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Romans Chapter 15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 33 Verses

What is Romans 15 about?

Paul's systematic exposition of the gospel — justification by faith, the sovereignty of God, sin's universality, and life in the Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.
3For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
5Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:
6that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.
8For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises [given] unto the fathers,
9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto 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 let all the peoples praise him.
12And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God,
16that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17I have therefore my glorifying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;
20yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man`s foundation;
21but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.
22Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you:
23but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you,
24whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)--
25but now, I [say], I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.
26For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem.
27Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it [to them] also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain.
29And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.
30Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by 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 are disobedient in Judaea, and [that] my ministration which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
32that I may come unto 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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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“We then that are strong, etc..] Meaning not only ministers of the Gospel, who are men of strong parts, great abilities, mighty in the Scriptures, valiant for the truth on earth, and pillars in God's house; for though the apostle includes himself, yet not merely as such, but as expressing it to be his duty in common with other Christians; and the rather he does this, to engage them to the practice of it: but the stronger and more knowing part of private Christians are here intended; the Apostle John's young men, who are strong, in distinction from little children, or new born babes, that are at present weaklings;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED. (Rom 15:1-13) We then that are strong--on such points as have been discussed, the abolition of the Jewish distinction of meats and days under the Gospel. See on Rom 14:14; Rom 14:20. ought . . . not to please ourselves--ought to think less of what we may lawfully do than of how our conduct will affect others.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“We then that are strong - The apostle resumes the subject of the preceding chapter; and continues the exhortation to brotherly love and mutual kindness and forbearance. By the “strong” here he means the strong “in faith” in respect to the matters under discussion; those whose minds were free from doubts and perplexities. His own mind was free from doubt, and there were many others, particularly of the Gentile converts, that had the same views. But many also, particularly of the “Jewish” converts, had many doubts and scruples. Ought to bear - This word bear properly means to “lift up,” to “bear away,” to “remove.”…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“We who are strong - Of a clearer judgment, and free from these scruples. And not to please ourselves - Without any regard to others. Romans 15:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“15:1-4 We who are strong: Paul aligns himself with those he identifies as strong in faith, and he reveals that the division in the Roman church was not simply between Jews and Gentiles. Like Paul, some Jews had enlightened consciences and so were counted among the strong. Similarly, some Gentiles were so strongly influenced by Jewish teaching and tradition that they were among the weak in faith. • must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this: This phrase is reminiscent of Gal 6:2. Paul did not want the strong to simply put up with those who were weak in faith; rather the strong were to…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“strong: Rom 4:20; Co1 4:10; Co2 12:10; Eph 6:10; Ti2 2:1; Jo1 2:14 ought: Rom 14:1; Co1 9:22, Co1 12:22-24; Gal 6:1, Gal 6:2; Th1 5:14 please: Rom 15:3 Romans 15:2”
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