Romans — Chapter 15

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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.

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

2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.

3For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.

4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

5Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:

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

7Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.

8For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises [given] unto the fathers,

9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto 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 let all the peoples praise him.

12And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.

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

14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God,

16that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

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

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

19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;

20yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man`s foundation;

21but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.

22Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you:

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

24whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)--

25but now, I [say], I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.

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

27Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it [to them] also to minister unto them in carnal things.

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

29And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by 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 are disobedient in Judaea, and [that] my ministration which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;

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

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

1But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.

2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up.

3For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

4For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.

5Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus,

6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory.

8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers,

9and thus the Gentiles glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.”

10And again it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.”

12And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, and the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles, in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

14But I myself am fully convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

15But I have written more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God

16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17So I boast in Christ Jesus about the things that pertain to God.

18For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order to bring about the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem even as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation,

21but as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

22This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you.

23But now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you

24when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

26For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things.

28Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set out for Spain by way of you,

29and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of Christ’s blessing.

30Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf.

31Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

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

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 one with 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 will I 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 fleshly 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.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

The strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, Christ welcomed both Jew and Gentile to God's glory, Paul outlines his missionary ambition to reach Spain, and asks for prayer as he brings the Gentile collection to Jerusalem.

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 15 continues the theme of unity between strong and weak believers (vv.1-13), then transitions to Paul's personal plans — his ministry philosophy (vv.14-22), his travel plans (vv.23-29), and his prayer requests (vv.30-33). Paul reveals his ambition to preach where Christ has not been named and his plan to visit Rome on his way to Spain.
Christ's Example (vv.1-7): The strong should bear with the weak — following Christ's example, who "pleased not himself" (v.3). The goal: unity that glorifies God with "one mind and one mouth" (v.6). "Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us" (v.7) — the standard for acceptance is how Christ accepted you.
Paul's Ministry Philosophy (vv.18-22): Paul's ambition was to preach where Christ had not been named — pioneer missionary work. He didn't build on others' foundations (v.20). From Jerusalem to Illyricum (modern Albania), he had "fully preached the gospel" (v.19). His next frontier: Spain.
The Benediction (v.13): "Now 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." One of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture.

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.19, v.25, v.26): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines Christ's example, the purpose of Scripture, Paul's missionary philosophy, and his travel plans.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The God of Hope" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 641) "The God of hope — not the God of despair, not the God of anxiety — the God of HOPE. And He fills you with joy and peace IN BELIEVING — not in achieving, not in understanding everything — in believing. Faith is the channel through which joy, peace, and hope flow." Sermon: "Written for Our Learning" on v.4 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1374) "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for OUR learning. The Old Testament is not irrelevant — it was written for you. For patience. For comfort. For hope. Every story, every psalm, every prophecy — written for your benefit."

Videos

The Bible Project — Romans Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (v.1). Strength is for serving, not for self- satisfaction. How are you using your spiritual maturity to help weaker believers rather than to judge them?
  • 2. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (v.4). The Old Testament is for YOU — for patience, comfort, and hope. How much time do you spend in the OT? What are you learning from it?
  • 3. "The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (v.13). Joy and peace come through believing — through faith. Are you experiencing joy and peace? If not, the issue may be faith — are you believing God's promises?
  • 4. Paul's ambition was to preach where Christ had not been named (v.20). What is YOUR ambition for the Gospel? Are you content to stay comfortable, or are you willing to go where others haven't gone?
  • 5. "Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us" (v.7). Christ received you when you were His enemy — undeserving, unclean, unworthy. That is the standard for how you receive other believers. Who are you failing to receive?
  • 6. Paul asked for prayer (vv.30-31) — even the greatest apostle needed others praying for him. Who is praying for you? Who are you praying for? How seriously do you take the ministry of intercessory prayer?
  • 7. Paul planned to visit Rome on his way to Spain (v.24). He had a vision for the unreached. What is your vision for the Gospel's advance? Is it limited to your immediate circle, or does it extend to the unreached?
  • 8. The Gentile churches gave financially to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (vv.26-27). Generosity across cultural lines demonstrates Gospel unity. How generous are you toward believers who are different from you?
  • 9. Paul said "I shall come in the fulness of the blessing" (v.29). He expected his visit to Rome to be fruitful. Do you approach ministry opportunities with expectation, or with low expectations?