RSV ~ Romans 15 Notes

Rom 15:1 | ISB Notes

We who are: Paul counts himself among the strong Christians set free from Mosaic regulations and their claims upon the conscience.

to bear with: Not just tolerate, but lovingly encourage and uphold.

the failings: Literally, “the weaknesses”. These are not sins, but the scruples of the weak about various foods (14:14).

Rom 15:3 | ISB Notes

The reproaches: A reference to Ps 69:9.

• Psalm 69 describes the righteous sufferer who is persecuted for his faithfulness to God. Paul portrays Jesus in these terms, stressing that Christ followed the will of the Father for the benefit of others, even unto death (Mk 14:36; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:8). His example should inspire the strong to lay aside their pride and unselfishly serve the weak.

Rom 15:4 | ISB Notes

encouragement of the Scriptures: The Scriptures of Israel remain essential to the life and liturgy of the Church, being filled with wisdom for Christian living (1 Cor 10:11). The unity of the two Testaments, Old and New, rests on the unity of salvation history and the divine authorship of all the biblical books (2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21) (CCC 121-22).

Rom 15:7 | ISB Notes

Christ has welcomed you: Jesus is the model for Paul’s exhortations (14:1, 3) (CCC 520).

Rom 15:8 | ISB Notes

a servant to the circumcised: Jesus mainly confined his ministry to the people of Israel (Mt 15:24). Paul is here challenging the strong in Rome to serve the “weak” of Israel (Rom 14:1).

Rom 15:9-12 | ISB Notes

A chain of OT verses that envision the international make-up of the Church, where Israel and the Gentiles come together to worship the Lord side by side.

• The four OT passages are linked together by reference to Gentiles (Ps 18:49; the Greek version of Deut 32:43; Ps 117:1; Is 11:10). They support Paul’s perspective throughout Romans that the Scriptures of Israel look forward to the full inclusion of the Gentiles in the family of God.

Rom 15:12 | ISB Notes

The root of Jesse: A messianic title for Jesus (Rev 5:5). He was expected to be a descendant of King David (Rom 1:3), whose father was named Jesse (1 Sam 16:1-13). See note on Rom 11:16.

Rom 15:14-16 | ISB Notes

Paul’s closing exhortations and greetings. He sketches briefly his plans to evangelize the world further with the enlisted support of the Roman Christians (15:24, 30).

Rom 15:16 | ISB Notes

offering of the Gentiles: Paul views his missionary work as a priestly ministry. His sacrifice is the Gentile world converted to Christ and sanctified by the Spirit.

• Paul seems to allude to the missionary prophecy of Is 66:18-20, where God sends out the redeemed to declare his glory among the nations and to bring them back like a sacrificial offering to the Lord. Paul’s expressed desire to reach Spain (Rom 15:24, 28) may be influenced by the oracle’s reference to the “islands afar off” (Is 66:19), which refers to southern Spain.

Rom 15:19 | ISB Notes

I have fully preached: By the time Paul wrote Romans in the late 50s, he had evangelized the northeast quadrant of the Mediterranean world, from Jerusalem in Judea to the province of Illyricum along the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

Rom 15:21 | ISB Notes

They shall see: A reference to Is 52:15.

• Paul cites the beginning of Isaiah’s vision of the Suffering Servant, an oracle that forecasts the rejection and death of the Messiah (Is 52:13-53:12). News of this was expected to startle many nations, opening their eyes and ears to God’s message.

Rom 15:24 | ISB Notes

Spain: Generally considered the western limit of the Roman world. Although not mentioned in the NT, Christian tradition holds that Paul preached the gospel to the western extremity of the ancient world before his martyrdom in the mid 60s. See note on Acts 28:30.

Rom 15:25 | ISB Notes

aid for the saints: A collection was taken up among Gentile churches on Paul’s third missionary journey (2 Cor 89). This was an expression of both charity and solidarity between believers of different nationalities. See note on 1 Cor 16:1-4.

Rom 15:31 | ISB Notes

delivered: Paul was warned of dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23; 21:10-11).

Rom 15:33 | ISB Notes

The God of peace: A familiar designation in Paul’s letters (2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23).