Romans 15:8-13

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

Rom 15:8  Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises He made to their ancestors.

Promises:

1.   Covenant to Adam and Eve

a.    Genesis 3: 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel."

                                         i.    What does that mean? The seed of woman is ultimately Christ and he will defeat Satan.

2.       Abrahamic covenant Genesis 12-17:

a.       Abraham would become the father of many nations and eventually the Christ.

3.       Mosaic Covenant Deuteronomy 28-30, Leviticus 26

a.       This was a promise that the Jews were the chosen nation. The issue is they were chosen to produce the messiah. Many thought it went much farther than that.

4.       Davidic Covenant 2Samuel 7

a.       The promise that the Christ would come from the line of David.

Rom 15:9  He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for His mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: "For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name." Rom 15:10  And in another place it is written, "Rejoice with His people, you Gentiles." Rom 15:11  And yet again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles. Praise Him, all you people of the earth." Rom 15:12  And in another place Isaiah said, "The heir to David's throne will come, and He will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on Him." Rom 15:13  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul continues to push the concept that Jews and Gentiles are now on equal footing. Remember the Jews were the chosen people and why should they give up on being number one. Paul is pointing out the Christ came to save everyone.