Romans

Romans 15

Bear the Weaknesses of the Weak

1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for what is good, toward building up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written:

“The reproaches of those who reproached you

fell on me.”

4 For whatever was written before was written for our teaching, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 And may the God of endurance and encouragement give you to think the same among one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind, with one mouth, you may give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Nations Give Glory for His Mercy

7 Therefore receive one another, as Christ also received you, to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant of the circumcision for the sake of God’s truth, to confirm the promises of the fathers, 9 and for the nations to give glory to God for his mercy; as it is written:

“Therefore I will give thanks to you among the nations,

and I will make music to your name.”

10 And again it says:

“Be glad, you nations, with his people.”

11 And again:

“Praise the Lord, all nations,

and let all the peoples praise him.”

12 And again Isaiah says:

“There will be the root of Jesse,

and the one who rises to rule nations;

in him nations will hope.”

13 And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in trusting, so that you may overflow in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Public Servant to the Nations

14 And I myself am persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to warn one another. 15 But I have written to you rather boldly in part, as putting you in mind again, because of the favor given to me by God 16 to be a public servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, serving as a priest with the good news of God, so that the offering of the nations may be well received, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

17 So I have this boasting in Christ Jesus in the things that have to do with God; 18 for I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ worked through me for the obedience of the nations, by word and by work, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit — so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have fulfilled the good news of Christ, 20 and so counting it my honor to bring the good news not where Christ had been named, so that I might not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:

“Those who received no report about him will see,

and those who never heard will understand.”

Jerusalem, Then Rome, Then Spain

22 That is why I was hindered many times from coming to you; 23 but now, no longer having a place in these regions, and having a longing for many years to come to you, 24 whenever I travel to Spain — for I hope, as I pass through, to see you and to be sent on there by you, if first I may be filled with you in part — 25 but now I am going to Jerusalem, serving the holy ones.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some sharing for the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to, and they are in their debt; for if the nations shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them in the things of the flesh. 28 So when I have finished this, and have sealed this fruit to them, I will go off through you to Spain; 29 and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

30 Now I call on you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to struggle together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those in Judea who will not be persuaded, and that my service for Jerusalem may be well received by the holy ones, 32 so that, coming to you in joy through the will of God, I may be refreshed together with you. 33 And may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.