Follow Christ's Example of Selflessness
Study note
Those who are strong in faith have a responsibility to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not, rather than simply pleasing themselves. Paul points to Christ as the supreme example: he did not please himself but bore the insults of others. The Scriptures were written to give patience and encouragement, producing hope. Paul prays that God will help the Roman believers live in harmony with one another, following the example of Christ.
1 Those of us who have strong faith need to be patient with the weak spots of those who do not. We should not do whatever makes us happy. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Each of us should think about what is good for the people around us and do things that help them grow. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 Even Christ did not live to make himself comfortable. The scriptures say, 'The insults aimed at you landed on me instead.' For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 Everything that was written in the scriptures long ago was written to teach us. Through the patience and encouragement we find there, we can hold on to hope. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 May the God who gives patience and hope help all of you agree with each other. May you follow the example of Christ Jesus. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 Then, with one heart and one voice, you will bring glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ Unites Jews and Gentiles in Praise
Study note
Paul calls believers to accept one another as Christ accepted them. Christ became a servant to the Jews to confirm God's promises to the patriarchs, and he did this so that Gentiles might also glorify God for his mercy. Paul strings together four Old Testament quotations from the Law, Psalms, and Prophets to demonstrate that God always intended to include the Gentiles in his plan of salvation. He closes with a beautiful benediction: may the God of hope fill them with joy and peace.
7 So welcome one another with open arms, the same way Christ welcomed you. This brings glory to God. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Let me explain. Christ came as a servant to the Jewish people to prove God keeps his word. He came to make good on the promises God gave their ancestors. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 He also came so that non-Jewish people could praise God for his mercy. The scriptures say, 'Therefore I will praise you among the nations and sing songs to your name.' And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again the scriptures say, 'Celebrate, you nations, right alongside God's people.' And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And once more, 'Praise the Lord, all you nations! Let every people group praise him.' And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And Isaiah said, 'A descendant of Jesse will appear, and he will rise up to lead the nations. The nations will put their hope in him.' And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 May the God who gives hope fill you up completely with joy and peace as you keep trusting him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
Study note
Paul affirms the Roman believers' maturity while explaining his bold writing as part of his God-given calling as a minister to the Gentiles. He describes his priestly service of presenting the Gentiles as an offering acceptable to God. He has fully proclaimed the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum, always pioneering in unreached areas rather than building on another's foundation. He sees his work as fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about those who have not been told seeing and understanding.
14 I am personally confident about you, my friends. I believe you are full of goodness and loaded with knowledge, and that you are able to guide one another. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15 Still, I have been pretty bold in some parts of this letter, just to remind you of things you already know. I did it because of the special role God gave me. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 God's grace made me a servant of Christ Jesus to the non-Jewish world. My job is like a priest's job -- serving God's good news. I do it so that non-Jewish people become an offering that pleases God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 So in Christ Jesus, I have something to be proud of in my work for God. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 I would not dare talk about anything except what Christ has done through me to bring non-Jewish people to follow God. He did it through my words and actions, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 through powerful signs and amazing things, and through the power of God's Spirit. Starting from Jerusalem and going all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully shared the good news about Christ. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 My goal has always been to share the good news where no one has heard about Christ. I do not want to build on top of someone else's work. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
21 The scriptures said, 'People who were never told about him will see. People who never heard about him will understand.' But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
Paul's Travel Plans and Prayer Request
Study note
Paul explains why he has not yet visited Rome: his pioneering work elsewhere kept him busy. Now, with no more room in those regions, he plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain. First, however, he must deliver a financial gift from Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Jerusalem. He asks for their prayers that he will be delivered from unbelievers in Judea and that his service will be well received, so he can come to them in joy and find rest among them.
22 That is exactly why I have been held up so many times from coming to visit you. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now my work in this part of the world is done, and I have wanted to visit you for years. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 So when I travel to Spain, I plan to stop and see you along the way. After I have had a chance to enjoy being with you for a while, I hope you will help me continue on my journey. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 Right now, though, I am heading to Jerusalem to deliver help to the believers there. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 Believers in Macedonia and Achaia gladly gathered a gift. It was for the poor among God's people in Jerusalem. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 They were happy to do it, and they truly did owe it. Non-Jewish believers got to share in the spiritual blessings of the Jewish believers. So they should give back with things they can use. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 Once I finish delivering this gift safely, I will head to Spain and stop to see you on the way. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 I am sure that when I come, I will arrive carrying the full blessing of Christ's good news. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 I beg you, friends, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love the Spirit gives -- fight alongside me. Pray hard to God for me. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 Pray that I will be kept safe from the hostile people in Judea. And pray that the gift I am bringing to Jerusalem will be accepted gladly by the believers there. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judæa; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 Then, if God allows it, I can come to you with a happy heart, and we can refresh each other. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 May the God who brings peace be with every one of you. Amen. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.