Romans 15:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 15:4

The Scriptures. In many ways the New Testament lends its support and sanction to the Old. Our Lord himself bade his auditors and disciples " search the Scriptures." The evangelists support the Divine authority of Christ's ministry, by exhibiting many of its incidents as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. And the Epistles abound with quotations from the ancient Hebrew writings which they approve as of inspired authority. In this passage, Paul records in explicit language his own... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things ... - This is a “general” observation which struck the mind of the apostle, from the particular case which he had just specified. He had just made use of a striking passage in the Psalms to his purpose. The thought seems suddenly to have occurred to him that “all” the Old Testament was admirably adapted to express Christian duties and doctrine, and he therefore turned aside from his direct argument to express this sentiment. It should be read as a parenthesis.Were written... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 15:4

Romans 15:4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime In the Old Testament; were written for our learning As if he had said, Though this may seem to concern David or Christ only, yet it, and all other parts of Scripture, whether containing promises or threatenings, whether speaking of rewards or punishments, were intended to be useful to God’s people in after ages; and by this passage in particular, we may learn to bear with the infirmities of others, a matter of great importance in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 15:1-13

The use of Christian liberty (14:1-15:13)Although Christians are free from religious rules and regulations such as those found in Moses’ law, some have difficulty living with such freedom. Because their faith is not strong, they have their own laws which they feel bound to keep. Other Christians should accept such people warmly into their fellowship and not argue with them about personal opinions (14:1).Some of the Jewish Christians in the church in Rome had grown little in their faith and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 15:4

learning = teaching, as Romans 12:7 . that = in order that. Greek. hina . patience = patient endurance. See Romans 2:7 . comfort = the comfort. See Acts 4:36 . Scriptures = the Scriptures. See Romans 1:2 . might = may. hope = the hope. Compare Romans 12:12 . This verse Romans 15:4 is an example of Parechesis ( App-6 ), the two words of patience and hope in Hebrew (not in Greek.) having a similar sound. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.This verse has left a mighty impact upon the minds of all who ever contemplated it. Adam Clarke, the great scholar of the 19th century, made this the motto of his life's work of a commentary on the entire Bible. The immediate application of the first clause in this verse is to the things writhed in Psalms 69, just cited; but it has a wider... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 15:4

4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning—"instruction" through, c.—"through the comfort and the patience of the Scriptures" might have hope—that is, "Think not that because such portions of Scripture relate immediately to Christ, they are inapplicable to you for though Christ's sufferings, as a Saviour, were exclusively His own, the motives that prompted them, the spirit in which they were endured, and the general principle involved in His whole... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 15:1-6

3. The importance of pleasing one another 15:1-6Paul now developed the key concept to which he referred in chapter 14, namely, putting the welfare of others before that of self (cf. Galatians 6:2). This is love. He cited the example of Christ who lived free of taboos and unnecessary inhibitions but was always careful to bear with the weaknesses of others. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 15:1-13

D. Conduct within Christian liberty 14:1-15:13In Romans 14:1 to Romans 15:13, Paul gave special attention to the problem of knowing how to live in Christian freedom. This section of Romans deals with Christian conduct when God does not specify exactly what we should do in every situation (cf. 1 Corinthians 8). In such cases some Christians will do one thing and others another, both within God’s will. How to handle these situations is the focus of this section.Paul moved on to discuss a problem... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 15:4

Paul used his reference to David’s experience as an occasion to comment on the usefulness of all Old Testament Scripture. [Note: See George W. Knight, III, "The Scriptures Were Written for Our Instruction," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 39:1 (March 1996):3-13.] It provides motivation for enduring and gives encouragement as we seek to remain faithful in our commitment to do God’s will. These Scriptures give us hope because in them we see God’s approval of those who persevered... read more

Group of Brands