Romans 15

1 We [who are spiritually strong] who are strong [able, powerful] ought to bear [carry, support] with the shortcomings [weaknesses, infirmities] of the weak [unable, feeble] and not to please [be agreeable to] ourselves [our own desires, themself]. word study 2 Each [every one of us, individually] of us should please [be agreeable to, show kindness to] his neighbor [fellow Christian, those near to us] for his good [benefit, that which is morally right], to build [edify, construct spiritually] him up [strengthen, help mature spiritually]. word study 3 For even Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] did not please [seek to gratify or satisfy] Himself [His own desires], but as it is written: “The insults of those who [intentionally] insult [speak badly of] You [God, the Father] have fallen [been laid, come to rest] on Me [upon Jesus, as a substitute].” word study 4 For everything [all things, whatsoever] that was written [designated, recorded] in the past [aforetime, before our time] was written [recorded, inscribed] for our [belonging to us] instruction [learning, teaching], so that through [because of, by means of] endurance [perseverance, patiently waiting] and the encouragement [comfort, solace] of the Scriptures [holy Writings], we might have [possess, hold] hope [expectation, trust]. word study 5 Now may the God [of patience and consolation] who gives [bestows, grants] endurance [perseverance, patiently waiting] and encouragement [comfort, solace] grant you [to be of the same mind] harmony [to be likeminded, in full agreement] with one another [toward each other, mutually] in [according to, following] Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the anointed one], word study 6 so that with [one accord, united] one mind [in complete agreement] and one voice [mouth, speech] you may glorify [praise, honor] the God [the Father, Almighty] and Father [Creator, Provider] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah]. word study 7 Accept [welcome, receive with open hearts] one another [as fellow believers, mutual friends], then, just as [in the same way, to the same extent] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] accepted [received, took in] you, in order to [with the purpose of, so that you may] bring [give, offer] glory [honor, praise, worship] to God [the Supreme Deity, Creator of all]. word study 8 For I tell you that Christ [Jesus, the Messiah] has become a servant [minister, attendant] of the circumcised [Jews, those who practice circumcision] on behalf of God’s [the one true deity] truth [reality, faithfulness], to confirm [establish, guarantee] the promises [commitments, assurances] made to the patriarchs [fathers, ancestors], word study 9 so that the Gentiles [non-Jewish nations, foreigners] may glorify [praise and honor, give reverence to] God [the one true deity, Creator] for His mercy [kindness, pity, compassion]. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise [confess, give thanks to] You among the Gentiles [nations, people]; I will sing [make music] hymns to Your name [character, authority, reputation].” word study 10 Again [once more, and also], it says: “Rejoice [celebrate, be joyful], O Gentiles [nations, non-Jewish people], with [together with, among] His [the Lord’s, God’s] people [nation, those belonging to Him].” word study 11 And again [once more, as before]: “Praise [extol, magnify] the Lord [God, Master], all you Gentiles [nations, non-Jews], and extol [praise, laud] Him, all you peoples [nations, groups of people].” word study 12 And once more [again, one more time], Isaiah [the prophet] says: “The Root [source, origin] of Jesse [the father of King David] will appear [be revealed, come into view], One who will arise [stand up, rise to power] to rule [reign, have authority] over the Gentiles [nations, non-Jewish people]; in Him [upon Jesus, in His person] the Gentiles [nations, people] will put their hope [trust, confidence, expectation].” word study 13 Now may the God [of promise and covenant] of hope fill you with all joy [and deep happiness] and peace [inner tranquility and harmony] as you believe [trust and have faith] in Him, so that you may overflow [abound and be filled to the fullest] with hope [confident expectation] by the power [miraculous ability and strength] of the Holy [set apart and sanctified] Spirit. word study 14 I myself [am persuaded, convinced] am convinced, my brothers [fellow believers, brethren], that you yourselves [also, indeed] are full [complete, filled] of goodness [virtue, kindness], brimming [filled, replenished] with knowledge [understanding, spiritual insight], and able [having power, capable] to instruct [teach, admonish] one another [each other, mutually]. word study 15 However, I have written [more boldly, with greater confidence] you a bold reminder [to put you in mind, as a reminder] on some points [in part, as a partial reminder], because of the [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] God [the Supreme Being, Creator] has given [bestowed, granted] me [to me, as a gift] word study 16 to be a minister [servant, priest] of Christ Jesus [the Messiah, God’s anointed] to the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations] in the priestly service [sacred ministry, spiritual worship] of the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering [sacrifice, gift] acceptable [well-received, approved] to God, sanctified [made holy, set apart] by the Holy Spirit [the divine Presence, God’s breath]. word study 17 Therefore [then, as a consequence] I exult [have pride, boast] in Christ [the Anointed One] Jesus [God’s salvation] in my service [work, ministry] to God [the one true deity, Creator]. word study 18 I will not [dare to] presume to speak of anything except what Christ [the Anointed One] has accomplished [worked out, brought to pass] through me [as His instrument, by His power] in leading the Gentiles [non-Jewish nations, foreigners] to obedience [submission, surrender] by word [spoken message, proclamation] and deed [action, demonstration], word study 19 by the power [in the virtue, through mighty] of signs [tokens, indications] and wonders [marvels, supernatural events], and by the power [strength, ability] of the Spirit [breath, vital principle] of God [the one true deity]. So from Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine] all the way around [surrounding, in a circle] to Illyricum [a region in Europe], I have fully [completely, to the fullest extent] proclaimed [preached, shared] the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of Christ [the anointed, Messiah]. word study 20 In this way [thus, like this] I have aspired [strived, made it my aim] to preach [speak good news, proclaim] the gospel [the good news of salvation] where Christ [the Anointed One, Jesus] was not known [not named, not previously announced], so that I would not be building [constructing, establishing] on someone else’s [another’s, a different person’s] foundation [base, starting point]. word study 21 Rather [on the contrary, but as it is written], as it is written [in the Scriptures, according to prophecy]: “Those who were not told [had not heard, without knowledge] about Him [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] will see [perceive, understand], and those who have not heard [been informed, had no news] will understand [comprehend, have insight].” word study 22 That is why [for this reason, therefore] I have often [many times, frequently] been hindered [impeded, blocked] from coming [to go, to visit] to you [toward you, with you]. word study 23 But now [at this present time, in the current circumstances] that there are no further opportunities [no more place, no longer any space] for me in these regions [parts of the world, areas of ministry], and since I have longed [had a great desire, intense longing] for many years [a number of years, several years] to visit [come to, go to] you [to be with you, to see you], word study 24 I hope [to expect with confidence] to see you on my way [as I travel through, during my journey] to Spain [the region in Europe]. And after I have enjoyed [been filled with joy, satisfied with] your company [fellowship, time together] for a while, you can equip [help, provide for] me for my journey [travel, trip] [to be brought on my way, assisted]. word study 25 Now [at this present time, in the current circumstances], however, I am on my way [traveling, journeying] to Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine, a city of great spiritual significance] to serve [minister, attend to the needs of] the saints [holy ones, set apart for God] there [in that place, among them]. word study 26 For Macedonia [a region in Greece] and Achaia [a region in ancient Greece] were pleased [it hath pleased them, delighted] to make a contribution [a certain distribution, a financial gift] for the poor [those who are in need, crouching and cowering] among the saints [holy ones, set apart] in Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine, a holy city]. word study 27 They were pleased [it hath pleased them verily, delighted] to do it, and indeed they owe [are debtors] it to them. For if the Gentiles [nations, non-Jewish people] have shared [been made partakers, participated] in their spiritual [non-carnal, supernatural] blessings, they are obligated [ought to, have a duty] to minister [serve, provide for] to them with material [fleshly, earthly] blessings. word study 28 So after I have completed [finished, accomplished] this service [task, ministry] and have safely delivered [sealed, consigned] this bounty [fruit, contribution] to them, I will set off [go away, depart] to Spain [the region, the nation] by way of [through, because of] you. word study 29 I know [am certain, have spiritual insight] that when I come [arrive, visit] to you, I will come [come in person, arrive] in the fullness [abundance, completion] of the blessing [praise, benediction] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah]. word study 30 Now I urge [plead with, comfort] you, brothers [fellow Christians, siblings in faith], by our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] and by the love [unconditional affection, charity] of the Spirit [the Holy Breath, divine presence], to join me [strive together, labor with] in my struggle [conflict, trial] by praying [petitioning, interceding] to God [the Supreme Deity, Creator] for me [on my behalf, in my favor]. word study 31 Pray that I may be delivered [rescued, saved from harm] from the unbelievers [those who do not believe, disobedient ones] in Judea [a region in southern Palestine], and that my service [ministry, work of helping others] in Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine, a holy city] may be acceptable [well-received, approved] to the saints [holy ones, set apart for God] there, word study 32 so that by God’s [divine] will [desire, intention] I may come [arrive, go] to you [to your presence, with you] with joy [deep and lasting happiness] and together [in company, with one another] with you [among you, in your midst] be refreshed [rest, find rest, be revitalized]. word study 33 The [this specific] God [the one true deity] of [a state of] peace [harmony and prosperity] be with [in accompaniment and fellowship] all [every single one] of you [as His beloved people]. Amen [so be it and may it be confirmed]. word study