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Romans 15
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

15 1 But[a] we, the strong ones, ought to be carrying[b] the weaknesses of the ones not-strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves.

Be Pleasing Your Neighbor. For Even Christ Didn’t Please Himself, As It Is Written

2 Let each of us be pleasing his neighbor for good, toward [his] edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but just as it has been written [in Ps 69:9]: “The reproaches of the ones reproaching You fell upon Me”.

For Scripture Was Written To Give Us Hope As We Endure In This

4 For all that was written-before was written for our instruction, in order that we might have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures.

May God Help You All To Think The Same Thing, To His Glory

5 Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be thinking the same[c] thing among one another according-to[d] Christ Jesus, 6 in order that with-one-accord you may with one mouth be glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore Accept One Another As Christ Has Accepted You, Both Jew And Gentile

7 Therefore, be accepting one-another, just as Christ also accepted you— for the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, so that He might confirm the promises of [e] the fathers, 9 and the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy just as it has been written: “For this reason I will praise You among the Gentiles and I will sing-praise to Your name” [Ps 18:49]. 10 And again he says, “Celebrate, Gentiles, with His people” [Deut 32:43]. 11 And again, “All Gentiles, be praising the Lord, and let all the peoples praise Him” [Ps 117:1]. 12 And again Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, even the One rising-up to rule[f] the Gentiles. The Gentiles will put-their-hope upon Him” [Isa 11:10].

Peace And Joy To You All

13 Now may the God of [g] hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may be abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Brothers, I Wrote To You As a Minister of Christ To The Gentiles, Serving The Gospel

14 Now I am convinced, my brothers— even I myself concerning you— that you yourselves also are full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge, being able also to admonish one another. 15 But I wrote more-boldly[h] to you, in part[i] as reminding you again, because of the grace having been given to me by God 16 so that I might be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, performing-priestly-service-for[j] the good-news of God in order that the offering of [k] the Gentiles might become acceptable[l], having been sanctified[m] by the Holy Spirit.

My Ministry of The Gospel To Gentiles Who Have Not Heard Is My Boast And My Ambition

17 I then have this boasting[n] in Christ Jesus as to the things pertaining to God— 18 for I will not dare[o] to speak anything of things which Christ did not accomplish through me in word and deed for[p] the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God— so-that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum[q] I have completed[r] the good-news of Christ, 20 and was thus being ambitious[s] to be announcing-the-good-news where Christ was not named in order that I might not be building upon a foundation belonging-to-another, 21 but just as it has been written [in Isa 52:15]: “Ones to whom it was not declared concerning Him will see, and they who have not heard will understand”.

Pursuing This Ministry, I Hope To Come To You On The Way To Spain

22 Therefore indeed I was hindered as to many[t] things from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these regions, and having a yearning for many years that I should come to you 24 whenever I am proceeding into Spain[u]— for I hope, while proceeding-through, to see you and to be sent-forward there by you, if I may first be filled in part with your company.

But First I Am Going To Jerusalem, Taking a Contribution To The Poor Saints There

25 But now I am proceeding to Jerusalem, serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia[v] and Achaia were well-pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were well-pleased, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted also to minister[w] to them in fleshly things. 28 Having then completed this, and having sealed[x] this fruit to them, I will go through you into Spain. 29 And I know that while coming to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Pray For Me, Brothers

30 Now I appeal-to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of [y] the Spirit, to struggle-with[z] me in your prayers to God for me— 31 that I may be delivered from the ones disobeying in Judea, and that my service[aa] for Jerusalem may prove-to-be acceptable to the saints, 32 in order that having come in joy to you by the will of God, I may rest-up-with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all, amen.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:1 The strong would completely agree with 14:22-23. But Paul wants them to also see this point, which breaks the deadlock.
  2. Romans 15:1 Or, bearing, bearing with. The strong are not just to tolerate the weak, they are to help them, support them, carry their burden.
  3. Romans 15:5 Paul does not mean the same thing about foods and days, but about the treatment of one another.
  4. Romans 15:5 Or, in harmony with.
  5. Romans 15:8 That is, belonging to.
  6. Romans 15:12 Or, be-ruler of.
  7. Romans 15:13 That is, producing, granting.
  8. Romans 15:15 Or, more daringly.
  9. Romans 15:15 That is, in part reminding you, along with the reason stated in v 23-24. Or, I wrote more boldly in part; that is, in some parts of the book, such as chapter 14.
  10. Romans 15:16 Or, serving-as-priest-for. Paul is doing temple duties in God’s spiritual temple.
  11. Romans 15:16 That is, consisting of.
  12. Romans 15:16 Or, welcome.
  13. Romans 15:16 Or, made holy, set apart to God.
  14. Romans 15:17 Or, my boasting. That is, as to his God-given ministry.
  15. Romans 15:18 Stated positively, I will dare only to speak of what Christ accomplished through me.
  16. Romans 15:18 That is, for the purpose of; or, leading to; or, resulting in.
  17. Romans 15:19 In modern terms, from Israel up and around the Mediterranean to north of Greece in the area of the Balkans.
  18. Romans 15:19 That is, completed his proclamation of the good news about Christ. Paul finished his pioneering ministry, the task he was given to do.
  19. Romans 15:20 Or. making it my ambition, pursuing as my ambition.
  20. Romans 15:22 Or, many times, and thus, ‘often’.
  21. Romans 15:24 Paul breaks off this sentence, and takes up this thought again in v 28. First he explains how the Romans fit into his yearning for Spain and his plans to get there.
  22. Romans 15:26 Compare 1 Cor 16:1; 2 Cor 8-9.
  23. Romans 15:27 Or, serve. This is the priestly service of the Gentiles.
  24. Romans 15:28 That is, secured and certified in accordance with its intention.
  25. Romans 15:30 That is, proceeding from; or, produced by.
  26. Romans 15:30 Or, fight along with.
  27. Romans 15:31 Or, ministry.
Close NET

Romans 15
New English Translation

Exhortation for the Strong to Help the Weak

15 But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.[a] 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[b] 4 For 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. 5 Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another[c] in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Exhortation to Mutual Acceptance

7 Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised[d] on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers,[e] 9 and thus the Gentiles glorify God for his mercy.[f] As it is written, “Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.”[g] 10 And again it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”[h] 11 And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.”[i] 12 And 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.”[j] 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him,[k] so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Motivation for Writing the Letter

14 But I myself am fully convinced about you, my brothers and sisters,[l] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 But I have written more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve[m] the gospel of God[n] like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering,[o] sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 So I boast[p] in Christ Jesus about the things that pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order to bring about the obedience[q] of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in 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. 20 And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”[r]

Paul’s Intention of Visiting the Romans

22 This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you. 23 But now there is nothing more to keep me[s] in these regions, and I have for many years desired[t] to come to you 24 when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me[u] on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25 But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints.[v] For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them,[w] I will set out for Spain by way of you, 29 and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ’s blessing.

30 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters,[x] through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. 31 Pray[y] that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 Now may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.[z]

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:1 tn Grk “and not please ourselves.” NT Greek negatives used in contrast like this are often not absolute, but relative: “not so much one as the other.”
  2. Romans 15:3 sn A quotation from Ps 69:9.
  3. Romans 15:5 tn Grk “grant you to think the same among one another.”
  4. Romans 15:8 tn Grk “of the circumcision”; that is, the Jews.
  5. Romans 15:8 tn Or “to the patriarchs.”
  6. Romans 15:9 tn There are two major syntactical alternatives which are both awkward: (1) One could make “glorify” dependent on “Christ has become a minister” and coordinate with “to confirm” and the result would be rendered “Christ has become a minister of circumcision to confirm the promises…and so that the Gentiles might glorify God.” (2) One could make “glorify” dependent on “I tell you” and coordinate with “Christ has become a minister” and the result would be rendered “I tell you that Christ has become a minister of circumcision…and that the Gentiles glorify God.” The second rendering is preferred.
  7. Romans 15:9 sn A quotation from Ps 18:49.
  8. Romans 15:10 sn A quotation from Deut 32:43.
  9. Romans 15:11 sn A quotation from Ps 117:1.
  10. Romans 15:12 sn A quotation from Isa 11:10.
  11. Romans 15:13 tn Grk “in the believing” or “as [you] believe,” with the object “him” supplied from the context. The referent could be God (15:13a) or Christ (15:12).
  12. Romans 15:14 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:13.
  13. Romans 15:16 tn Grk “serving.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in the Greek text, but in keeping with contemporary English style, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  14. Romans 15:16 tn The genitive in the phrase τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ (to euangelion tou theou, “the gospel of God”) could be translated as either a subjective genitive (“the gospel which God brings”) or an objective genitive (“the gospel about God”). Either is grammatically possible. This is possibly an instance of a plenary genitive (see ExSyn 119-21; M. Zerwick, Biblical Greek, §§36-39). If so, an interplay between the two concepts is intended: The gospel which God brings is in fact the gospel about himself.
  15. Romans 15:16 tn Grk “so that the offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable.” This could be understood to refer to an offering belonging to the Gentiles (a possessive genitive) or made by the Gentiles (subjective genitive), but more likely the phrase should be understood as an appositive genitive, with the Gentiles themselves consisting of the offering (so J. D. G. Dunn, Romans [WBC 38], 2:860). The latter view is reflected in the translation “so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering.”
  16. Romans 15:17 tc ‡ After οὖν (oun), several significant Alexandrian and Western mss (B C D F G 81 365) have τήν (tēn). The article is lacking in א A Ψ 33 1175 1241 1505 1739 1881 M however. P46 supplies a relative pronoun and has a different reading entirely (“which I have [as a] boast”). Articles were frequently introduced to clarify the meaning of the text. In this instance, since the word modified (καύχησιν, kauchēsin) is third declension, a visual oversight (resulting in omission) is less likely. Hence, the shorter reading is probably earlier. The difference in translation between these first two options is negligible (“I have the boast” or “I have a boast”). NA28 puts the article in brackets, indicating some doubt as to its authenticity.tn Grk “Therefore I have a boast.”
  17. Romans 15:18 tn Grk “unto obedience.”
  18. Romans 15:21 sn A quotation from Isa 52:15.
  19. Romans 15:23 tn Grk “now no longer having a place…I have.”
  20. Romans 15:23 tn Grk “but having a desire…for many years.”
  21. Romans 15:24 tn Grk “and to be helped by you.” The passive construction was changed to an active one in the translation.
  22. Romans 15:27 tn Grk “to them”; the referent (the Jerusalem saints) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  23. Romans 15:28 tn Grk “have sealed this fruit to them.”
  24. Romans 15:30 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:13.
  25. Romans 15:31 tn Verses 30-31 form one long sentence in the Greek but have been divided into two distinct sentences for clarity in English.
  26. Romans 15:33 tc Some mss lack the word “Amen” here, one of them (P46) also inserting 16:25-27 at this point. See the tc note at 16:25 for more information.
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Romans 15
New International Version - UK

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’[a] 4 For 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.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, 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.’[c]

10 Again, it says,

‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.’[d]

11 And again,

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.’[e]

12 And 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.’[f]

13 May 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.

Paul the minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written to you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to 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.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I 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 – 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It 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. 21 Rather, as it is written:

‘Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.’[g]

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s plan to visit Rome

23 But 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, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and that you will assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They 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. 28 So 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. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I 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. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favourably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
  2. Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
  3. Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
  4. Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
  5. Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
  6. Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)
  7. Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)
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