Romans 15
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 56 – AD 57 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
33 verses · 720 words · ~4 min read · ~5 min listen
Accept One Another
1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.” 4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
5Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of Godʼs truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written:
10Again, it says:
11And again:
12And once more, Isaiah says:
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
20In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone elseʼs foundation. 21Rather, as it is written:
22That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paulʼs Travel Plans
23But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you, 24I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey.
25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. 26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.
28So after I have completed this service and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set off to Spain by way of you. 29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32so that by Godʼs will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
33The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
Footnotes (9)
- a v3 Psalms 69:9
- b v9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalms 18:49
- c v10 Deuteronomy 32:43
- d v11 Psalms 117:1
- e v12 Isaiah 11:10(see also LXX)
- f v19 SBL the power of the Spirit; NE and WH the power of the Holy Spirit
- g v21 Isaiah 52:15(see also LXX)
- h v29 TR and BYZ include of the gospel.
- i v33 Some manuscripts do not include Amen. One early manuscript places the text of Romans 16:25–27here.
Study notes on this chapter · 3
That the Gentiles may glorify God
To close Romans' argument about Jews and Gentiles, Paul strings together four quotations from the Law, the Psalms and Isaiah, each showing the nations praising the God of Israel, ending with the root of Jesse ruling the nations.
When: Psalms and Isaiah, c. 1000–540 BC; Romans, c. AD 57.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
A shoot from the stump of Jesse
A future king from David's father's line, on whom God's Spirit rests, who judges with righteousness and to whom the nations turn. Paul quotes the last part in Romans to show Gentiles hoping in the 'root of Jesse'.
When: Spoken c. 740–700 BC; cited by Paul c. AD 57.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
A pure offering in every place
Malachi says that from the rising of the sun to its setting the LORD's name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense and a pure offering will be presented to him. Readers disagree on whether this describes the worship of Gentiles in Malachi's day, the Eucharist, or a future time.
When: Malachi, c. 450–430 BC.
Ways people read this (4)
- Early Christian writers (the Didache, Justin, Irenaeus) read the 'pure offering' as the Eucharist, a reading that remains important in Catholic and Orthodox tradition.
- A reference to the worship offered in every place by the faithful, including Gentiles, whether in Malachi's time or in the Messianic age.
- A reference to the spread of the gospel and to spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise (Protestant readings citing Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:15).
- A hyperbole contrasting God's greatness with the priests' contemptible offerings.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.