Romans 15:18-33

15:18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order to bring about the obedience ¹  of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 15:19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem even as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 15:20 And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation, 15:21 but as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” ² 

Paul’s Intention of Visiting the Romans

15:22 This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you. 15:23 But now there is nothing more to keep me ³  in these regions, and I have for many years desired ⁴  to come to you 15:24 when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me ⁵  on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

15:25 But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 15:27 For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. ⁶  For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things. 15:28 Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them, ⁷  I will set out for Spain by way of you, 15:29 and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ’s blessing.

15:30 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ⁸  through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. 15:31 Pray ⁹  that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 15:32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 15:33 Now may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen. ¹⁰ 

¹ tn Grk “unto obedience.”

² sn A quotation from Isa 52:15.

³ tn Grk “now no longer having a place…I have.”

⁴ tn Grk “but having a desire…for many years.”

⁵ tn Grk “and to be helped by you.” The passive construction was changed to an active one in the translation.

⁶ tn Grk “to them”; the referent (the Jerusalem saints) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn Grk “have sealed this fruit to them.”

⁸ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:13.

⁹ tn Verses 30-31 form one long sentence in the Greek but have been divided into two distinct sentences for clarity in English.

¹⁰ tc Some mss lack the word “Amen” here, one of them (Ì⁴⁶) also inserting 16:25-27 at this point. See the tc note at 16:25 for more information.