The Grace Commentary – Your free verse-by-verse Bible commentary Romans 15

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Romans 15:1

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

(a) We who are strong. To be strong in faith is to be certain about the grace of the Lord. In context, Paul is referring to people who share his views that what we eat or drink will not bring us closer to God (1 Cor. 8:8). Who are these strong Christians? They are probably Gentile Christians who had heard the gospel from Paul and had since moved to Rome.

(b) Bear the weaknesses. Accept and embrace those who are weak in faith (Rom. 14:1). If a Christian brother or sister does not understand your freedom in Christ, limit your freedom so as not to offend or drive them away. Don’t flaunt your freedom to eat meat in front of believers who, for reasons of conscience, choose to be vegetarian (see entry for Rom. 14:2).

(c) Not just please ourselves. Live for others. Help those who are weak in faith to grow in grace. Follow the example of Christ and identify with them in their weaknesses (see verse 3).

Romans 15:2

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

(a) Please his neighbor. Consider the well-being of other people, both inside and outside the church.

(b) His good… his edification. Instead of belittling those who are still dealing with religious baggage, do what you can to build them up in the Lord. Start by accepting them (Rom. 14:1). Meet them where they are and show them grace. Pursue the things which make for peace and defer to them (Rom. 12:10, 14:19). “With humility of mind regard them as more important than yourself” (Php. 2:3). Don’t push your convictions on them but reveal the selfless love of Christ to them. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them in his righteous paths.

(c) Edification. The original noun oikodomē means “building.” (It is made up of two words that mean “house” (oikos) and “structure” (domē).) It is the same word Paul uses at the end of the last chapter when he encourages us to pursue those things that lead to the “building up of one another” (Rom. 14:19).

Romans 15:3

For even Christ did not please himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

(a) Christ did not please himself. Look what Christ did for us. In the name of love, he left the comforts of heaven to rescue us from our sin. He laid aside his power and took the form of a servant to save us (Php. 2:6–8).

(b) It is written. The “reproaches” quote comes from Psalm 69:9.

(c) Reproaches. The disgrace of our sin fell on Christ. On the cross, he who was without sin bore our sin and shame (Heb. 9:24, 12:2).

Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

(a) Whatever was written. The Old Testament scriptures were written for our benefit. They are part of our spiritual heritage.

(b) Perseverance and encouragement come from God (see next verse). One of the ways God encourages us is through the Scriptures. The promises of God and the stories of his deliverance strengthen us and fill us with hope.

(c) The Scriptures are the Hebrew Scriptures, a.k.a. the Old Testament, which contain the Law of Moses, the Psalms, and the prophets. In these scriptures, we find the “rich root” that supports us, namely the promises and gifts God gave to the patriarchs of Israel and their descendants (Rom. 11:17–18). The stories and promises of the Old Testament encourage us. They help us appreciate all that God has done for us.

(d) We might have hope. Hope does not come from hardship and suffering. Hope comes from a revelation of the God of hope (Rom. 15:13).

(e) Hope is a confident expectation of the future; see entry for Rom. 15:13.

Romans 15:5

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

(a) God who gives perseverance and encouragement. God gives us the ability to endure by revealing more of his love to us. The love of God endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7). As we rest in his love, we endure.

(b) Same mind. Have the attitude as Christ, who put our needs before his own (verse 3).

At first glance, this seems a strange request. If we all had the same mind, there would be no disagreements about what we should eat and drink. Paul would not have needed to write the previous chapter. Paul is not saying he expects Christians to agree on everything. He is saying, “Let the love of Christ that unites you be greater than the differences that might divide you.” Christ did not judge and condemn the people he met. He loved them. In the same way, we are to bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2, Col. 3:13).

Romans 15:6

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

(a) With one accord… with one voice. “May you worship God with united hearts.”

There is one body and one Spirit (Eph. 4:4), but there is not always one voice. Quarrels and strife over minor issues lead to discord within the church. This happened in Antioch (see Gal. 2:11–13) and Corinth (1 Cor. 1:11–13). Paul prays that it will not happen in Rome.

(b) Lord; see entry for Rom. 1:4.

Romans 15:7

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

(a) Accept one another just as they are, and don’t try and fix them. Changing people is the Lord’s job, not yours. Only the grace of God can bring lasting transformation.

Just as we love and forgive others as Christ loved and forgave us (John 15:12, Eph. 4:32), we accept others as Christ accepted us. We don’t judge, condemn, or express disapproval, and we don’t withdraw our love. We don’t hold grudges, and we don’t take each other to court (1 Cor. 6:1–7). We accept one another regardless of differences in culture, status, politics, or gender, for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

(b) To the glory of God. When we accept fellow believers with the acceptance Christ has shown us, it results in praise and honor to God the Father.

(c) Glory. The original noun (doxa) means majesty, magnificence, splendor, preeminence, and exalted. See entry for Rom. 1:23.

Romans 15:8

For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

(a) Christ has become a servant. Jesus the Messiah came as a servant to the Jews in fulfillment of the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

(b) “The circumcision” refers to the circumcised Jews as opposed to the uncircumcised Gentiles (Gal. 2:9).

(c) On behalf of the truth. Christ came in response to the faithfulness of God. If God’s promises had depended on Israel’s faithfulness, Christ would never have come. His coming proves that God is true and trustworthy.

(d) The promises given to the fathers, or patriarchs, were fulfilled in Christ. Through Jesus the Messiah, the Jews were the first to hear about God’s plan of salvation (Rom. 1:16). They heard the good news in their own language, proclaimed in their synagogues and homes.

Romans 15:9–11

and for the Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,
“Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name.” Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.”

(a) And for the Gentiles. Paul has already mentioned that Christ came for the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Rom. 3:29, 9:24, 11:11). Now, he quotes several Old Testament scriptures to show that God always intended to include the Gentiles in his rescue plan.

(b) Mercy. Compassion; see entry for Rom. 11:32.

(c) It is written. The first quote (“I will give praise”) comes from David’s Song of Deliverance, which is recorded in Psalm 18:49 and 2 Samuel 22:50. The second (“Rejoice, O Gentiles”) comes from Deuteronomy 32:43. The third (“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles”) comes from Psalm 117:1.

Romans 15:12

Again Isaiah says,
“There shall come the root of Jesse, and he who arises to rule over the Gentiles,
In him shall the Gentiles hope.”

(a) Isaiah says. The quote comes from Isaiah 11:10.

(b) The root of Jesse. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be descended from Jesse, the father of King David. Jesus Christ is known as “the root of Jesse” and “the root of David” (Rev. 5:5, 22:16). He is a new branch growing from the royal root of David’s line.

(c) In him shall the Gentiles hope. To the Jews, the Messiah was “the hope of Israel” (Jer. 14:8), but Isaiah foretold that he would be the hope of the nations. Jesus is the hope of the world. He is the reason we can have a confident expectation of salvation, restoration, and eternal life. For good reason, Paul refers to “Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1).

Paul begins to close his letter with a magnificent benediction (see next verse).

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(a) The God of hope. God is the source of, and the reason for our hope.

To be without God in this world is to be without hope (Eph. 2:12). But with God, there are no hopeless situations because nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37). With God, you are never too far gone, never beyond the reach of his mighty arm.

(b) Hope is a confident expectation of the future, a vision of a brighter tomorrow.

Hope is a rope that links us to a truth not yet experienced, and there is no greater Truth to which you can affix your hope rope than your heavenly Father. “On him, we have set our hope” (2 Cor. 1:10). The God of hope will never let you down.

You’ll never walk by faith unless you’re walking by hope, and you’ll never walk in hope unless you’re walking in your Father’s love. Faith, hope, and love go together, but the greatest of these is love. Without the Father’s love, there is no hope. But when you know his love, you will be full of hope.

Further reading: “The Gospel of Hope”

(c) Fill you with all joy and peace. Your heavenly Father doesn’t want you to be miserable and anxious; he wants you to be full of joy and peace. In whatever situation you are facing, he wants you to have the supernatural hope, gladness, and peace that come from knowing him.

(d) Joy and peace come from trusting in the God of hope. As we get settled in his promises, our hearts and minds are flooded with a confident assurance that God is greater than any trial we may face.

(e) Abound in hope. Mature believers are full of hope. They look to the future with optimism because they are resting in the unwavering faithfulness of God.

(f) Power of the Holy Spirit. “The power of the Holy Spirit” answers the question, “How can we have hope in an uncertain world?” The mighty Holy Spirit is your Helper and Guide. He gives life to the dead and hope to the hopeless. With the Holy Spirit on your side, how can you lose?

Romans 15:14

And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

(a) My brethren. “My dear brothers and sisters in Rome.” Paul will name some of these men and women in the next chapter.

(b) Full of goodness. Paul tactfully praises the believers in Rome. The Romans undoubtedly had flaws, yet Paul does not rebuke nor scold them. This was not his church, after all, and he did not know them as well as the churches he had planted.

(c) Filled with all knowledge. The religious Jews lacked knowledge (Rom. 10:2), but the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome were filled with the knowledge of Christ.

(d) Able also to admonish one another. We are not to judge our brothers and sisters, but as mature, caring believers, we can instruct and build up one another.

(e) Admonish. Instruct. The original verb noutheteō means “to put in mind” or “call attention to.” We instruct each other in the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17, Col. 3:16). We call attention to what Christ has done and what we can do because of what he has done.

Romans 15:15

But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,

(a) I have written very boldly. “I have proclaimed the high points of the gospel including the unconditional love of God (Rom. 5:5, 8, 8:35, 37–39), the righteousness of God (Rom. 1:17, 5:17–18), and justification by faith (Rom. 3:26, 28).” Thank God for bold, clear preachers like Paul, who leave us in no doubt about the goodness and grace of God.

(b) Because of the grace that was given me. “I reminded you of these things because God has called me to minister to the Gentiles” (see next verse). Paul did not see himself as an itinerant minister popping into churches, preaching his favorite sermon, and leaving. He was a master builder, laying deep foundations that would stand the test of time (1 Cor. 3:10).

Romans 15:16

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

(a) Minister. The original noun leitourgos, which is sometimes translated as “servant” (e.g., Rom. 13:6), means “to serve in an official capacity.”

(b) Christ Jesus; see entry for Rom. 1:1.

(c) Ministering as a priest. The original verb hierourgeō can be translated as “to serve as a temple official.” Paul uses old covenant imagery to illustrate a new covenant purpose. As a minister of Christ Jesus, he serves by proclaiming the gospel of God, bringing the Gentiles to him as an acceptable and holy offering.

(d) The gospel of God reveals the righteousness of God; see entry for Rom. 1:1.

(e) Gentiles. Non-Jews; see entry for Rom. 1:5.

(f) Acceptable. The original adjective euprosdektos means “well-received” or “received favorably.” What causes us to be well-received by God? It is not how many hours we pray or how many people we evangelize. It is faith in his Son (Gal. 2:16, 3:26, Php. 3:9).

(g) Sanctified. To be sanctified is to be made holy or whole. In union with Christ the Holy One you are holy and complete (Col. 2:10). We were sanctified by the Spirit of Christ when we put our faith in Christ (Acts 26:18).

(h) The Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Christ; see entry for Rom. 5:5.

Romans 15:17

Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

(a) Reason for boasting. We don’t boast in our works (Rom. 3:27), but Paul had good reasons for boasting “in Christ Jesus.” The Lord had turned him around and sent him to minister to the Gentiles and then confirmed his message with signs and wonders (Rom. 15:19, 2 Cor. 12:12). It was the Lord who made Paul’s ministry so fruitful.

(b) Things pertaining to God. Paul did not boast about himself or his accomplishments (of which there were many). He gave all the glory to God. He boasted about the Lord Jesus Christ and what the Lord had done (Gal. 6:14).

Romans 15:18

For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,

(a) I will not presume to speak of anything. Paul never boasts about how much he’s done for God because we can do nothing for God. He only spoke about what Christ had done through him and with him. He understood that it is only by God’s grace that we can bear lasting fruit.

(b) What Christ has accomplished through me. Paul told the Corinthians that his ministry was not based on wise or persuasive words but on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (1 Cor. 2:4). It is the Holy Spirit who heals the sick, raises the dead, and gives revelation to those who are in darkness.

(c) Obedience of the Gentiles. “They heeded the gospel.” The fruit of Paul’s ministry was this: idol-worshipers were turning to God and being delivered from bondage and fear.

(d) Gentiles. Non-Jews; see entry for Rom. 1:5.

(e) By word and deed. “By preaching and miracles.” Paul preached the good news, and the Lord confirmed the word with accompanying signs and wonders (Mark 16:20).

Romans 15:19

in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

(a) The power of signs and wonders. Paul’s gospel was backed up by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this is what drew people into the kingdom. Through his ministry, the sick were healed (e.g., Acts 14:8–10, 28:8), the oppressed set free (e.g., Acts 16:16–18, 19:11–12), and the dead were raised (e.g., Acts 20:9–10).

(b) The power of the Spirit. “It wasn’t me. It was God’s power working through me” (see Col. 1:29). Paul never misses an opportunity to draw our attention to the power of God; see entry for Rom. 1:16.

(c) Jerusalem, in Judea, was the birthplace of the New Testament church. After Stephen was martyred, many believers fled the city to escape persecution. However, the original apostles remained in Jerusalem, and it was there that Paul had first met them (Acts 8:1, 9:26–27).

(d) Illyricum was a Roman province on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Although there is no specific mention in scripture of Paul visiting this province, he may have crossed into southern Illyricum (modern-day Albania) on his travels between Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1–2). Timothy also visited Dalmatia in the southern part of Illyricum (2 Tim. 4:10).

(e) Fully preached. “I preached everywhere from Jerusalem to Illyricum.” Paul was not half-hearted in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. He was a true pioneer who traveled from city to neighboring city, telling people about the Risen Lord. He had already gone as far as Illyricum; he planned to go much further, even as far as Spain (verse 24).

(f) The gospel of Christ. In this letter, Paul refers to the gospel as the gospel of Christ, the gospel of God, and the gospel of his Son (Rom. 1:1, 9, 15:16, 19). These are all different names for the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). The gospel is the good news of God’s grace that has been revealed to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:20

And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

(a) Not where Christ was already named. Paul aimed to preach where the gospel had not been heard. He wanted to reach the unreached. But this did not mean he avoided preaching in cities where the gospel had been heard. He preached in several cities that had churches (e.g., Damascus (Acts 9:20), Jerusalem (Acts 9:28), and Antioch (Acts 11:26)), and he planned to preach in Rome (see verses 22–24).

(b) Preach the gospel. The original verb euangelizō means “proclaim good news or glad tidings.” See entry for Rom. 1:15.

(c) Another man’s foundation. Paul saw himself as a wise master builder laying foundations for others to build on (1 Cor. 3:10).

Romans 15:21

but as it is written,
“They who had no news of him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand.”

(a) It is written. The “have not heard” quote is most likely based on Isaiah 52:15.

(b) No news. Paul saw his ministry as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The Gentiles had never heard of Christ until people like him came and told them the good news.

Romans 15:22-23

For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;

(a) Prevented from coming. “I haven’t made it to Rome yet because I have been preaching in regions that have never heard the name of Jesus (verse 20). Now that I have finished doing this (verse 19), I will come and see you soon.”

(b) These regions. The places Paul had recently visited (e.g., Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece).

(c) Many years. Paul was a planner and had been thinking about visiting Rome and the western Mediterranean for a long time.

Romans 15:24

whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while—

(a) Spain represented the farthest edge of the Roman world.

Paul is in Corinth, traveling east to Jerusalem, but his heart’s desire is to go west to Spain. Did he ever get there? There is no evidence that he did. However, some of the early Church Fathers offered intriguing hints. Clement of Rome wrote that Paul “reached the farthest limits of the West” before his martyrdom (1 Clement 5:6). This phrase could refer to the western edge of the Roman Empire and possibly Spain.

(b) I hope to see you in passing. “I hope to see you on my way to Spain.”

(c) To be helped on my way there by you. Paul expected the churches he visited would help fund his onward travels (1 Cor. 16:6; 2 Cor. 1:16).

Romans 15:25

but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.

(a) To Jerusalem. Paul had been in Corinth in Greece for three months, but now it was time to head to Jerusalem (Acts 20:3, Rom. 16:23). Before he left Corinth, Paul penned a letter that would be carried to Rome by Phoebe (Rom. 16:1).

Paul initially planned to sail from Corinth to Syria, probably departing from the nearby port of Cenchrea. But after hearing about a plot by the Jews to assassinate him (something that could be more easily done in a busy port), he took the overland route into Macedonia. Eventually caught a boat home from Troas (Acts 20:3–13).

(b) Serving the saints. Years earlier, when he was commissioned to go to the Gentiles, Paul had been asked to “remember the poor” in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:10). It was a charge he was happy to keep.

This was not the first time Paul had taken funds to Jerusalem for the poor. On a previous visit, he and Barnabas brought money from the church in Antioch to aid those starving due to a famine (Acts 11:27–30).

Romans 15:26

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

(a) Macedonia was the mountainous region of northern Greece. After receiving his vision of a Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), Paul visited several cities in the region including Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 16:11–12, 17:1, 10). Paul returned to Philippi on a later trip through the region (Acts 20:6).

(b) Achaia was a Roman province spanning southern Greece. Its capital city was Corinth.

(c) Pleased to make a contribution. The churches in Macedonia (e.g., the Philippians and the Thessalonians) and Achaia (e.g., the Corinthians) had raised funds to support their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

(d) The poor among the saints. To be a Jewish believer in Jerusalem was a trial. Jews who no longer participated in temple rituals and sacrifices were oppressed and occasionally murdered (e.g., Acts 7:57–58, 8:1, 12:1–2). Denied opportunities to earn an income, they needed financial support and the Gentile churches were happy to provide it (1 Cor. 16:1–3).

(e) Jerusalem; see entry for Rom. 15:19.

Romans 15:27

Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

(a) Pleased to do so. Christians who have been apprehended by the abundant grace of a generous God are cheerful givers.

(b) Indebted to them. The Gentiles owe the Jews a debt of gratitude in two ways: First, the church is rooted in the promises and gifts God gave to the Jewish fathers (Rom. 11:18, 15:8). Second, it was Jews, like Peter, Philip, Paul, and Barnabas who first carried the gospel to the Gentiles.

(d) Spiritual things. The promises of God pertaining to salvation and blessing that were given to Israel are now offered to all.

(e) Material things. The original adjective sarkikos is related to the word for “flesh” (sarx). In context, Paul is talking about financial aid. “If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” (1 Cor. 9:11).

Romans 15:28

Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

(a) Put my seal on this fruit of theirs. “When I have signed off on my job of handing over these funds to the saints in Jerusalem.”

(b) Fruit. The original noun karpos is translated elsewhere as “profit” (e.g., Php. 4:17). The profit or fruit that comes from funding the gospel is people. People are the only things we can take with us into eternity. By supporting the church in Jerusalem, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia had a share in that work and any harvest that came from it.

It is not inconsistent with the message of grace to say, as Paul did, that we are rewarded for our labor. “The one who plants and the one who waters will receive a reward according to their labor” (1 Cor. 3:8). He might have added that those who fund the preaching of the gospel will also be rewarded. The rewards we get are the eternal friends we make.

Further reading: “What are heavenly treasures?”

(d) Spain; see entry for Rom. 15:24.

Romans 15:29

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

(a) The fullness of the blessing. “I trust that it will be a blessed time when I visit you. Let’s expect great things from God!”

(b) The blessing of Christ. Paul expected the Romans would experience all Christ paid for—salvations, healings, deliverance, and other blessings. All the blessings of heaven are ours in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

Romans 15:30

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

(a) Urge. Beseech, exhort, entreat, implore, invite. The original verb parakaleo is made up of two words that mean “call” (kaleo) and “near” (para). Paul is inviting the Roman believers to come alongside him in prayer.

(b) Brethren. “My dear brothers and sisters in Christ”; see entry for Rom. 1:13.

(d) Jesus Christ; see entry for Rom. 1:4.

(e) The love of the Spirit. The love we receive from God via the Holy Spirit is a love that moves us to pray for our brothers and sisters (Rom. 5:5).

(f) Strive together. The original verb synagōnizomai is made up of two words that mean “to struggle or contend” (agōnizomai) and “together with” (syn). Paul prayed earnestly for the churches (e.g., Col. 2:1) and hoped the Roman believers would pray for him.

Romans 15:31

that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;

(a) Rescued. Paul knew from experience that he could expect a hostile reception in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22–23). The first time he preached in the city, Greek-speaking Jews tried to kill him (Acts 9:28–29).

(b) Disobedient. The stubborn and disbelieving Jews of Jerusalem bitterly resented Paul. They regarded him as a traitor to their religion and accused him of leading Jews away from the Law of Moses (Acts 21:28).

(c) Judea was the Greco-Roman name for the land of Judah that lay between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. In New Testament times, Judea, or Judaea, was the name of the Roman province first ruled by military governors or prefects (from 6–41AD), then Herod Agrippa (41–44AD), and then a series of civilian governors or procurators (44–66AD).

(d) Jerusalem; see entry for Rom. 15:19.

(e) May prove acceptable. “Pray that the financial gift I carry will be well received by the believers in Jerusalem.” Sometimes, it is hard to receive gifts. Would the Jewish believers be reluctant to receive aid from their Gentile brethren? Paul prayed that they wouldn’t.

(f) Saints. Christians; see entry for Rom. 1:7.

Romans 15:32

so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.

Come to you in joy. Paul hoped that any visit to the church in Rome would be restful and a time of mutual encouragement (Rom. 1:11–12). However, when Paul eventually did come to Rome, he was in chains and placed under house arrest to await trial for his life (Acts 28:16, 20).

Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

(a) The God of peace. In a world troubled by fear and anxiety, God releases his shalom-peace. Peace does not come from ourselves. Peace comes from the God of peace, who releases peace and joy by revealing himself and his righteousness. When we proclaim the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), we reveal the way of peace (Luke 1:79), which leads us to the God of peace (Rom. 16:20, Php. 4:9, 1 Th. 5:23, Heb. 13:20), who gives us life and peace (Rom. 8:6).

Further reading: “How to have peace?”

(b) Amen or “so be it.” See entry for Rom. 1:25.

In the New Testament, the word amen typically concludes expressions of praise and prayers to God (Matt. 6:13, Rev. 7:12). See also the entry for Matt. 6:13.

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Romans 15