For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  (5) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (6) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(7) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us to the glory of God.  (8) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, (9) and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christian community of Rome.  The letter to the Romans is about God from beginning to end – and His plan for the world.  In the verses we study today, Paul is emphasizing the practical value of the word of God – or the practical value of the Bible.  He is saying that all Scripture is God breathed:  inspired and inerrant, profitable for teaching.  The Scriptures were intended not only for those generations in which they were delivered but they are relevant today.  I believe that they were written for our learning,  abounding hope, and comfort, and the greatest dereliction of the church of Jesus Christ today is ignorance of the biblical Word of God.

Paul reminds the church in Rome that hope is in Christ Jesus and this was pointed to in the Old Testament.  (at the time of his writing there was no new Testament.)  He teaches the glorious biblical truth of hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ – the doctrine of justification through faith by God’s free grace.   Hope here is the hope of the glory of God which is taught by God’s word in Scripture – hope pushes out contrary emotions.

In the mindset of the early church the phrase “one accord” is often used – a goal of unity or common interest rather than of personal feeling.  The point of this section is the purpose of unity and mutual acceptance to bring glory to God the Father.  The work of Christ is an example:  we were sinful, fallen and helpless and if Christ could accept and minister to fallen man, we can receive one another and live in harmony.  Christians are called on to live an inclusive lifestyle.

Paul continues to reference the Old Testament.  The promise was made to Abraham (this promise was made before the law because Abraham had faith in God) that through him all the nations of the earth be blessed.  Christ came to confirm that promise and fulfilled the prophesies of the Old Testament.    The ministry of Christ was not just to Israel but the Gentiles were to share the blessing.  Jesus is Messiah for all.    The Old Testament shows that the inclusion of the Gentiles was always God’s plan.  Israel was to be the instrument through which Christ’s redemptive work would extend to the Gentiles.