The big picture
Romans 15 opens in verse 1 with “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain…”, and closes in verse 33 with “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Romans · King James Version · 33Romans 15:1-7
1–7: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and…
Romans 15:1–7 opens with “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” and reaches “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 15 develops its own movement around Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, with particular weight carried by Christ, written, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bear, infirmities, please. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
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 15:8-14
8–14: I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth…
Romans 15:8–14 opens with “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm…” and reaches “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 15 develops its own movement around Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, with particular weight carried by Gentiles, hope, people.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among…” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Romans 15:8-14
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.
14And 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.
Romans 15:15-21
15–21: Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some…
Romans 15:15–21 opens with “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in…” and reaches “But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 15 develops its own movement around Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, with particular weight carried by Christ, Gentiles, gospel.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the…” Naming Nevertheless keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of…” Naming Gentiles and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Romans 15:15-21
King James Version15Nevertheless, 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 15:22-28
22–28: For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
Romans 15:22–28 opens with “For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.” and reaches “When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 15 develops its own movement around Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, with particular weight carried by Jerusalem, journey, minister.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;” The line’s distinctive content terms include desire, parts, place. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.
Romans 15:22-28
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.
Romans 15:29-33
29–33: I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the…
Romans 15:29–33 opens with “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the…” and reaches “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 15 develops its own movement around Christ, Gentiles, Jesus, written, gospel, with particular weight carried by accepted, Amen, believe.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Romans 15:29-33
King James Version29And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30Now 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.
What is Abram invited to trust?
God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.
Why does the delay matter?
The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.