5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Verses five and six constitute a short prayer by Paul for the Roman church. This prayer is the conclusion of how the strong should treat the weak believer.
5 Now
“Patience” and “comfort” come from God through Scripture (15:4).
may the God of patience [endurance] and comfort [encouragement]
God is the source “of patience and comfort.” Paul attributed consolation to Scripture in 15:4 and to God here. God works through Scripture in establishing steadfastness and consolation among Christians.
grant you
God grants like-mindedness according to His sovereignty.
to be like-minded toward one another [of the same kind],
To be “like-minded” carries the idea of living in harmony. The Greek word for “like-minded” occurs 10 times in Romans (8:5; 12:3; 12:16; 14:6; 15:5). Each usage relates to our attitude. Our attitudes reflect the level of maturity we have in Christ.
Co 3:2, Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
according to Christ Jesus,
Unity among believers, Paul pointed out, happened as the Roman church lived according to the norm of who Christ Jesus is. The goal is not unity in itself, but unity that accords to who and what Jesus is.
1 Co 2:16, For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
The God who gives patience and comfort will enable Christians to live harmoniously with each other.
APPLICATION:
God wants us to operate under the quality of being “like-minded” toward other believers. The unity here is not organizational unity or conformity to false teaching. It is not necessary that every believer or every church look alike. Our unity is an oneness of attitude, not structure. We do not have to have total agreement in opinion, but just in fundamentals. The pursuit of unity should never be at the cost of truth.
We can never reach true accord until we have the mind of Christ. The “like-minded” attitude does not relate to doctrine but to our relationship to other Christians. It will not degrade us to take a place of equality in Christ among fellow believers. Carnality elevates self above others.
Ro 12:16, Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
True unity does not come by organization or systems but by what we have common in Christ. Unity between Christian organizations is not the point here. When we put Christ first, lesser issues fall by the way.
