Romans 15:3-6 Authorized King James Version
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Romans 15:4 in the King James Version of the Bible reads,
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
This verse is a eye opening reminder of the importance of our learning from the ancient writings and scriptures to find hope, comfort, and patience in our lives.
The book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the believers in Rome, both Jewish and Gentile Christians.
In this particular passage, Paul is urging the believers to come together in unity, to accept one another, and to edify build each other up in their faith.
He emphasizes the 100% unquestionable importance of the scriptures and the wisdom found in them to bring hope, comfort, and patience to the believers as they navigate their the long winding course of life and the challenges they face.
The phrase “whatsoever things were written aforetime” refers to the Old Testament scriptures, which were the primary religious texts for the early Christian believers.
These writings include the stories of the patriarchs, the laws of Moses, the History books, the Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and the words of the prophets.
Paul is here highlighting their invaluable timeless wisdom and lessons found in these ancient texts, encouraging the believers to read, study, learn, from them.
The verse continues, “were written for our learning”. This points to the 100% relevance of the Old Testament scriptures for the New Testament believers.
Even though the Old Testament was written centuries before the time of Jesus, the teachings and stories contained within it still hold in valuable lessons and insights for believers today.
The scriptures provide a foundation of understanding and knowledge that can guide believers in their personal worship, prayer time, faith and in their lives.
Paul goes on to say,
“that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
He is making for us here a direct connection between the scriptures and the qualities of patience, perseverance in our trials, comfort, faith and in hope.
The Old Testament scriptures offer believers patience by showing them examples of perseverance and endurance in the face of trials. They provide comfort through the promises of God’s presence and care for His people.
And ultimately, they offer faith and hope by pointing to the redemptive work of God at Calvary, His never ending faithfulness to His people throughout history.
This verse carries several important themes central to the Christian faith.
First, it emphasizes the unity and continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
It shows the Old and New Testament scriptures are a cohesive whole, with the Old Testament laying the foundation for the New Testament.
It also highlights the importance of learning and studying the scriptures, recognizing them as a valuable source of wisdom and guidance for believers.
Additionally, it underscores the biblically essential qualities of patience, faith, comfort, and hope that the scriptures can bring to those who engage with them.
The context of this verse within the book of Romans is significant as well.
Throughout the letter, Paul addresses threatening issues of division and disunity within the Roman church. He is exhorting the believers to come together in love and to build each other up in their faith. By pointing to the scriptures as the source of our hope, comfort, and patience, Paul is encouraging the believers to turn first to God’s word as a unifying force in their community.
Symbolically, this verse represents the timeless nature of God’s word and the enduring relevance of the scriptures for our answering the hardest hardcore of questions for non-believers, skeptics, seekers and believers of all generations.
It points to the idea that the myriad of stories and teachings of the Bible are not just for ancient history, but living and active sources of truth and guidance for those who seek them, who desire learning, who desire transformation in life.
It also symbolizes the cutting edge transformative power of the scriptures to bring about patience, comfort, hope, power of change in the lives of believers.
Hebrews 4:12 Authorized (King James) Version
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Romans 15:4 is a powerful cutting edge reminder of the importance of engaging with the scriptures as a source of faith, hope, comfort, patience for believers.
It poignantly emphasizes the unity between the Old and New Testaments, the value of learning from the ancient writings, and the transformative nature of God’s word. It serves as an invaluable, timeless encouragement, for believers to turn firstly to the scriptures as a source of wisdom and guidance in their lives.
Why does the Old Testament Authentically Matter?
Romans 15:3-6 New American Standard Bible 1995
3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God [a] who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one [b]voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While we may understand the importance of God’s word for our lives, we might also wonder, deep down, why we should study Old Testament stories. What can us modern people gain from such a study? Why not focus on the New Testament exclusively and the stories solely of what Jesus and His apostles did and said?
Here is the answer (among the many) I offer to the readership of this blog: these ancient segments of history are significant not just for the biblical characters or for Israel but also for you and me—indeed, for the entire world!
Such a sweeping claim may sound like hyperbole. But if we approach our study of the Bible with certain convictions in mind, we will begin to understand and be convinced, as the apostle Paul was clearly convinced, that the Old Testament was written for us, was written for us to study, instruct, that it offers us hope.
The first conviction is that there is unity to the Bible, from creation in Genesis to the new creation in Revelation.
In between is the record of humanity’s fall and the chaos and brokenness of the universe that flowed from it.
Through it all, we discover the story of redemption and the plan and purpose of God to put together a people of His very own.
We need to read the whole of that story, from start to finish.
The second conviction guiding our study of God’s word is this biblical unity exists not because it is a collection of religious documents but because it is the word of God, written by men who “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
We need to read all of what God has chosen to tell us.
Thirdly, there is the conviction that we need our Bibles to understand human history, our own little histories, and our contributory place within history.
Much of what is happening within us and around us does not make sense apart from an understanding of human nature and God’s sovereignty at work as it is being revealed in and through the Holy Scriptures.
Finally, we hold the conviction that the Bible, including the Old Testament, is a prophetic book about Jesus.
If we take our eyes away from Jesus, then we don’t just lose our way around the length, width, depths, heights of the universe; we also lose our way around the Bible. The Old Testament points us to Christ, prepares us for Christ, and shows us pictures of Christ. One of the first questions we ought always to be asking is;
“How does this record of things show me good news about Savior Jesus Christ?”
With these convictions in mind, we can have real confidence as we study the Old Testament that it is instructive. But not only that: it is full of hope, for it shows us our Savior. The more we read the passages of these Old Testament as books written by God, through His Spirit, about His Son, the more we grow in hope, in faith, in His wisdom and understanding, and into the likeness of our Savior.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Proverbs 3 New International Version
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.[b]
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 