Romans 15
Romans 15 corresponds to the concluding section of Romans, and it contains Paul’s exhortation regarding how Christians should live and carry out their calling within the community of believers. The main structure can be divided as follows:
- Verses 1-7: Exhortation about the relationship between those who are strong and those who are weak, and to endure and accept one another
- Verses 8-13: The reconciliation and salvation of the Gentiles and the Jews through Jesus Christ
- Verses 14-21: Paul’s calling (the role of an apostle to the Gentiles) and the guiding principles of his ministry
- Verses 22-33: Paul’s travel plans and requests for prayer
1verseNow we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2verseLet each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
3verseFor even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4verseFor whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5verseNow the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6versethat with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7verseTherefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
8verseNow I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
9verseand that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”
10verseAgain he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11verseAgain, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”
12verseAgain, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13verseNow may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
14verseI myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.
15verseBut I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,
16versethat I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17verseI have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18verseFor I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
19versein the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
20verseyes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
21verseBut, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”
22verseTherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,
23versebut now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,
24versewhenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
25verseBut now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
26verseFor it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
27verseYes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things.
28verseWhen therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29verseI know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
30verseNow I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
31versethat I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32versethat I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
33verseNow the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
The Main Message of the Passage
In this chapter, Paul reminds the believers that those who are strong should embrace and help the weaknesses of the weak (verses 1-2), and that Jesus did not seek to please himself but instead lived for the sake of others (verse 3). He explains that all the records of Scripture are meant to give endurance and comfort (verse 4) and to guide our hearts to be of one mind and one accord (verses 5-6). He also emphasizes Christ’s work to save all people, including the Gentiles (verses 8-12). Paul then speaks about the mission he received for the Gentiles and explains the principles of his ministry (verses 14-21). Finally, he concludes the chapter with plans to visit Jerusalem, his hope for fellowship with the saints in the Roman church, and requests for prayer (verses 22-33).
Points for Meditation
- Mutual consideration between the strong and the weak within the community: Do you think first about the benefit of others and put it into practice, rather than focusing on your own advantage?
- The example of Jesus: Do you remember how Jesus became an example for us?
- God’s salvation, open to all nations: Do I sincerely receive those with different backgrounds and cultures?
- Faithfulness to one’s calling: Like Paul, am I focusing on the work God has entrusted to me?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- I think about specific ways I can look after and serve those I consider “the weak” around me.
- In meditation and prayer, I choose to set aside my selfishness and, following Jesus’ example, to first pay attention to the needs of others.
- I examine whether I am working to ensure that sharing and unity are well established within the community.
- I ask what the mission God has entrusted to me is, and how I can carry it out faithfully.
