Romans 15:7

Commentary on Romans 15:7 (KJV)

Romans 15:7 serves as a powerful call to Christian unity and mutual acceptance, stemming from Paul's overarching message to the believers in Rome. This verse encapsulates the spirit of unconditional love and hospitality that should characterize the church, mirroring the very nature of Christ's reception of humanity.

Context

Paul's letter to the Romans frequently addresses the theme of unity within the early Christian church, particularly concerning the tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, as well as those with differing convictions regarding practices like dietary laws and the observance of special days. Chapters 14 and 15 focus heavily on these issues, urging the "strong" in faith to bear with the "weak" and to avoid actions that would cause a brother or sister to stumble. This verse, "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God," acts as a summarizing command, emphasizing the standard of Christ's love as the foundation for how believers should interact. It builds directly upon the principles laid out in Romans 14:1, which states, "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

Key Themes

• Mutual Acceptance and Unity: The core message is a command for believers to actively welcome and accept one another. This goes beyond mere tolerance; it's about genuine fellowship and belonging within the body of Christ, bridging differences in background, opinion, and spiritual maturity.
• Christ as the Model: The phrase "as Christ also received us" provides the ultimate standard for our conduct. Christ's reception of humanity, particularly the lost and sinful, serves as the ultimate paradigm for our interactions. He embraced us in our weakness and rebellion, offering grace and salvation, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:4-5.
• Glorifying God: The ultimate purpose of this mutual acceptance is "to the glory of God." When believers live in harmony and genuine fellowship, it reflects God's character and brings honor to His name. Our unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel and aligning with Christ's prayer for unity in John 17:21.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "receive," which comes from the Greek word proslambanō (προσλαμβάνω). This term signifies more than just tolerating someone's presence. It implies a warm, active welcome; to take someone to oneself; to embrace; to admit into fellowship. It suggests an intentional act of hospitality and acceptance, much like one would 'take to oneself' a guest or a friend into their home or company. This depth of meaning emphasizes the active and gracious nature of the welcome we are to extend to fellow believers.

Practical Application

Romans 15:7 powerfully calls us to transcend our differences – whether they are theological nuances on non-essentials, cultural backgrounds, or personal preferences – and embrace one another with the same grace and love that Christ extended to us.

• Overcoming Divisions: In today's diverse church landscape, this verse encourages believers to look past minor disagreements and focus on the central truth of the Gospel that unites them.
• Practicing Hospitality: It's a call to genuine Christian hospitality, not just in a physical sense but also in a spiritual sense of opening our hearts and fellowship to others, including newcomers or those who are different from us.
• Reflecting Christ's Love: By actively welcoming and supporting fellow believers, we not only strengthen the body of Christ but also fulfill our purpose to glorify God in all things, as taught in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Our acceptance of others becomes a tangible demonstration of God's unconditional love for all humanity.

In essence, this verse reminds us that the love and unity we exhibit among ourselves are a direct reflection of God's glory and the transformative power of Christ's reception of us.