Paul's four consecutive Old Testament quotations in verses 9-12 create an unprecedented scriptural cascade, with each citation escalating from individual praise to universal Gentile worship.
Romans 15
Christ the Example of Self-Sacrifice
1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
3For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
8Now 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,
9and 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.”
10Again he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”
12Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13Now 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.
Paul's Missionary Calling
14I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.
15But I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,
16that 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.
17I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18For 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,
19in 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;
20yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
21But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”
Paul's Travel Plans
22Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,
23but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,
24whenever 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.
25But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
26For 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.
27Yes, 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.
28When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
30Now 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,
31that 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,
32that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
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Theme
Paul concludes his theological instruction by emphasizing Christian unity and mutual acceptance, using Christ's self-sacrificial example as the model for believers. He explains his apostolic calling to the Gentiles and reflects on his missionary achievements from Jerusalem to Illyricum, always seeking to preach where Christ has not been named. The chapter closes with Paul's travel plans, including his desire to visit Rome en route to Spain after delivering the collection to Jerusalem, demonstrating the practical outworking of Christian fellowship and generosity.
Context
This chapter transitions from Paul's theological arguments in chapters 1-14 to the personal and practical matters that conclude the letter.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-7 Christ's Example of Self-Sacrifice Paul calls believers to bear one another's weaknesses and accept each other as Christ accepted them.
- 8-13 Unity of Jews and Gentiles Christ serves both circumcised and uncircumcised to fulfill God's promises and extend mercy to all nations.
- 14-21 Paul's Apostolic Ministry Paul explains his calling as apostle to the Gentiles and his strategy of preaching where Christ is unknown.
- 22-33 Travel Plans and Requests Paul outlines his plans to visit Rome, deliver aid to Jerusalem, and continue to Spain while requesting prayer support.
Christ the Example of Self-Sacrifice
15:1–15:13 epistle instruction hopeful
Paul instructs believers to follow Christ's example of self-sacrifice by bearing with the weak and accepting one another. He emphasizes unity between Jews and Gentiles in glorifying God and cites Old Testament passages about Gentile inclusion.
quotation_chain
Paul's four consecutive Old Testament quotations in verses 9-12 create an unprecedented scriptural cascade, with each citation escalating from individual praise to universal Gentile worship.
Paul's Missionary Calling
15:14–15:21 epistle instruction triumphant
Paul describes his divine calling as apostle to the Gentiles and his missionary work from Jerusalem to Illyricum. He emphasizes preaching where Christ has not been named and working through God's power with signs and wonders.
person_contrast
Paul uniquely combines "grace" with "signs and wonders" here, contrasting his typical pairing of grace with fellowship themes across his other 89 New Testament appearances.
Paul's Travel Plans
15:22–15:33 epistle instruction hopeful
Paul outlines his travel plans to visit Rome en route to Spain after delivering a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. He requests prayer for protection and successful completion of his ministry.
person_contrast
Paul's threefold prayer request—protection from unbelievers, acceptance by saints, and joyful arrival—uniquely combines physical danger with relational anxiety, revealing his vulnerability despite apostolic authority.
Insights
Paul uniquely combines "grace" with "signs and wonders" here, contrasting his typical pairing of grace with fellowship themes across his other 89 New Testament appearances.
Paul's threefold prayer request—protection from unbelievers, acceptance by saints, and joyful arrival—uniquely combines physical danger with relational anxiety, revealing his vulnerability despite apostolic authority.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Romans 15:7 1 reference
Romans 15:9 4 references
Lexicals 4
Romans 2:24 Lexical
For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
Romans 1:5 Lexical
through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
Romans 4:17 Lexical
As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who…
Acts 15:14 Lexical
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.
Romans 15:10 2 references
Romans 15:11 1 reference
Romans 15:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 14:17 Lexical
for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 Lexical
The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 Lexical
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
Romans 5:5 Lexical
and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given…
1 Thessalonians 1:6 Lexical
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 15:14 1 reference
Romans 15:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ephesians 3:6 Lexical
that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus t…
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Lexical
and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance.…
Ephesians 1:13 Lexical
In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you…
Hebrews 10:14 Lexical
For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:10 Lexical
by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Romans 15:18 1 reference
Romans 15:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Hebrews 2:4 Lexical
God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, ac…
Matthew 24:24 Lexical
For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if po…
Acts 2:22 Lexical
“Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs…
2 Corinthians 12:12 Lexical
Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Lexical
even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Romans 15:20 1 reference
Romans 15:24 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Corinthians 16:6 Lexical
But with you it may be that I will stay with you, or even winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I…
Matthew 11:7 Lexical
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
Matthew 12:45 Lexical
Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The las…
Luke 11:26 Lexical
Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of…
Romans 15:26 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 19:21 Lexical
Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go…
1 Thessalonians 1:8 Lexical
For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your fait…
1 Thessalonians 1:7 Lexical
so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Romans 15:27 1 reference
Romans 15:30 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Timothy 2:1 Lexical
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,
2 Corinthians 13:11 Lexical
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peac…
Romans 14:15 Lexical
Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Ch…
1 John 3:16 Lexical
By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Romans 15:31 1 reference
Interlinear
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