Romans 15:1-11

Context

Exhortation for the Strong to Help the Weak

15:1 But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.¹ 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up. 15:3 For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”² 15:4 For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. 15:5 Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another³ in accordance with Christ Jesus, 15:6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Exhortation to Mutual Acceptance

15:7 Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory. 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised⁴ on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers,⁵ 15:9 and thus the Gentiles glorify God for his mercy.⁶ As it is written, “Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.”⁷ 15:10 And again it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”⁸ 15:11 And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.”⁹

[15:1] ¹tn Grk “and not please ourselves.” NT Greek negatives used in contrast like this are often not absolute, but relative: “not so much one as the other.”

[15:3] ²sn A quotation from Ps 69:9.

[15:5] ³tn Grk “grant you to think the same among one another.”

[15:8] ⁴tn Grk “of the circumcision”; that is, the Jews.

[15:8] ⁵tn Or “to the patriarchs.”

[15:9] ⁶tn There are two major syntactical alternatives which are both awkward: (1) One could make “glorify” dependent on “Christ has become a minister” and coordinate with “to confirm” and the result would be rendered “Christ has become a minister of circumcision to confirm the promises…and so that the Gentiles might glorify God.” (2) One could make “glorify” dependent on “I tell you” and coordinate with “Christ has become a minister” and the result would be rendered “I tell you that Christ has become a minister of circumcision…and that the Gentiles glorify God.” The second rendering is preferred.

[15:9] ⁷sn A quotation from Ps 18:49.

[15:10] ⁸sn A quotation from Deut 32:43.

[15:11] ⁹sn A quotation from Ps 117:1.