Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Helping the Powerless with Holy Ghost Power.

A literal translation of Romans 15:1 is ‘We then who have power (dynatos) ought to be carrying the weaknesses (asthenema), especially of the mind, of those who are weak (have no power – adynatos); and not to please ourselves.’

What kind of power do we need to help those that are weak? Holy Ghost power!

1 Cor 2:5 says that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the POWER of God.

1 Cor 4:20 says that ‘The kingdom of God is not in word but in POWER.’

Later, in Romans 15:19, Paul says Christ used him to help weak Gentiles become obedient with mighty signs and wonders by the POWER of the Spirit.

Since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), the Holy Spirit's power that worked in Paul can also work in us.

Some keys are shown in the rest of chapter 15. Verse 2 says we should be seeking to please our neighbors and not ourselves. Verse 3 shows that was Jesus’ focus. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says God was in Christ reconciling the world; even the weak powerless ones, to Himself.

Verse 4 shows that we can learn how Old Testament heroes operated in God’s power which will give us hope. Verse 5 shows how God’s power can help us to be like-minded to one another.

This results in the goal of verse 6: that all of us, with one mind and mouth, can glorify God.

-Steve Burke