QT 05/07/2026 Sun Romans 15 United in Faith, United in Love: Romans 15 Explained 因信合一，因爱合一：《罗马书》第15章解读

QT 05/07/2026 Sun Romans 15 United in Faith, United in Love: Romans 15 Explained
READ https://www.esv.org/Romans+15/

Unity isn't something Christians create—it's something Christ already accomplished. The question is: are we living like it? Let's explore Romans 15.

Romans 15 brings Paul's teaching on Jewish-Gentile unity to a practical conclusion. The gospel not only changes our relationship with God but also transforms our relationship with one another. In Christ, believers from different backgrounds become one family, sharing one faith, one hope, and one purpose.

(1) United in Christ: Theological Reality

Throughout Romans, Paul has carefully laid the theological foundation for unity between Jews and Gentiles. Both groups stand on equal footing before God. All have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Both Jews and Gentiles were united in rebellion against God and equally unable to save themselves.

Yet through faith in Jesus Christ, both are welcomed into God's family. This inheritance does not come through ethnic identity, cultural traditions, or selective obedience to religious regulations. Rather, it comes through faith in Christ alone.

Paul reminds believers that Christ became a servant to both Jews and Gentiles so that together they might glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:8–9). The promises of God find their fulfillment in Christ, creating one people from many nations.

The church today continues to reflect this reality. Regardless of nationality, language, culture, or background, all believers share the same Saviour, the same Spirit, and the same eternal hope.

(2) Practice the Unity We Already Possess

Because unity in Christ is already a spiritual reality, believers are called to live in a way that demonstrates it.

Paul exhorts believers to welcome one another "as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" (Romans 15:7). Christian unity is not something we create; it is something we preserve and display.

This requires humility, patience, and self-sacrifice. Earlier in the chapter, Paul urges believers not to please themselves but to seek the good of their neighbours, building them up in faith (Romans 15:1–3).

The world often divides people according to race, culture, social status, or personal preference. The church, however, is called to display a different reality—a community united by the gospel and centred on Christ.

(3) Unity Expressed Through Generous Care

Paul provides a powerful example of practical unity through the collection for the believers in Jerusalem.

At the time, many Jewish Christians in and around Jerusalem and Judea were experiencing famine and hardship. Paul was travelling to deliver financial aid collected from Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25–26).

This was more than an act of charity; it was an expression of gospel unity. Paul explains that the Gentile believers "owe it to them" because they had "come to share in their spiritual blessings" (Romans 15:27). Through Israel came the Scriptures, the promises, and ultimately the Messiah. Therefore, the Gentile churches gladly shared their material resources with their Jewish brothers and sisters in need.

The believers of Macedonia and Achaia demonstrated that genuine unity is not merely theological agreement—it results in tangible acts of love and generosity. When believers care for one another across cultural, social, and geographical boundaries, they reveal the power of the gospel to a watching world.

Reflection

• Do I view fellow believers from different backgrounds as members of the same family in Christ?
• Are my actions reflecting the unity that Christ has already established?
• How can I practically support and encourage other believers who are in need?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for making us one in Christ. We praise You that the gospel breaks down every barrier and unites people from every background into one family. Help us to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. Give us hearts that seek the good of others and hands that are ready to serve those in need. May our unity and love point the world to the riches of Your grace and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

QT 05/07/2026 星期日。罗马书15 因信合一，因爱合一：《罗马书》第15章解读
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/rom/15/

合一并非基督徒所能创造的——这是基督早已成就的事。问题在于：我们是否活出了这种合一？让我们一起来探讨《罗马书》第15章。

《罗马书》第15章将保罗关于犹太人与外邦人合一的教导推向了实际的结论。福音不仅改变了我们与上帝的关系，也改变了我们彼此之间的关系。在基督里，来自不同背景的信徒成为一家人，共享一个信仰、一个盼望和一个目标。

(1) 在基督里合一：神学上的现实

在《罗马书》的整卷书中，保罗为犹太人与外邦人之间的合一精心奠定了神学基础。这两群人在神面前地位平等。人人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。犹太人和外邦人曾同心悖逆神，同样无法自救。

然而，借着对耶稣基督的信心，两者都被接纳进入神的家。这份产业并非来自种族身份、文化传统，或对宗教规条的片面遵守，而是唯独借着对基督的信心而得。

保罗提醒信徒，基督成为犹太人和外邦人的仆人，为要使他们一同因神的怜悯而荣耀神（罗马书15:8–9）。神的应许在基督里得以成就，从多国中建立起一个子民。

今天的教会依然反映着这一现实。无论国籍、语言、文化或背景如何，所有信徒都拥有同一位救主、同一位圣灵，以及同一个永恒的盼望。

(2) 实践我们已拥有的合一

既然在基督里的合一已是属灵的现实，信徒就被呼召以生活来彰显这一点。

保罗劝勉信徒要彼此接纳，“就像基督接纳了你们一样，使荣耀归于　神。”（罗马书 15:7）。基督徒的合一并非我们所创造的，而是我们需要维护并彰显的。

这需要谦卑、忍耐和自我牺牲。在本章稍早处，保罗敦促信徒不要只顾自己，而是要寻求邻舍的益处，在信心中建立他们（罗马书 15:1–3）。

世人常按种族、文化、社会地位或个人喜好划分人群。然而，教会被呼召要彰显一种不同的现实——一个因福音联合、以基督为中心的群体。

(3) 通过慷慨关怀体现的合一

保罗通过为耶路撒冷信徒筹集捐款，提供了实践合一的有力范例。

当时，耶路撒冷及犹太地区内外的许多犹太基督徒正经历饥荒与困苦。保罗正前往那里，送去从马其顿和亚该亚的外邦教会中筹集的经济援助（罗马书 15:25–26）。

这不仅仅是一项慈善行为，更是福音合一的体现。保罗解释说，外邦信徒“应该”这样做，因为他们“因为外族人既然分享了犹太人属灵的好处”（罗马书 15:27）。圣经、应许，以及最终的弥赛亚，都是通过以色列传来的。因此，外邦教会乐意将物质资源分给那些有需要的犹太弟兄姐妹。

马其顿和亚该亚的信徒们表明，真正的合一不仅仅是神学上的共识——它会结出爱与慷慨的实际果实。当信徒们跨越文化、社会和地理的界限彼此关怀时，他们便向注视着这个世界的世人彰显了福音的大能。

反思

• 我是否将来自不同背景的弟兄姊妹视为在基督里同属一个家？
• 我的行为是否反映出基督已经建立的合一？
• 我该如何实际地支持和鼓励那些有需要的弟兄姊妹？

祷告

天父，感谢祢使我们在基督里合而为一。我们赞美祢，因福音拆毁了所有隔阂，将来自不同背景的人联合成一个家庭。求祢帮助我们彼此接纳，正如基督接纳了我们一样。赐给我们寻求他人福祉的心，以及随时准备服侍有需要之人的双手。愿我们的合一与爱心，将世人的目光引向祢恩典的丰盛，并使祢的名得着荣耀。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。