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Self-denial on Behalf of Others

15 Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “The reproaches of those who reproached You (the Father) fell on Me (the Son).”(A) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written,

Therefore I praise You among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.”(B)

10 Again it says,

Rejoice and celebrate, O Gentiles, along with His people.”(C)

11 And again,

Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him!”(D)

12 Again Isaiah says,

There shall be a root of [b]Jesse,
He who arises to rule [as King] over the Gentiles,
In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”(E)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

14 Personally I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another. 15 Still, on some points I have written to you very boldly and without reservation to remind you [about them] again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have found [legitimate] reason for boasting in things related [to my service] to God. 18 For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed, 19 with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] in the power of the Spirit. So [starting] from Jerusalem and as far away as [c]Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel [faithfully preaching the good news] of Christ [where it had not before been preached]. 20 Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21 but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture],

They who had no news of Him shall see,
And they who have not heard [of Him] shall understand.”(F)

22 This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome]. 23 But now, with no further place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you— 24 whenever I go [on my trip] to Spain—I hope to see you as I pass through [Rome], and to be helped on my journey there by you, after I have first enjoyed your company for a little while. 25 But for now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Jewish believers). 26 For [Gentile believers in] [d]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then they are indebted to serve them also in [tangible] material things. 28 Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I do come to you, I will come in the abundant blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf, 31 [and pray] that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints (Jewish believers) there; 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:2 I.e. all those with whom we have contact.
  2. Romans 15:12 Jesse was the father of David the king, and Jesus (the Messiah) was a descendant of David.
  3. Romans 15:19 Located nearly 1,400 miles from Jerusalem, Illyricum was a Roman province of economic and strategic importance. It was a large region north of Macedonia located between the Adriatic Sea and the Danube River, and was known for its commercial seaports and gold mines. The great Roman road, Via Egnatia, started in Illyricum and ran eastward to Byzantium.
  4. Romans 15:26 In addition to Macedonia and Achaia some churches in Asia Minor also contributed to this offering.

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(A) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(B) to build them up.(C) For even Christ did not please himself(D) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a](E) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(F) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

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

Accept one another,(J) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b](K) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises(L) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles(M) might glorify God(N) for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[c](O)

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d](P)

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[e](Q)

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse(R) will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f](S)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace(T) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(U)

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness,(V) filled with knowledge(W) and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me(X) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.(Y) He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God,(Z) so that the Gentiles might become an offering(AA) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus(AB) in my service to God.(AC) 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles(AD) to obey God(AE) by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,(AF) through the power of the Spirit of God.(AG) So from Jerusalem(AH) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(AI) 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel(AJ) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.(AK) 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[g](AL)

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

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,(AN) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(AO) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(AP) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(AQ) in the service(AR) of the Lord’s people(AS) there. 26 For Macedonia(AT) and Achaia(AU) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(AV) 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.(AW) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(AX) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(AY) 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,(AZ) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(BA) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(BB) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(BC) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(BD) there, 32 so that I may come to you(BE) with joy, by God’s will,(BF) and in your company be refreshed.(BG) 33 The God of peace(BH) 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)

15 1 The stronger must employ their strength to strengthen the weak. 5 By Christ’s example, 7 who received 8 not only the Jews, 10 but also the Gentiles. 15 The cause why he wrote this Epistle.

We [a]which are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to [b]please ourselves.

Therefore let every man please his neighbor in that that is [c]good to edification.

[d]For Christ also would not please himself, but as it is written, (A)The rebukes of them which rebuke thee, fell on me.

[e]For whatsoever things are written [f]aforetime, are written for our learning, that we through patience, and comfort of the [g]Scriptures might have hope.

[h]Now the God of patience and consolation give you that ye be (B)like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus,

That ye with one mind, and with one mouth may praise God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also [i]received us to the glory of God.

[j]Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the [k]circumcision, for the [l]truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

[m]And let the Gentiles praise God, for his mercy, as it is written, (C)For this cause I will [n]confess thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy Name.

10 And again he saith, (D)Rejoice, ye Gentiles with his people.

11 And again, (E)Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud ye him all people together.

12 And again Isaiah saith, (F)There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13 [o]Now the God of [p]hope fill you with [q]all joy, and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the holy Ghost.

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

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have somewhat boldly after a sort written unto you, as one that putteth you in remembrance, through the grace that is given me of God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ toward the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the [t]offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost.

17 [u]I have therefore whereof I may rejoice in Christ Jesus in those things which pertain to God.

18 For I dare not speak of anything, which [v]Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient in word and deed,

19 With the [w]power of signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God: so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have caused to abound the Gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, so I enforced myself to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should have built on another man’s foundation.

21 But as it is written, (G)To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see him, and they that heard not, shall understand him.

22 (H)[x]Therefore also I have been oft let to come unto you:

23 But now seeing I have no more place in these quarters, and also have (I)been desirous many years agone to come unto you,

24 When I shall 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, after that I have been somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now go I to Jerusalem, to [y]minister unto the Saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain distribution unto the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 [z]For it hath pleased them, and their debtors are they: (J)for if the Gentiles be made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to [aa]minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When I have therefore performed this, and have [ab]sealed them this [ac]fruit, I will pass by you into Spain.

29 [ad]And I know when I come, that I shall come to you with abundance of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

30 Also brethren, I beseech you for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the [ae]love of the spirit, that ye would strive with me by prayers to God for me,

31 That I may be delivered from them which are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have to do at Jerusalem, may be accepted of the Saints,

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

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

Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:1 Now the Apostle reasoneth generally of tolerating or bearing with the weak by all means, so far forth as may be for their profit.
  2. Romans 15:1 And despise others.
  3. Romans 15:2 For his profit and edification.
  4. Romans 15:3 A confirmation taken of the example of Christ, who suffered all things to bring not only the weak, but also his most cruel enemies, overcoming them with patience, to his Father.
  5. Romans 15:4 The preventing of an objection: Such things as are cited out of the examples of the ancients, are propounded unto us to this end and purpose, that according to the example of our Fathers, we should in patience and hope bear one with another.
  6. Romans 15:4 By Moses and the Prophets.
  7. Romans 15:4 The Scriptures are said to teach and comfort, because God useth them to teach and comfort his people withall.
  8. Romans 15:5 We must take an example of patience, of God that both the weak and the strong serving God with a mutual consent, may bring one another to God, as Christ also received us unto himself, although we were never so unworthy.
  9. Romans 15:7 He did not disdain us, but received us of his own accord, to make us partakers of God’s glory.
  10. Romans 15:8 An applying of the example of Christ to the Jews, whom he vouchsafed this honor for the promises which he made unto their fathers, although they were never so unworthy, that he executed the office of a minister amongst them with marvelous patience. Therefore much less ought the Gentiles despise them for certain faults, whom the Son of God so much esteemed.
  11. Romans 15:8 Of the circumcised Jews, for as long as he lived, he never went out of their quarters.
  12. Romans 15:8 That God might be seen to be true.
  13. Romans 15:9 An applying of the same to the Gentiles, whom also the Lord of his incomprehensible goodness had regard of, so that they are not to be condemned of the Jews as strangers.
  14. Romans 15:9 I will openly profess, and set forth thy Name.
  15. Romans 15:13 He sealeth up as it were all the former treatise with prayers, wishing all that to be given them of the Lord, that he had commanded them.
  16. Romans 15:13 In whom we hope.
  17. Romans 15:13 Abundantly and plentifully.
  18. Romans 15:14 The conclusion of the Epistle, wherein he first excuseth himself, that he hath written somewhat at large unto them, rather to warn them, than to teach them, and that of necessity, by reason of his vocation, which bindeth him peculiarly to the Gentiles.
  19. Romans 15:14 Of your own accord, and of yourselves.
  20. Romans 15:16 By the offering up of the Gentiles, he meaneth the Gentiles themselves, whom he offered to God as a sacrifice.
  21. Romans 15:17 He commendeth his Apostleship highly by the effects, but yet so that moreover and besides that he speaketh all things truly, he giveth all the glory to God as the only author: and doth not properly respect himself, but this rather: that men might less doubt of the truth of the doctrine which he propoundeth unto them.
  22. Romans 15:18 Christ was so with me in all things, and by all means, that if I would never so fain, yet I cannot say, what he hath done by me to bring the Gentiles to obey the Gospel.
  23. Romans 15:19 In the first place this word, Power, signifieth the force, and working of the wonders in piercing men’s minds: and in the latter, it signifieth God’s mighty power which was the worker of those wonders.
  24. Romans 15:22 He writeth at large to the Romans, and that familiarly, his singular good will towards them, and the state of his affairs, but so, that he swerveth not an iota from the end of Apostolical doctrine: for he declareth nothing but that which appertaineth to his office, and is godly: and commending by a little digression as it were, the liberality of the Churches of Macedonia, he provoketh them modestly to follow their godly deed.
  25. Romans 15:25 Doing, his duty for the Saints, to carry them that money which was gathered for their use.
  26. Romans 15:27 Alms are voluntary, but yet such as we owe by the law of charity.
  27. Romans 15:27 To serve the turns.
  28. Romans 15:28 Performed it faithfully, and sealed it as it were with my ring.
  29. Romans 15:28 This money which was gathered for the use of the poor: which alms is very fitly called fruit.
  30. Romans 15:29 He promiseth them through the blessing of God, not to come empty unto them: and requiring of them the duty of prayers, he showeth what thing we ought chiefly to rest upon in all difficulties and adversities.
  31. Romans 15:30 For that mutual communion, wherewith the holy Ghost hath tied our hearts and minds together.