7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME."
10 Again he says, "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE."
11 And again, "PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM."
12 Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."
V. 7 - “Therefore, accept one another” - None have an advantage on another with respect to salvation - neither of us has earned it. Christ has gifted us eternal life. Christ has brought us into the presence of God, blameless and without blemish. (See: Eph 5:27; Phil 2:15; Col 1:22; Jude 1:24). As noted in verses 1-6 above, don’t let peripheral issues like food, or holy days, or festivals, etc., break down any fellowship of the believers.
V. 8 - “Christ has become a servant to the circumcision” - Jesus was sent first to the Jews. His service? To bring them back to God. They thought they were God’s own people. They did not recognize their sin and rebellion created a gap (actually, the gap was always there: a chasm of sin that no man can bridge or cross. They were so blinded by their pride they could not see the gap!). Jesus offered the clear and safe path to the throne room of God Almighty.
“on behalf of the truth of God” - God loves you and wants to save you. “Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefer that the wicked change his behavior and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil deeds! Why should you die, O house of Israel?'” (Eze 33:11). That is the truth of God - He wants us to respond to His offer to save us! God does not coerce; He only woos. “For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,' says the LORD.” (Jer 29:11-14)
“to confirm the promises given to the fathers” - Promises to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and David (to name a few).
V. 9 - “and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy” - Jesus came as a servant for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Prophecies concerning the Gentiles: Isa. 60:1-14; Hos. 1:10, 2:23; Amos 9:12; Matt. 12:21, 22:2-14.
“As it is written” - Quoted from 2 Sam 22:50, Psa 18:49. - God is merciful - forgiving our sin and bringing us into His presence with great joy.
V. 10 - Quoted from Deut 32:43 - Who are those rejoicing? The Gentiles (that’s you and me) who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.
V. 11 - Quoted from Psa 117:1 - Let everyone and everything sing praises to God for His mercy to us.
V. 12 - Quoted from Isa 11:10 - We were hopeless in our sin. He has saved us. We have hope.
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