1 And we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities (scruples of conscience,) of the weak (a good teacher will know our weaknesses, feeling of hesitancy, doubt to even do something right), and not to please ourselves. (Don't over-teach.)
F² d 2. Each one to please his neighbor.
e 3,4. Motive. The example of Christ, and the word of God.
d 5-. Each one to be like-minded.
e -5,6. The example of Christ, and for the glory of God.
2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. (If it be possible, that he may gain eternal life.)
3 For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, "The revilings of them that reviled you fell on Me." (The insulting with opprobrious language, when used against Christ and His People. Quoted from Ps. 69:9. He died for you.)
4 For whatsoever things were written before ordained were written for our teaching (see 12:7), in order that we through patient endurance and the comfort of the the Scriptures (this includes the O.T.) may have the hope. (In the eternity.)
5 Now the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded amongst yourselves
according to Christ Jesus: (Be in harmony with the doctrine of Christ.)
6 That you may with one accord with one mouth glorify God (praise Him), even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (i.e their reception of others redounds to God's glory. Cp. Eph. 1:6. You won't be perfect, but you will grow.)
8 For I say that Christ has become a minister (table-waiter, servant, teacher) of circumcision for the truth of God, for the confirming of the promises made to the fathers: (Israel. See Chapter 11)
9 For that the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written (Paul was a scholar, look at the Bible lesson he gives you from the O.T.), "For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name." (See Act 2:21. Ps. 18:49)
10 And again He says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people. (See Deut. 32:43.)
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and laud Him, all you peoples." (See Ps. 117:1)
12 And again, Isaiah said, "There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to rule the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles (nations) hope."
13 Now the God of the hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in the hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish (teach) one another. (See Acts 20:31.)
15 But, I wrote the more freely to you partly, as reminding you, because of the grace that is given to me of God, (He was a teacher to both Israel and Gentile nations, kings and queens. See Acts 19:4-6)
16 For me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, to minister as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be accepted, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 2, ALL could hear on Pentecost day.)
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in the things pertaining to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me, for obedience of the Gentiles, by word and work, (Do not make anything up to get people to God's word, otherwise, blessings will be cut off.)
19 By the power signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about as far as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (He told it like it was.)
20 Yes, so earnestly endeavoring to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, in order that I should not build upon another's foundation: (He was a crusader for the word of God.)
21 But as it is written, "To whom concerning Him was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand." (See Isa. 52:11-15.)
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. (See Act 24:4. Paul always wanted to go to Rome. God would not allow him.)
23 But now having no longer place in these parts, and having a great desire from many years to come to you;
24 Whensoever I go into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey (see Acts 16:4), and to be brought on my way to yonder place by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. (He wants to spend joyous time with them.)
25 But now I go to Jerusalem ministering to the saints. (See 1:7.)
26 For it pleased Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints which are at Jerusalem. (See Acts 10)
27 It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things. (They gave joyfully. It was their duty to share with them.)
28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit (first-fruit), I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea; and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; (But the non-believers would be against him.)
32 That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, together with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of the peace be with you all. Amen. (In v.5 we have the God of patience; in v.13, the God of the hope; here, the God of the peace.)