Romans 15:7-13 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Gentiles Heirs of Israel's Hope. The differences discussed ran up into the great cleavage between Jew and Gentile, on which Paul has a final word to say.

Romans 15:7. Wherefore in order to glorify God togetherreceive one another, as the Christ has received you (cf. Romans 14:1; Romans 14:3; also Luke 15:2; John 6:37) unto the glory of God a glory to be realised in the united worship of mankind (Romans 15:8-12).

Romans 15:8 f. With this aim Christ has become, in the first place, minister of circumcision not minister to the Circumcision (omit the), but Servant of the covenant bearing this seal (Romans 4:11; cf. Galatians 4:4 f.): the parallel is Matthew 5:17, rather than Romans 15:24. The truth of God, which Christ thus asserted, lay in the promises made to the fathers concerning mankind (Romans 4:11-18; Acts 3:24 f.), expressing the grand purpose that the nations should glorify God for mercy shown to them. That the Israelite fathers cherished this large anticipation, is proved by the chain of citations drawn from Scripture in Romans 15:9 b - Romans 15:12. The catena of Romans 3:10-18 attested the universality of sin; this, the universality of redemption.

Romans 15:13. The closing citation gives the key-note to the Benediction; Now the God of the (i.e. Israel's) hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (cf. Romans 14:17, Romans 15:1 f., etc.), by the Holy Spirit's power. Such faith will make you overflow with hope for yourselves (Romans 5:2-5), for the race (Romans 11:30-32), for the universe (Romans 8:18-25).

Romans 15:7-13

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

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:

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.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

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 Ghost.