The big picture
Paul draws his appeal about disputed practices toward a wider picture of welcome. Paul is Jesus Christ's messenger, writing to believers in Rome, the imperial capital. Christ's welcome supplies the pattern for their common life across Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. Paul then explains his own work among the nations and his hope to visit them. Before that visit, he must carry aid to poor believers elsewhere. His plans lead into a request for prayer about both danger and acceptance.
In this chapter
- Strength Serves Another Person’s Good Romans 15:1-7
Those with stronger confidence should bear the weakness of others rather than live to please themselves.
- The Nations Join the Promised Praise Romans 15:8-13
Christ served the Jewish people to confirm God's promises to their ancestors.
- Paul’s Calling Is to Unreached Hearers Romans 15:14-21
Paul trusts that the Roman believers have goodness and knowledge enough to instruct one another.
- Relief Comes Before the Planned Visit Romans 15:22-29
This work has delayed Paul's visit for years.
- Prayer for Safety and Acceptance Romans 15:30-33
Paul appeals through Jesus and the Spirit's love for the Romans to struggle beside him in prayer.
Central truth
Christ's welcome calls believers into shared praise and practical care, while Paul plans further witness and asks prayer for his service.
Scripture beside the summary
Romans · King James Version · 33Romans 15:1-7
Strength Serves Another Person’s Good
Those with stronger confidence should bear the weakness of others rather than live to please themselves. Pleasing a neighbour means seeking that person's good and growth, not flattering every wish. Christ did not put his own comfort first; he bore insults aimed at God. Earlier Scripture teaches endurance and gives encouragement so hope can grow. Paul asks God to grant a shared mind shaped by Christ, leading to one voice of praise. The believers should welcome each other as Christ welcomed them. Their unity is a response to his mercy, not a reward for identical opinions.
In everyday life
A stronger walker shortens her pace to stay beside a companion recovering from illness. She chooses a route that helps him build strength instead of proving how far she can go alone. Their shared arrival matters more than her best time. Paul's pattern is Christ's costly welcome and the common praise of God.
Notice
Romans 15:2 Pleasing a neighbour is qualified by that person's good and growth. Paul is not asking for approval at any price or the surrender of truth.
Romans 15:1-7
King James Version1We 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.
Romans 15:8-13
The Nations Join the Promised Praise
Christ served the Jewish people to confirm God's promises to their ancestors. At the same time, Gentiles, people of other nations, glorify God for mercy. Paul gathers Scripture that places the nations beside God's people in praise. Esaias, an earlier prophet, speaks of a ruler from the root of Jesse, the father of King David. Nations will place their hope in him. Paul ends with a prayer to the God of hope. Believing should be filled with joy and peace, overflowing in hope through the Holy Ghost, God's Spirit. Shared praise fits the ancient promises rather than contradicting them.
In everyday life
A district choir opens an old score and finds parts written for voices from neighbouring districts. When those singers arrive, the music is fuller without abandoning its first melody. Their inclusion was present in the score before the current rehearsal. Paul reads Scripture as promising the nations' hope in Christ, not an artistic arrangement.
Notice
Romans 15:12 The promised ruler is linked to Jesse's family and the nations' trust. Israel's ancestral promise becomes a source of hope beyond its own people.
Romans 15:8-13
King James Version8Now 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.
Romans 15:14-21
Paul’s Calling Is to Unreached Hearers
Paul trusts that the Roman believers have goodness and knowledge enough to instruct one another. His bold reminders arise from the grace God gave him. He describes his Gentile ministry like priestly service, offering people made holy by the Spirit. He boasts only of what Christ has done through him in words, deeds, and signs. His preaching has stretched from Jerusalem, the chief Jewish city, toward Illyricum, a distant region. He seeks places where Christ has not been named, rather than building on another worker's foundation. Scripture about previously unreached people seeing and understanding directs that aim.
In everyday life
A mobile librarian plans stops in villages with no reading room instead of setting up beside a well-stocked library. She respects the work already serving other places and concentrates her van's limited space on people still unreached. Her route follows a gap, not rivalry. Paul carries Christ's message through a calling sanctified by God's Spirit.
Notice
Romans 15:18 Paul limits his claim to what Christ has actually done through him. His account of work is meant to credit its source rather than enlarge his own reputation.
Romans 15:14-21
King James Version14And 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.
Romans 15:22-29
Relief Comes Before the Planned Visit
This work has delayed Paul's visit for years. Now he hopes to travel toward Spain, a western land, stopping in Rome for fellowship and onward support. First he must go to Jerusalem with aid. Believers in Macedonia and Achaia, two Greek regions, have contributed for poor believers there. They gave gladly, yet Paul also calls the gift a fitting debt. Gentiles have shared spiritual gifts rooted in the Jewish people, so material help is appropriate in return. Once the collection is safely delivered, Paul plans to come with the blessing of Christ's good news.
In everyday life
A trade-school graduate packs donated tools for the workshop that trained her before travelling to a new post. Friends in her new town contribute gladly because they too have benefited from the training passed through her. Gratitude takes the form of usable help. Paul's collection links Gentile believers with poor believers whose spiritual heritage they share.
Notice
Romans 15:27 Paul describes the gift as both willing and owed. Gratitude freely offered can still recognise a real responsibility toward people whose gifts others have received.
Romans 15:22-29
King James Version22For 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.
Romans 15:30-33
Prayer for Safety and Acceptance
Paul appeals through Jesus and the Spirit's love for the Romans to struggle beside him in prayer. He asks rescue from unbelieving opponents in Judaea, the region around Jerusalem. He also asks that the believers receive the service he brings. Safe arrival is not his only concern; the gift must be welcomed for its intended good. He hopes then to visit Rome with joy, if God wills, and find refreshment with them. He closes this appeal with a wish that the God of peace be with them all.
In everyday life
An aid courier phones the donors before entering a district where mistrust has blocked earlier deliveries. She names two needs: safe passage and willingness among local recipients to receive the supplies. Reaching the warehouse door will not by itself complete the work. Paul asks fellow believers to join him in prayer to God for both outcomes.
Notice
Romans 15:31 The request distinguishes hostile outsiders from the believers who must accept the aid. Paul recognises that danger and strained trust are different obstacles to the same service.
Romans 15:30-33
King James Version30Now 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Romans 15:1 begins with “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Where the chapter turns
Romans 15:13 forms a natural hinge: “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.”
The final note
Romans 15:33 leaves the reader with “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, Jerusalem help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- admonish
- Warn or instruct someone for their good.
- carnal things
- Material needs or resources, rather than spiritual gifts, in this use.
- consolation
- Comfort or encouragement that helps people endure.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
