The God of All Peace [Romans 15]
1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."4For 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.
5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
As Paul brings this letter to a close, he finishes the thoughts about building each other up (edification). He wraps up the thoughts from the previous chapter with a reminder that "even Christ did not please Himself" but cared about us by taking our reproaches of God on Himself, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." (Webster defines reproach as "to express disappointment or disapproval in someone," so Christ took all of our disappointment in God and let it fall on Him.) He did this so that we might have hope. This is how God's righteousness looks - He is the God of peace.
God is the one "who gives perseverance and encouragement" when we ask Him to grant that we "be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus." He is the God of peace and He is with us. Praise and glory belong to Him.
Verna McCrillis, 7/28/2009