Bible Study on Romans Session 28

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans;

A Bible Study Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)

Study Guide – April 21, 2020 – Romans 16.25-27, 15.1-7 – Homily 27

Prayer before reading of the Holy Scriptures: Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, having conquered sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things which are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory, together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good and life giving Spirit, always now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Chapter 16, Verses 25-27

  • St Paul is holding on to the weaker in faith. SJC “When he was finding fault, he rebuked both the weaker and the stronger. But now that he is praying, he makes his petition on behalf of the weaker ones.” (Pg 1, #2)
  • The message is not from St Paul, but from God. SJC “And if Jesus preached it, the doctrines are not ours, but the laws come from him.” (Pg 1, #3)
  • St Paul again invokes the OT Prophets to give validity to his argument. Again this is not new teaching. SJC “For it had been determined long ago but was manifested only now. How was it made manifest? Through the writings of the prophets. Here, again, Paul is driving away the fear in the hearts of those who are weak. For why are you afraid? Is it for fear that you may withdraw from the Law? The Law wishes you to withdraw. (Pg 1, #4)
  • We must fight the temptation to question God. SJC “For faith needs obedience, not meddling. And when God commands, we must obey, not pry out of curiosity. (Pg 2, #5)
  • The entire world believes because it was revealed by God. SJC “For now, after they have been revealed, it is still impossible to grasp them by their powers of reasoning; we must learn of them through faith, since we cannot come to know them in any other way.” (Pg 2, #)
  • We must glorify God’ wisdom. SJC “And so we must marvel at God’s wisdom and give glory to him. But you continue to hold on to the insignificant things because you still sit in the shadows. And this is not characteristic of a man who is eager to give glory to God. For if a man has no confidence in God, if he does not put his trust in what he believes, he does not bear witness to the great things which God has accomplished.” (Pg 2, #8)

Chapter 15, Verses 1-7

  • The stronger in faith have an obligation to the weaker in faith. SJC “Are you strong? Make a return payment to God who has made you strong. So you are only paying back if you correct the infirmity of one who is weak. Surely, we, too, were weak but we became strong through grace.” (Pg 3, #12)
  • The strong must be willing to be tested by the weak. SJC “So that, if you are wealthy or in a position of power, do not please yourself but please the man who is poor and in need. For in this way, you will enjoy true glory and be accomplishing a great benefit. (Pg 3, #13)
  • We must follow spiritual things because worldly things fade away. SJC “But the glory which comes from spiritual things remains firm if you do them “To build up the spirit.” Therefore, Paul demands this of all–not just this one or that one, but, “Each one of you.” (Pg 3, #14)
  • Christ did not please Himself. SJC “Paul means that it was possible for Christ not to be reviled, it was possible for him not to undergo the sufferings he endured if he had wished to look out for himself. However, Christ did not wish to look out for himself. Because he was looking out for our good, he neglected his own. (Pg 4, #16)
  • St Paul is preparing us for temptation. SJC “For all kinds of struggles arise from within ourselves and from the outside world in order that we may prove our patience when we have been strengthened and consoled by the Scriptures. Hence, by living in patience, we may abide in hope. For patience produces hope, and hope produces patience. And both virtues are provided by the Scriptures. (Pg 4, #18)
  • St Paul turns to prayer as consolation. SJC “Since Paul had spoken his own ideas and had added the example of Christ, he now brings in the testimony of the Scriptures as well to show that, along with the Scriptures, God himself also gives patience. This is why he said: “May the God of patience and consolation grant you to be of one mind toward one another according to Christ Jesus.” For this is the mark of love, namely, that a man be of the same mind toward another man as he is toward himself.” (Pg 4, #19)
  • St Paul urges us to unity in body and soul. SJC “For being in close union with one another is a thing which greatly glorifies God.” (Pg 5, #21)

Life Application – Allow love to draw us closer

  • Strive for unity with others – Therefore, let us pay heed and join ourselves to one another. Here Paul is no longer arousing just those who are weak in faith, hut he is stirring all of us to action. If someone wishes to tear himself away from you, do not tear yourself away from him. (Pg 5, #23)
  • Love those who hate you – If Christ bids us to invite to dinner those who cannot repay us so that our reward may be greater, all the more must we do this in the matter of loving our brothers. For the man who loves you because you have loved him has already repaid you. But if the man whom you have loved fails to return your love, he has put God in your debt instead of himself. Besides, when he does love you, he does not need much attention; when he does not love you, he needs your help and support. (Pg 5, #25)
  • Christ increased His love for those who hated Him – Your Master loved those who hated him and called them to him. The weaker they were the greater was his concern for them. Indeed, he raised his voice and said: “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but they who are sick.” And he deemed that publicans and sinners deserved to sit at his table. As great as the dishonor the Jewish people heaped on him, so great was the honor and concern he showed for them. Indeed, it was much greater.  (Pg 5-6, #27)
  • As always, imitate Christ’s love – You must imitate Christ. This good work is no small matter. Indeed, without it, not even a martyr can greatly please God, as Paul says. Do not say: “I am hated and so I do not love.” This is especially why you should love. Besides, it is not possible that a man who loves should quickly become an object of hatred. (Pg 6, #28)
  • Don’t give up on others – Do you not realize that God’s kind of love is our strongest weapon against the devil? Do you not see that wicked demon is standing by to drag to himself the man you hate, and how he desires to take advantage of a member of Christ’s body? Are you rushing off and giving up to the enemy the prize of the battle? For your brother lies between you as that prize. If you are sluggish and indifferent, you depart the field without a crown of victory. (Pg 6, #31)
  • Don’t reject those who hate you  –I have heard many men boasting proudly because they would not let those who were hostile to them come near them, even though your Master takes pride in doing just the opposite. How many times did men insult him? How many times did they turn their backs on him? But he never stops running after them. Therefore, do not say: “I cannot let myself go near those who hate me.” Rather, you must say: “I cannot despise those who despise me.” This is what a disciple of Christ would say. (Pg 7, #33)

Send Off – Constant love will draw us toward unity in Christ Say just the opposite: “Even if he scorns and despises me ten thousand times, I will not stand aloof from him.” In this way, you will win your brother over and you will be living a life to the glory of God. You will share in the blessings of the future life. I hope that all of us may gain these blessings by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ with whom be glory, power, honor, and adoration to the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.  (Pg 7, #38)