Romans 15

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (v7).  Mixing Jewish and Gentile Christians in the Roman church – or any church – was no simple matter.  Along with all the normal issues of selfishness and personality clashes, these groups had to overcome major prejudice and a habit of excluding one another.  So Paul prayed that “the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” (v5), because only the Spirit could make such diverse groups one Body.  

Bending toward one another in love and humility is our “obligation” (v1), because our Savior did the same for us (v3).