Romans15
New International Version
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them 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 to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed
9and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
10Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
12And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
15Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me
16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
18I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—
19by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
21Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
22This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,
24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there.
26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.
27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
28So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30I urge you, brothers and sisters, 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 kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there,
32so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.
33The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 15.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Directions how to behave towards the weak. (1–7). All to receive one another as brethren. (8–13). The writing and preaching of the apostle. (14–21). His purposed journeys. (22–29). He requests their prayers. (30–33).
vv1-7
Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.
vv8-13
Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. “All joy and peace;” all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.
vv14-21
The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be pleasing to the holy God. The conversion of souls pertains unto God; therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not make one soul obedient, further than the Spirit of God accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those that sat in darkness. Whatever good we do, it is Christ who does it by us.
Key Words
δυνατός (dynatós): powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
ὀφείλω (opheílō): to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
βαστάζω (bastázō): to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
ἀσθένημα (asthénēma): a scruple of conscience
ἀδύνατος (adýnatos): unable, i.e. weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀρέσκω (aréskō): to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)
ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû): him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
ἕκαστος (hékastos): each or every
Cross References
Romans 15Directly quoted to demonstrate that Christ did not please Himself, bearing the reproaches of God's enemies.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted verbatim to prove that the 'root of Jesse' would rise to reign over the trusting Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted by Paul to show that Christ confesses God and praises Him among the Gentile nations.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted by Paul to invite the Gentiles to rejoice alongside God's covenant people, Israel.
Supported by JFB
Quoted to summon all Gentiles and nations to join in praise of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Quoted to justify Paul's pioneer missionary strategy of preaching where Christ was not previously named.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Directly links back to the previous chapter's discussion on receiving and bearing with the weak.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's own practical pattern of not seeking his own profit, but pleasing others for their edification.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Paul's priestly metaphor of presenting the converted Gentiles as a holy offering acceptable to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the principle that receiving spiritual things obligates ministering back in carnal, material things.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates Paul's strict policy of not boasting in another man's line of work or foundation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corresponds to Paul's earlier mention of being repeatedly hindered from visiting the Roman believers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical account of Paul bringing the mentioned alms and offerings to his nation at Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Further details the generous collection made by the churches of Macedonia for the poor saints.
Supported by Matthew Henry