Romans 15:14-16:27

Christian Standard Bible

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,^(A) filled with all knowledge,^(B) and able to instruct one another. ¹⁵ Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points^[a] because of the grace given me by God^{(C) 16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,^(D) serving as a priest of the gospel of God.^(E) God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,^(F) sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus^(G) regarding what pertains to God.^{(H) 18} For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me^(I) by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, ¹⁹ by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,^(J) and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem^(K) all the way around to Illyricum.^{[b](L) 20} My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,^(M) so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,^{(N) 21} but, as it is written,

Paul’s Travel Plans

²² That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.^{(P) 23} But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,^[d] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you^{(Q) 24} whenever I travel to Spain.^[e] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,^(R) once I have first enjoyed your company^(S) for a while. ²⁵ Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem^(T) to serve the saints,^{(U) 26} because Macedonia^(V) and Achaia^(W) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,^(X) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. ²⁸ So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds^[f] to them,^[g](Y) I will visit you on the way to Spain. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing^[h] of Christ.

³⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,^(Z) to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.^{(AA) 31} Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,^(AB) that my ministry to^[i] Jerusalem^(AC) may be acceptable to the saints,^{(AD) 32} and that, by God’s will,^(AE) I may come to you with joy^(AF) and be refreshed together with you.

³³ May the God of peace be with all of you.^(AG) Amen.

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

16 I commend to you^(AH) our sister Phoebe, who is a servant^[j] of the church in Cenchreae.^{(AI) 2} So you should welcome her in the Lord^(AJ) in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

³ Give my greetings to Prisca^[k] and Aquila,^(AK) my coworkers in^(AL) Christ Jesus,^{(AM) 4} who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. ⁵ Greet also the church that meets in their home.^(AN) Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert^[l](AO) to Christ from Asia.^{[m](AP) 6} Greet Mary,^[n] who has worked very hard for you.^{[o] 7} Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews^[p](AQ) and fellow prisoners.^(AR) They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles,^[q] and they were also in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.^{(AS) 11} Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.^[r] Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus,^(AT) chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.^{(AU) 16} Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(AV) All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Warning against Divisive People

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.^(AW) Avoid them,^{(AX) 18} because such people do not serve our Lord Christ^(AY) but their own appetites.^[s](AZ) They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.^(BA)

Paul’s Gracious Conclusion

¹⁹ The report of your obedience has reached everyone.^(BB) Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.^{(BC) 20} The God of peace^(BD) will soon crush Satan^(BE) under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.^(BF)

²¹ Timothy,^(BG) my coworker, and Lucius,^(BH) Jason,^(BI) and Sosipater,^(BJ) my fellow countrymen, greet you.

²² I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,^(BK) greet you in the Lord.^[t]

²³ Gaius,^(BL) who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus,^(BM) the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.^[u]

Glory to God

²⁵ Now to him who is able to strengthen you^(BN) according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,^(BO) according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent^(BP) for long ages^{(BQ) 26} but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,^(BR) according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith^(BS) among all the Gentiles— ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever!^[v](BT) Amen.