Romans 15

Paul finishes his teaching on how strong and weak believers should live together, pointing to Christ, who put others first and welcomed us. He shows that the gospel brings Jews and Gentiles into one praising family. Then he shares his own mission plans, his coming trip to Jerusalem with a gift for the poor, and his request for prayer.

Romans 15:1

Those with a firmer, more settled conscience are not to use that strength for their own comfort. They are to carry the weight of those who struggle. Strength is given to serve, not to win arguments or live as we like.

BSA: bear (“carry, support”): The strong are to pick up the burden of the weak and carry it with them, not just put up with it from a distance.

Greek: ὀφείλομεν (opheilomen, G3784) — “we owe, we are in debt.” The word behind ‘ought’ is the language of debt. Paul says the strong owe this help to the weak, so it is more than a kindness left to our choice.

See also: Galatians 6:2.

Romans 15:2

Pleasing a neighbor does not mean flattering him or going along with anything. It means aiming at his real good, so that he grows stronger in faith. Every believer has a share in this, and Paul says ’each of us’.

BSA: build (“edify, construct spiritually”): Our dealings with others should work like construction, adding to their faith and not tearing it down.

See also: 1 Corinthians 10:24.

Romans 15:3

Christ is the great example. He lived for His Father and for us, and He took on Himself the scorn that people aimed at God. Paul quotes the psalm to show that the Messiah chose a costly road of love, not ease.

BSA: fallen (“been laid, come to rest”): The insults that belonged to others came down and settled on Jesus, who bore them in their place.

See also: Psalm 69:9; Philippians 2:5-8.

Romans 15:4

The Old Testament was not written only for people long ago. God meant it to teach us now. Through its steady lessons and its comfort, our hearts are held up while we wait, and hope grows.

BSA: endurance (“perseverance, patiently waiting”): The Scriptures help us keep going through hard times and not give up while we wait for God.

Greek: ὑπομονῆς (hypomonēs, G5281) — “remaining under, steadfast endurance.” The word pictures staying put under a heavy load instead of running from it. It is brave, active steadiness, not just passive waiting.

See also: 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Romans 15:5-6

Paul turns teaching into prayer. God is the source of both endurance and comfort, and He can give believers a shared mind. The goal is not sameness on every point but a united praise, with many people speaking to the Father as with one voice.

BSA: harmony (“to be likeminded, in full agreement”): Paul prays for a shared outlook centered on Christ, where believers think in the same direction.

Greek: τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν (to auto phronein, G3588) — “to think the same thing, to share one mindset.” This is about a shared way of thinking and caring, not just agreeing on opinions. It describes a united heart set on Christ.

Romans 15:7

This is the center of the passage. Christ welcomed us when we had nothing to offer, and that is the pattern for how believers treat each other. When we receive one another warmly, God is honored.

BSA: Accept (“welcome, receive with open hearts”): The welcome Paul asks for is warm and personal, like a host opening his home, not a cold tolerance.

Greek: προσλαμβάνεσθε (proslambanesthe, G4355) — “take to yourselves, welcome.” It means to take someone in close, as a friend or guest. Christ did that for us, and we are to do the same for fellow believers.

See also: Romans 14:1.

Romans 15:8-9

Jesus came as a servant to the Jewish people, showing that God keeps His word to Abraham and the patriarchs. That faithfulness opens the way for the nations to praise God for His mercy. Both groups have reason to give glory to God.

BSA: servant (“minister, attendant”): The King of glory took the place of one who serves, and His service confirmed God’s promises. confirm (“establish, guarantee”): Christ’s coming made God’s old promises certain and settled.

Greek: διάκονον (diakonon, G1249) — “servant, one who waits on others.” This is the word for a table servant or attendant. Paul uses it for Christ Himself, which gives a humbling picture of the Messiah.

See also: Psalm 18:49; Genesis 12:3.

Romans 15:10-11

Paul strings together verses from the Law and the Psalms. They show that God always meant the nations to join in worship alongside His people. Gentile praise was part of the plan from the start and was not an afterthought.

See also: Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1.

Romans 15:12

Isaiah promised a coming king from David’s father Jesse, who would rule the nations. Jesus is that king. The nations will not only be ruled by Him but will also place their hope in Him.

BSA: Root (“source, origin”): The Messiah springs from David’s family line, yet He is also the one from whom the hope of the nations grows.

See also: Isaiah 11:10.

Romans 15:13

Paul closes this teaching with a prayer. God is the source of hope, and He gives joy and peace as we trust Him. The result is hope that spills over, and the Holy Spirit supplies the power for it.

BSA: overflow (“abound and be filled to the fullest”): Hope is meant to fill a life to the brim and run over to others.

Greek: περισσεύειν (perisseuein, G4052) — “to abound, to be more than enough.” It describes a cup that keeps filling past its rim. God’s supply of hope is more than we need for ourselves.

See also: Romans 5:5.

Romans 15:14

Paul speaks kindly to the Roman believers. He is sure they are good, well taught, and able to counsel one another. His next words of correction are not meant as an insult but as a friendly reminder.

BSA: instruct (“teach, admonish”): Believers are able to gently correct and guide each other, not just receive teaching from leaders.

Romans 15:15-16

Paul explains why he has spoken so plainly in this letter. God gave him a special calling as a minister to the Gentiles. He pictures himself as a priest, and the Gentiles who believe are the offering he presents, made holy by the Spirit.

BSA: offering (“sacrifice, gift”): Converted Gentiles are the gift Paul brings to God, set apart and pleasing to Him.

Greek: ἱερουργοῦντα (hierourgounta, G2418) — “working as a priest, performing sacred service.” Paul borrows temple language. Preaching the gospel is his sacred duty, and the people who believe are like the sacrifice laid on the altar.

See also: Romans 12:1.

Romans 15:17-19

Paul’s only boast is in what Christ has done through him. People have come to obey God through his words and his deeds, with miracles and the Spirit’s power. His work has stretched from Jerusalem in a wide arc to Illyricum, near the Adriatic Sea.

BSA: accomplished (“worked out, brought to pass”): Christ is the real worker, and Paul is only the instrument through whom He acts.

See also: 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Romans 15:20-21

Paul’s ambition is to take the gospel to places where Christ’s name has never been heard, rather than build on another man’s work. He sees this pattern in Isaiah, where those who had never been told about the Servant come to see and understand.

BSA: foundation (“base, starting point”): Paul wants to lay the first foundation in new places, not add to a building someone else started.

Greek: φιλοτιμούμενον (philotimoumenon, G5389) — “making it my honorable ambition.” The word means loving to do something well and honorably. Paul’s drive to reach the unreached is a holy ambition, not selfish pride.

See also: Isaiah 52:15.

Romans 15:22-24

Paul’s work in the east kept him from visiting Rome, though he longed to go for years. Now he hopes to pass through on his way to Spain, enjoy their fellowship, and have them send him on with practical help.

BSA: equip (“help, provide for”): Paul asks the Romans to be partners in his mission by supporting his journey.

Greek: προπεμφθῆναι (propemphthēnai, G4311) — “to be sent forward on a journey.” The word means being escorted and supplied for the next stage of travel. Paul invites the Romans into partnership with his mission.

Romans 15:25-27

Before heading west, Paul must go to Jerusalem with a gift from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for the poor believers there. The Gentiles received spiritual blessings through the Jewish believers, so giving material help is a glad way to repay them.

BSA: contribution (“a financial gift”): The gift was real money meant to meet real needs among the poor believers.

Greek: κοινωνίαν (koinōnian, G2842) — “fellowship, sharing, partnership.” The word translated ‘contribution’ usually means fellowship. Paul sees this gift as a sign of shared life between Gentile and Jewish believers.

See also: 2 Corinthians 9:12; Galatians 2:10.

Romans 15:28-29

Once he has safely handed over the gift, Paul will travel on to Spain by way of Rome. He is confident that he will arrive carrying a full measure of Christ’s blessing. His hope is to bless them, and he trusts Christ to do it.

BSA: fullness (“abundance, completion”): Paul expects Christ’s blessing to come in rich abundance when he meets them.

Romans 15:30-31

Paul asks the Romans to pray hard for him. He is worried about hostile unbelievers in Judea. He also hopes the Jerusalem believers will gladly receive the gift. Even a great apostle depends on the prayers of ordinary believers.

BSA: struggle (“conflict, trial”): Paul sees his coming trip as a real fight that needs the church’s prayer behind it.

Greek: συναγωνίσασθαι (synagōnisasthai, G4865) — “to struggle together with.” This word comes from the one that gives us ‘agony’. Prayer is pictured as joining Paul in the contest, not watching from the sidelines.

See also: Acts 24:17.

Romans 15:32

Paul wants his coming to Rome to happen only if God wills it. If it does, he hopes to arrive with joy and to be refreshed in their company. His plans are held openly in God’s hands.

BSA: refreshed (“be revitalized”): Time with fellow believers will renew Paul’s strength after a hard road.

Romans 15:33

Paul ends the main body of the letter with a blessing. The God who makes peace with us and between us is with every believer in Rome, strong and weak, Jew and Gentile. That gives the reader a settled peace.

BSA: peace (“harmony and prosperity”): God’s peace is wholeness and well-being, not just the absence of trouble.

See also: Romans 16:20.