Romans15
King James Version · Public Domain
1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
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