minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus : ^that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also re- ceived us to the glory of God. ^Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers : %nd that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy ; as it is written. For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. ^°And again he saith. Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. ^^And again. Praise the Lord, all ye Gen- tiles ; and laud him, all ye people. ^^And again, Esaias saith. There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles ; in him shall the Gentiles trust. ^^Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The first verse of this chapter is a conclusion from the whole of the f
preceding. On the grounds there presented Paul repeats the command that the strong should bear with the infirmities of the weak, and that, instead of selfishly regarding their own interests merely, they should endeavour to promote the welfare of their brethren, vs. 1, 2. This duty he enforces by the conduct of Christ, who has set us an example of per- fect disinterestedness, as what he suffered was not for himself, v. 3. This, and similar facts and sentiments recorded in the Scripture, are in- tended for our admonition, and should be applied for that purpose, v. 4. The apostle prays that God would bestow on them that harmony and unanimity which he had urged them to cultivate, vs. 5, 6. He repeats the exhortation that they should receive one another, even as Christ had received them, v. 7. He shows how Christ had received them, and united Jews and Gentiles in one body, vs. 8 — 13.