Please Others, Not Yourself
15 We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself. But as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, for the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
“For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praises to Your name.”
10 He also says:
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
11 And again:
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise Him.”
12 And again Isaiah says:
“There shall be a root of Jesse;
He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
in Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Missionary Commission
14 Now I myself am persuaded concerning you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and also able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, brothers, I have written even more boldly to you on some points, to remind you, because of the grace that is given to me from God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 In Christ Jesus therefore I have reason to boast in my service to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 So I have strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, so that I should not build on another man’s foundation. 21 But as it is written:
“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
and those who have not heard shall understand.”
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
22 For this reason also I was often hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, no longer having a place in these regions, and having a great desire for many years to come to you, 24 whenever I go to Spain, I shall come to you, for I hope to see you when I pass through and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a little while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It has pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, they also ought to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have completed this and have given this blessing to them, I shall come by way of you to Spain, 29 and I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I ask you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Romans 15:3
- Romans 15:9
- Romans 15:10
- Romans 15:11
- Romans 15:12
- Romans 15:21
