Christian’s Expositor Journal
Winter 2006
After finishing the major doctrinal portion of his letter to the Romans in chapters 1-8, Paul makes further application of those doctrines in chapters 9-15. At Romans 15:14, however, Paul begins what properly may be called the epilogue of his letter --- the personal matters of importance.
Some expositors refer to Paul’s epilogue as a "delicate piece of diplomacy” (Don DeWelt 235). The tone with which Paul writes much of his letter, especially chapter 14, might lead readers to believe he has a low estimate of their intelligence or love, or both. In order to dispel that thinking, to encourage the Romans to apply the principles he has discussed earlier, and to prepare them for a visit he hopes to pay them in the near future, Paul begins his epilogue by complimenting them. Paul’s mood returns to what it was in the beginning of his letter. In Romans 1:8, Paul says, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” His words in Romans 15:14 echo that tone. He addresses them warmly as “my brethren,” although Paul has never met most of them. The sense that they all belong to he same family, with Christ as the “elder brother,” (Romans 8:29) transcends the old ties of blood and kinship, and Paul is confident the Romans share a similar depth of feeling and mutual regard. He says he has written to them at length in this letter, not because be believes they are unable to admonish one another and therefore need instruction from him, but only to remind them of what they already know.
We can infer with certainty that no other apostle (like Peter) was in charge of the Roman church from the fact that the Romans had been admonishing one another. We also infer from Paul’s words that one of the ultimate marks of a strong church is the ability of its members to admonish one another.
Paul is not merely flattering the Romans; his words are indeed a high compliment. The condition of the church at Rome is a stark contrast to the condition of the church at Corinth as reflected in 1 Corinthians.
Strong Christians will have a firm grasp of the teachings of Christianity. A person simply cannot build a strong faith upon a weak understanding of the doctrines of Christ, regardless of how emotionally fervent they might be. Paul discusses some profound themes of Christianity including righteousness and justification, considering them to be of supreme importance. In our day, when easy platitudes and catch phrases serve as substitutes for honest study and thought, it is sobering to remember that Paul does not expect to build strong churches out of people who are too lazy to grapple with the profound doctrines of Christianity.
The fact that Paul thinks goodness and knowledge together is also a rebuke to those Christians who deliberately de-emphasize doctrine and focus entirely upon loving interpersonal relationships as the essence of Christianity. Virtue and truth are inseparable. “The issue is not either --- or, but both --- and” (Cottrell pg. 439).
Members of strong churches will have sufficient knowledge of the faith to communicate it to others, and they will have the disposition to undertake the task. No one devoid of the necessary knowledge can teach, and no one destitute of the goodness Paul describes will even try because he will lack the impulse to help others. Even if such persons try to admonish others, their efforts will fail. Efforts to educate others are impossible without the spirit of goodness Paul describes.
- 1. Instruction. Concerning instruction Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). It follows, therefore, that the instruction which admonishes requires must come from the inspired Scriptures. When we instruct others we must be on biblical ground, interpreting the Word of God correctly --- rightly dividing the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). Giving and receiving instruction is a never-ending process in the lives of Christians.
Solomon adds, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not ... He that refuses instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom” (Proverbs 8:33; 15:32-33).
2. Exhortation. In reference to exhortation Paul says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
To “exhort” is to advise, urge, or encourage. Add this component to good instruction and the result is the persistent urging of a brother or sister to get things right. Most Christians are in need of constant encouragement. The word Paul uses here is paraclesis, which literally means “to go alongside.” It is not enough in many instances merely to tell someone what to do, we must lead them and go along with them in order to encourage. It is for this very reason that the assembly is so crucial because when we enter into the assembly together we admonish one another through the various items of worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians. 3:16).
3. Warning. A third and necessary component of admonition is warning. When we see others erring we must be willing to say something to warn them. Paul says, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). God, speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, says,
“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:8-9).
On Monday, February 6, 1995, according to the Chicago Tribune, a Detroit bus driver finished his shift on the Route 21 bus and headed to the terminal. Some-how, he took a wrong turn. He did not arrive at the terminal at the scheduled time of 7:19 PM, and a short time later his supervisors started looking for him. Meanwhile, the driver’s wife called the terminal and reported that her husband might be disoriented from medication he was taking.
For six hours, the forty-foot city bus and its driver could not he found. Finally, the state police found the bus and driver two hundred miles northwest of Detroit. The bus was motoring slowly down a rural two-lane road, weaving slightly from side to side. When the police pulled the bus over, the driver said he was lost. A police news release later stated, ‘‘The driver had no idea where be was and agreed he had made a wrong turn somewhere. Apparently this had not occurred to him during the four hours he drove without finding the bus depot” (Craig Larson 12).
The simple story above illustrates the critical importance of warning others. Unless we confront those who have taken a wrong turn in life, they may never regain their orientation.
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· DeWeIt, Don. Romans Realized. Joplin, Missouri: College Press Publishing Company, 1959.
· Lard, Moses. Commentary on Romans. Delight, Arkansas: Gospel Light Publishing Company, N.D.
· Larson, Craig Brian. Contemporary Illustrations. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Baker Books, 1996.
· The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 10 Volumes. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1964.
· Vine, W. F. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1966.
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