Note 1 at Rom. 15:8: In Romans 15:7, Paul concluded his remarks about walking in love towards brethren who had different convictions. He judged that on certain issues that were not critical to salvation (see note 3 at Rom. 14:1, p. 838), the stronger should bear with the weak (see note 1 at Rom. 15:1, p. 843).

Now, lest someone should try to cite Jesus' exclusion of the Gentiles during His earthly ministry as proof that we can reject those who don't conform to Jewish traditions, Paul explains why Jesus ministered nearly exclusively to the Jews. He was fulfilling God's promises to the Jews. Jesus could not become the Savior of the Gentiles until He had been the Messiah to the Jews.

Paul then goes on to cite a number of Old Testament scriptures that make it very clear that Jesus' present ministry embraces the Gentiles without converting them to Judaism.