This chapter gives us an additional motive as to why we should not please ourselves. It is to please Christ, who did not please Himself, but patiently bore all the reproaches of men. We should be likeminded toward one another. The Old Testament scriptures contain many illustrations of what happened in those days so that we could learn patience and be comforted who have hope in the same God. We should also remember that Christ received us with all our imperfections. We certainly weren’t perfect when we came to Him for salvation. In like manner, we are to receive one another, as Christ also received us for God’s glory. The Roman believers were mostly Gentiles. The Apostle shows that there were many Old Testament scriptures that told of blessing going out to Gentiles (vss. 9-12). He is called “the God of hope” because He is able to bring to pass everything that He has promised. He can also fill us with all joy and peace when we believe. If we really love the brethren, we will care for their needs. Here we read that the Gentiles of Macedonia and Achaia helped their poor Jewish brethren in Jerusalem. That’s because the love of God was shed abroad in their hearts. Lastly, Paul wanted the dear Roman believers to pray for him. He requested this because he knew that they had the love of the Spirit in their hearts.
1. For what purpose were the things that ____________ aforetime written down?
Romans 15:___
For
2. How are we to ____________ one another? Romans 15:___
Wherefore
3. What can the God of hope ____________ us with? Romans 15:___
Now
4. For whom did those of Macedonia and ____________ make a contribution?
Romans 15:___
For
5. For the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the ____________ of the Spirit, what did Paul request of the Romans? Romans 15:___
Now