RomansChapter 15

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We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

For Christ did not please himself; rather, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus,

so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I tell you that Christ became a servant of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."

And again it says: "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."

And again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him."

And again Isaiah says: "The root of Jesse will come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

Still, I have written to you rather boldly on some points, to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

So in Christ Jesus I have reason to boast in my work for God.

For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,

by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

My ambition has always been to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation,

but as it is written: "Those who were never told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."

This is why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.

But now, since there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since for many years I have longed to visit you,

I hope to see you as I pass through on my way to Spain, and to have you send me on my way there, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Right now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there.

For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they owe it to them to be of service in material blessings.

So after I have completed this task and made sure they have safely received this fruit of the collection, I will go on to Spain by way of you.

And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.

The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

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Summary2

Chapter 15

Main Theme: Paul exhorts unity between strong and weak believers, describes his ministry to the Gentiles, and shares his travel plans.

Content: Those who are strong in faith should bear the weaknesses of the weak, following Christ's example, so that the church may glorify God with one mind and one mouth. Paul describes his calling as apostle to the Gentiles and his goal to preach the gospel where Christ has not yet been named. He plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain, but must first bring a collection to the poor saints in Jerusalem. He asks for prayer for protection and that his ministry may be well received.

Key Words/Images:

Bear weaknesses (v.1): The strong have a duty to support the weak in faith, not merely seek their own satisfaction.
God of hope (v.13): God gives joy, peace, and overflowing hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gentile offering (v.16): Paul views his ministry as priestly—the Gentiles become a holy offering to God.
The collection (vv.26–27): The gift from Macedonia and Achaia for Jerusalem demonstrates mutual fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers.
God of peace (v.33): The chapter concludes with a blessing of God's peace over the church.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Romans 15

People

Jesse (Ἰεσσαί) is mentioned in verse 12 as the root that will stand as a banner for the nations. Jesse was David’s father, living in Bethlehem, and this reference quotes Isaiah 11:10. In Jewish messianic expectation, "the shoot from Jesse" was an established title for the coming Messiah, who would come from David’s royal line. Paul uses this image to show that the inclusion of the Gentiles among God’s people was foretold in the Scriptures.

Places

Illyricum (Ἰλλυρικόν) is mentioned in verse 19 as the western boundary of Paul’s missionary work. Illyricum was a Roman province along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, roughly where today’s Albania, Montenegro, and coastal Croatia are located. The fact that Paul had preached "from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum" shows the scope of his mission in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Archaeological findings confirm extensive Roman presence in the area, with important trade routes and port cities.

Spain (Σπανία) is mentioned in verses 24 and 28 as Paul’s planned destination. Spain represented the westernmost edge of the known world for Romans and was a wealthy province known for mining and trade. Paul’s desire to go there shows his vision of bringing the gospel to "the ends of the earth." Historically, we cannot be certain whether Paul ever reached Spain; Clement of Rome (around 96 AD) suggests that he did, but this is debated.

Macedonia (Μακεδονία) and Achaia (Ἀχαΐα) are mentioned in verse 26 as donors to the collection for Jerusalem. Macedonia was the northern part of the Greek mainland with cities such as Philippi and Thessalonica, while Achaia was the southern part with Corinth as its capital. These provinces had established congregations founded by Paul during his second missionary journey.

Events and Customs

The Collection for the Poor in Jerusalem (verses 25–28) was a central project in Paul’s ministry. This collection had both practical and symbolic meaning: it was meant to relieve hardship among believers in Jerusalem, but also to demonstrate unity between Gentile and Jewish Christian congregations. In ancient times, such gifts between cities were well known—benefactors and cities sent aid during famines or disasters. Paul gives this practice theological significance: the Gentiles "owe" (ὀφειλέται, verse 27) a share of material blessings because they have shared in Israel’s spiritual riches.

The Patron-Client System is implied in verse 24, where Paul expresses hope to be "sent on his way" (προπεμφθῆναι) by the congregation in Rome. This Greek verb involves practical support for travelers—food, money, companionship, and letters of recommendation. In Roman culture, such support was part of a social network of mutual obligations, and Paul seeks to establish Rome as a base for his western mission.

Key Terms

Λειτουργός (leitourgos) in verse 16, translated "servant," was originally a Greek term for someone who performed public service at their own expense for the good of the city. In the Septuagint, it is used for priestly service. Paul combines this with ἱερουργέω (hierourgeō)—"to perform priestly service"—to describe his gospel preaching as a holy offering in which converted Gentiles are themselves the gift presented to God.

Οἱ δυνατοί / οἱ ἀδύνατοι (the strong / the weak) in verse 1 refers to a concrete tension in the early church between those who felt free regarding food and holy days, and those who felt bound by Jewish customs. "Strength" here refers to confidence in the freedom of faith, not moral superiority.

Ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothymadon) in verse 6, meaning "with one mind" or "in harmony," was a term used for political unity in Greek city-states. Luke often uses it in Acts to describe the unity of the church. Here it emphasizes Paul’s vision that Jews and Gentiles together should praise God "with one mouth."

People3

Isaiah1 Jesus3 Jesse1

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