Romans 15WEB
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Romans15

World English Bible · Public Domain

1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

3For even Christ didn’t 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 through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

6that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.

8Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”

10Again he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”

12Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

14I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.

15But I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,

16that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

18For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

20yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.

21But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”

22Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,

23but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

24whenever I travel to Spain, I will 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 say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.

26For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.

27Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things.

28When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

30Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

31that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

32that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.

33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 15.

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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.

Cross References

Romans 15
v3Psalms 69:9quotation

Directly quoted to demonstrate that Christ did not please Himself, bearing the reproaches of God's enemies.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v12Isaiah 11:10quotation

Quoted verbatim to prove that the 'root of Jesse' would rise to reign over the trusting Gentiles.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v9Psalms 18:49quotation

Quoted by Paul to show that Christ confesses God and praises Him among the Gentile nations.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Deuteronomy 32:43quotation

Quoted by Paul to invite the Gentiles to rejoice alongside God's covenant people, Israel.

Supported by JFB

v11Psalms 117:1quotation

Quoted to summon all Gentiles and nations to join in praise of the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v21Isaiah 52:15quotation

Quoted to justify Paul's pioneer missionary strategy of preaching where Christ was not previously named.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Romans 14:1thematic

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

v16Isaiah 66:20allusion

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

v22Romans 1:13thematic

Corresponds to Paul's earlier mention of being repeatedly hindered from visiting the Roman believers.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v25Acts 24:17thematic

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