Romans15
New King James Version
1We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
6that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
8Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”
10And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
11And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”
12And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,
16that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—
19in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,
21but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”
22For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.
23But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,
24whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
25But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
28Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
29But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
31that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
33Now the 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