Why was the Old Testament written, according to Paul in Romans 15?
Paul states in Romans 15:4 that the Old Testament Scriptures were written for our learning, not necessarily for our doctrine. They were recorded beforehand so that the pictures, types, and events of the Old Testament would enhance and deepen our understanding of New Testament truth.
Les explains that Paul, in Romans 15:4, says all these things written before time—that is, the Old Testament—were written for our learning, not necessarily for our doctrine. He emphasizes there is a big difference. As we learn all the pictures, types, and everything that took place in the Old Testament, it enhances what we have to understand in the New Testament. This leads him to Exodus 12, where the nation of Israel was in bondage, in slavery, under the heavy hand of the Egyptians.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.