Romans 15
1599 Geneva Bible
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.
1 We [a]which are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to [b]please ourselves.
2 Therefore let every man please his neighbor in that that is [c]good to edification.
3 [d]For Christ also would not please himself, but as it is written, (A)The rebukes of them which rebuke thee, fell on me.
4 [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.
5 [h]Now the God of patience and consolation give you that ye be (B)like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus,
6 That ye with one mind, and with one mouth may praise God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also [i]received us to the glory of God.
8 [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.
9 [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
- 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.
- Romans 15:1 And despise others.
- Romans 15:2 For his profit and edification.
- 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.
- 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.
- Romans 15:4 By Moses and the Prophets.
- Romans 15:4 The Scriptures are said to teach and comfort, because God useth them to teach and comfort his people withall.
- 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.
- Romans 15:7 He did not disdain us, but received us of his own accord, to make us partakers of God’s glory.
- 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.
- Romans 15:8 Of the circumcised Jews, for as long as he lived, he never went out of their quarters.
- Romans 15:8 That God might be seen to be true.
- 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.
- Romans 15:9 I will openly profess, and set forth thy Name.
- 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.
- Romans 15:13 In whom we hope.
- Romans 15:13 Abundantly and plentifully.
- 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.
- Romans 15:14 Of your own accord, and of yourselves.
- Romans 15:16 By the offering up of the Gentiles, he meaneth the Gentiles themselves, whom he offered to God as a sacrifice.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Romans 15:25 Doing, his duty for the Saints, to carry them that money which was gathered for their use.
- Romans 15:27 Alms are voluntary, but yet such as we owe by the law of charity.
- Romans 15:27 To serve the turns.
- Romans 15:28 Performed it faithfully, and sealed it as it were with my ring.
- Romans 15:28 This money which was gathered for the use of the poor: which alms is very fitly called fruit.
- 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.
- Romans 15:30 For that mutual communion, wherewith the holy Ghost hath tied our hearts and minds together.
Romans 15
King James Version
15 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And 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.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And 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.
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.
14 And 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.
15 Nevertheless, 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,
16 That 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.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For 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,
19 Through 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.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever 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.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It 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.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now 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;
31 That 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;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
Common English Bible
15 We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good in order to build them up. 3 Christ didn’t please himself, but, as it is written, The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.[a] 4 Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. 6 That way you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ together with one voice.
7 So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory. 8 I’m saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the ancestors, 9 and so that the Gentiles could 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.[b]
10 And again, it says,
Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people.[c]
11 And again,
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and all the people should sing his praises.[d]
12 And again, Isaiah says,
There will be a root of Jesse,
who will also rise to rule the Gentiles.
The Gentiles will place their hope in him.[e]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles
14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and are able to teach each other. 15 But I’ve written to you in a sort of daring way, partly to remind you of what you already know. I’m writing to you in this way because of the grace that was given to me by God. 16 It helps me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I’m working as a priest of God’s gospel so that the offering of the Gentiles can be acceptable and made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So in Christ Jesus I brag about things that have to do with God. 18 I don’t dare speak about anything except what Christ has done through me to bring about the obedience of the Gentiles. He did it by what I’ve said and what I’ve done, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. So I’ve completed the circuit of preaching Christ’s gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 20 In this way, I have a goal to preach the gospel where they haven’t heard of Christ yet, so that I won’t be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Instead, as it’s written, Those who hadn’t been told about him will see, and those who hadn’t heard will understand.[f]
Travel plans to visit Rome
22 That’s why I’ve been stopped so many times from coming to see you. 23 But now, since I don’t have any place to work in these regions anymore, and since I’ve wanted to come to see you for many years, 24 I’ll visit you when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while I’m passing through. And I hope you will send me on my way there, after I have first been reenergized by some time in your company.
25 But now I’m going to Jerusalem, to serve God’s people. 26 Macedonia and Achaia have been happy to make a contribution for the poor among God’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were happy to do this, and they are actually in debt to God’s people in Jerusalem. If the Gentiles got a share of the Jewish people’s spiritual resources, they ought to minister to them with material resources. 28 So then after I have finished this job and have safely delivered the final amount of the Gentiles’ offering to them, I will leave for Spain, visiting you on the way. 29 And I know that when I come to you I will come with the fullest blessing of Christ.
30 Brothers and sisters, I urge you, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggles in your prayers to God for me. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from the people in Judea who don’t believe. Also, pray that my service for Jerusalem will be acceptable to God’s people there 32 so that I can come to you with joy by God’s will and be reenergized with your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
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