Romans 15

Bear with the Weak

1We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbor for their good, to build them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.” 4For everything written beforehand was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same mindset toward one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together, with one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory.

Christ Serves Israel and Brings Mercy to the Nations

8For I tell you that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the ancestors, 9and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for mercy, as it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing to your name.” 10And again it says,
“Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people.” 11And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise him.” 12And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles will hope.” 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust, so that you may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Paul’s Priest-like Ministry of the Gospel

14I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15But I have written to you rather boldly on some points as a reminder, because of the grace God gave me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving the gospel of God in a priestly way, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus about the things that belong to God. 18I will not dare speak of anything except what Christ accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience, by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. 20In this way I make it my ambition to announce the good news where Christ has not been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, 21but as it is written,
“Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.”

Paul Plans to Visit Rome

22This is why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23But now, since I no longer have a place for this work in these regions and have longed for many years to come to you, 24I hope to see you when I travel to Spain and to be sent on my way there by you, after first enjoying your company for a while. 25But now I am going to Jerusalem to serve the holy ones. 26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they also owe service to them in material things. 28Therefore, when I have completed this and safely delivered this fruit to them, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of Christ’s blessing.

30I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit’s love, to struggle together with me in prayers to God for me, 31that I may be rescued from the disobedient in Judea and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the holy ones, 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. 33May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.