Romans 15:4– the consolation of the Scriptures

For whatever was written before, was written for this teaching of ours, that through the endurance and the consolation of the scriptures we may have expectation.

Paul had just quoted from the Psalms and by “for whatever was written before” he points to the Hebrew Bible. Everything in it is “for our instruction.” The so-called “Old Testament” may not be addressed to us, but it is indeed for us.

The quoted words from Psalm 69 about Christ not pleasing himself but enduring reproach are explained in the verse above. For how could Christ endure the reproach, the shame, and the cross? Hebrews 12:2 says: because he looked at the joy that was set before him (Heb.12:2). He was taught from “the scriptures”! And by the hope He found therein, He found the encouragement to endure it all.

“The Scriptures” were Christ’s source of power. He did not please himself, but said to his God: “Lo! I am arriving – In the summary of the scroll it is written concerning Me” (Ps.40:8; Heb.10:7). And so, in this submission to (and with confidence in) “the Scriptures,” He has gone the way of humiliation. That is no different for us. We too have the hope in the scriptures and with it the strength to endure.

Delen: