15:1-3 What are the "infirmities of the weak" referred to here?

The infirmities of the weak are the non-essential scruples and doubtful practices of weak Christians outlined in Ch 14 (cp Ro 14:1-5). Strong and enlightened Christians must bear with the failings of weaker and less enlightened Christians until they too become strong in faith and knowledge. In V2 Chapter 15, Paul enjoins the strong to sacrificially order their lives to help the weak and build up their faith (cp Ac 20:35; 1Cor 8:9-13; 9:19-22; 10:23-24, 32-33; 2Cor 13:9; 1Th 5:14). Christ is the model of conduct in relationships between weak and strong Christians and the example for all Christians to follow (cp Php 2:5-8 with Psa 69:9). Christ did not live to please Himself but for the interests of others, and Christians must do likewise (cp Php 2:3-4; 1Pe 2:19-23). Reproaches refer to slander, false accusations and insults. Men hate God and they manifested that same hate toward Jesus. (See also comments on Ro 14:1-9; 1Cor 8:1-3, 10:23-33; Ga 5:13 and Php 2:5-8 and author's study How Christians are to Love One Another in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith).

15:4 What are the things that were written before for our learning?

Paul is referring to the Old Testament scriptures here. Even though we live under the new covenant, Old Testament scriptures still stand for our example (cp 1Cor 10:1-11; 2Ti 3:16-17). We learn from 1Cor 10:1-11 that the Old Testament encourages New Testament believers to endure tribulations and persevere in faith in view of Christ's second coming. That is the hope Paul referred to in Ro 15:4. Without the clear and certain promises of scripture - in both Testaments - believers have no basis for hope (cp Psa 119:81; Jer 14:8-9; Ro 8:24-25; 15:8-13 Eph 2:12-13; Tit 2:11-15). See also comments on 1Cor 10:1-5

15:5 Does this mean that Christians must be in complete agreement on all points of doctrine?

No, Paul is not teaching here that Christians must be in complete agreement on all points of doctrine. In this context, to be likeminded toward one another means that both strong and weak Christians, despite their differing views on the non-essential issues of Ro 14, are to pursue loving, spiritual harmony in regard to matters on which scripture is silent. Then every Christian can glorify God with one voice (cp Ro 14:19-15:7). Christians are to receive one another into the church as Christ received them - both Jews and Gentiles - to God's glory (cp Ro 15:8-12). These Old Testament prophecies all prove that both Jews and Gentiles were to become one in the worship of God through Christ, being equal in His mercies and grace, the same as both strong and weak Christians. Psa 18:49 is quoted in V9; Deut 32:43 in V10; Psa 117:1 in V11 and Isa 11:10 in V12 (cp Psa 18:49; Deut 32:43; Psa 117:1; Isa 11:10 with 1Cor 12:13; Ga 3:28; Col 3:11). See also comments on 1Cor 1:10.

15:15 (A) Where was Paul when he wrote this epistle?

Paul wrote this epistle from Corinth, before he went to Jerusalem with the relief money for the Jerusalem church, at the close of his third apostolic mission journey recorded in Ac 18:23 - 21:17 (cp Ac 18:23; 21:17; Ro 15:25-28). Paul was staying in the house of Gaius, one of his first converts in Corinth (cp Ro 16:23 with 1Cor 1:14). See also comments on Ac 18:23 and Ro 1:7 (B),

15:30-32 What happened to Paul in Jerusalem?

Paul was nearly beaten to death by an angry mob in Jerusalem after he took the relief money from Macedonia and Achaia to the Jerusalem church (cp Ro 15:25-28 withAc 19:21-22; 20:16, 22-25; 21:10-15, 27-30). The Roman soldiers rescued Paul from the mob but then held him prisoner for two years in Jerusalem before taking him to Rome to stand trial before Caesar (cp Ac 21:32-36; 22:14 - 28:16). See also comments on Ac 28:30-31 (A) and (C).

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