Romans 15:5 – Brotherly Patience
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Truth to Learn
Christians need to be patiently forbearing of each other.
Behind the Words
The word “grant” (actually, “may … grant”) is translated from the verb didomi, meaning “to give.” It is expressed here in the rare optative mood. To put it simplistically, the “mood” of a Greek verb can be seen as representing the distance from reality. The indicative mood indicates action that actually takes place, the subjunctive mood indicates action that could possibly take place, the optative mood indicates action that is probably not taking place, but is wished for or hoped for, and the imperative mood (typically a command) indicates action that is most likely not taking place, but which needs to. Thus, we see from the optative mood of this verb that Paul is expressing hope that God will give to believers the quality of Christ-likeness in our attitudes toward each other.
Meaning Explained
Remember how this current topic of discussion started? It started back in Romans 14:1 where Paul said:
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
Paul’s argument has been that we need to accept brothers and sisters in the faith who are not necessarily as spiritually mature as we are. However, our purpose in admitting them should not be to argue with them about spiritual matters of small importance. Paul went on to tell us that some Christians are convicted about strictly following the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament while others feel the freedom in Christ to eat all kinds of foods.
And, rather than brow-beat each other to conform to the same spiritual convictions that we have, we should be tolerant of others and we should not flaunt our freedom in front of them. Instead, we should be forbearing and understanding. We should patiently wait until God convicts them about these minor spiritual truths.
Let me step aside for a moment and caution us that Paul is not talking about matters of central doctrine like the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, the physical reality of the resurrection, or the gift of salvation by grace through faith. These are spiritual truths on which we need to stand firm without accepting any compromise. But, regarding issues of minor spiritual importance, like whether or not we should abstain from certain foods as a matter of religious obedience, or whether we should treat Sundays differently from other days of the week, we need to be patient and forbearing of one another.
As a result, Paul now prays that the very God who is the epitome of patience and forbearance might grant to each of us that same patience when it comes to our dealing with our Christian brothers and sisters. After all, if God through Jesus Christ has been patiently bearing with our spiritual immaturity and stubbornness, then we should exhibit the same thoughts and actions towards other Christians.
Application
We are behaving more Christ-like when we are patient and forgiving of our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when they have different convictions than we do. Is that how you behave toward your Christian brothers and sisters?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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