Chapter 12-15 Part 3               May 16, 2021

The main problem mentioned in Chapter 14 was there were some within the church who felt it was sin to eat meat that was offered to idols while others knew the teaching all meat was good to eat (Acts 10).

Chapter 15:1-2 continues the context of Chapter 14, the responsibility of those who are stronger in the faith help built up the weak in the faith.

V3 For Christ did not come to please Himself. He came to please His Father by bearing the reproaches against the Father

·        Ps 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

·        Ps 89:50-51

·        See V8&9

V4 For scripture (both Old Testament and New)were written for our learning, and learning the scriptures to built up our hope. So how do we edify the weak in the faith through scripture. 

V5-6 The purpose for edifying the weak in the faith.

·        So they (the weak in the faith) will be like minded with us and give glory to God by what they think and speak as the strong in the faith should do.

·        1Corinthians 1:10 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

V7-12 Paul addresses the natural animosity between the Jews and the Gentiles.   

·        We are to receive an other Christian as a brother or sister in Christ just as Christ received us without reservation.

Ø     With Christ it is whosoever John 11:26 John 12:46

·        V8 & V9 1Corinthians 12:25; 12:25Psalm 18:49; John 10:16; He offered the Kingdom that was promised to the Jews, and to take away their sins Jeremiah 31:33-34

v    Extend His merciful salvation unto the Gentiles

·        V10 & 11 Paul makes it clear, there can be no division, schism 1Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

·        Could it be the debate about eating meat offered to idols in Chapter was a disagreement between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians.

As Paul stated in V14:20 "but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence." What we, who are stronger in the faith, do in the presence of the weak in the faith must not offend them. The work of God is tied to beaing the infirmities of the weak to help build them up in the kmowledge of God's word.