - Aor Mid Ind / proselabeto hmaV, eiV doxan qeou
15:8 "minister"/ servant, deacon
"To confirm the promises made unto the fathers"/ patriarchs
- Bebaiwsai
- establish, make secure, stable
Heb.
2:3
15:9 "And that the Gentiles might glorify God...." - all peoples and nations outside of Israel. The real fulfillment of the promises to the Jews should evoke praise from the Gentiles.
"For this cause I will confess to thee... and sing unto thy name" - loghsomai - intense, strong form, public acknowledgment, open verbal claim with thankfulness
15:10 Deut. 32:43
15:11 Isa. 11:10
15:13 I Peter 1:8
15:14 "Persuaded"/ pepeismai - arriving at a settled conviction with the influence of reason and morals.
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
"Goodness"/ agaqwsunhV - Pf tense meaning that they were filled in in the past, are still filled in the present. Gal. 5:22
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
2 Thessalonians 1:11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
"Filled with all knowledge"/ entirely filled with the continual knowledge of the gospel and its results.
"Admonish one another"/ nouqetein - putting in mind, reproof, etc.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
15:15 "...because of the grace that is given to me of God." - Cf. Romans 1:5; 12:3,6
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 1 Cor. 3:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 1 Cor. 15:10-11
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called
me by his grace,16 To reveal his
Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred
not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:15-16
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Gal 2:9
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Eph 3:7-8
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 1 Tim 1:11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
15:16 "that I should be the minister" - leitourgon - a public minister, a servant, so of military labourers, of the temple, of one busied with holy things, of a priest, of the servants of a king.
The greatness of the change in a man’s life is seen in Paul’s use of this word. Knowing his background, heritage, education, etc., this word becomes critical to understanding Paul’s real heart. It is this quality of being a servant that brought to bear the real change that Christ can make in a life, and then allowed him to be a more effective witness of Christ’s power.
Christ’s Great Example of being a minister
Matthew 20:26,28 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Christ’s True Servants as an Example
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
"Of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God" - ieroourgounta - to minister in the manner of a priest, minister in priestly service, of those who defend the sanctity of the law by undergoing a violent death, of the preaching of the gospel. Used one time in the N.T. In order to minister in the fashion of ierourgounta, you must first be the minister of Jesus Christ in the fashion of leirourgon!
**Why should Paul be a minister to the Gentiles? What was the purpose for this calling?
"That the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable..." - EuprosdektoV -well received by the Jews
**Why should the Jews accept the gentiles, when they previously despised them? Because the calling of the gentiles and ministering to them is: "Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost"/ hgiasmenh - Pf Pass Ptc
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:19-22
15:17 "in those things which pertain to God"/ ta proV qeon
15:22 "...been much hindered..."/ enekopromhn - to cut into, to impede one's course by cutting off his way by persons who impede progress by obstacles in the way. I Thess. 2:18; Gal. 5:7 - Satanic opposition
15:28 "sealed"/ the formal ratification of the ministry of the churches in Greece and Galatia to the saints in Judea. The material help was the fruit of the spiritual ministry of Paul, because the Gentiles recognized the spiritual ministry of the Judean Christians to them.
15:29-32 Exegete simply