English Standard Version
Romans 15:4
4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
- New International Version (NIV)For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Context of Romans 15:4
2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read all of Romans 15Romans 15:4 word by word
ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν ἐγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- whatsoever thingsὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- were written aforetime were writtenπρογράφωprographō · to write/designateG4270
- forεἰςeis · towardG1519
- ourἡμέτεροςhēmeteros · ourG2251
- learningδιδασκαλίαdidaskalia · teachingG1319
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- weἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- patienceὑπομονήhupomonē · perseveranceG5281
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- comfortπαράκλησιςparaklēsis · encouragementG3874
- of the scripturesγραφήgraphē · a writingG1124
- hopeἐλπίςelpis · hopeG1680
Cross-references for Romans 15:4
- Romans 4:23But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,
- 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
- 1 Corinthians 10:11Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
- 2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- 2 Peter 1:20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
- Romans 5:3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
- Romans 8:24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
- Romans 12:12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
- Psalms 119:81My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
- Hebrews 6:10For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
- Hebrews 10:35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
- James 5:7Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Commentaries on Romans 15:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For whatsoever things were written aforetime - This refers not only to the quotation from the 69th Psalm, but to all the Old Testament scriptures; for it can be to no other scriptures that the apostle alludes. And, from what he says here of them, we learn that God had not intended them merely for those generations in which they were first delivered, but for the instruction of all the succeeding generations of mankind. That we, through patience and comfort…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For whatsoever things - This is a “general” observation which struck the mind of the apostle, from the particular case which he had just specified. He had just made use of a striking passage in the Psalms to his purpose. The thought seems suddenly to have occurred to him that “all” the Old Testament was admirably adapted to express Christian duties and doctrine, and he therefore turned aside from his direct argument to express this sentiment. It should…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction: God caused everything in the Scriptures to be written for his purposes, to teach believers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning--"instruction" through, &c.--"through the comfort and the patience of the Scriptures" might have hope--that is, "Think not that because such portions of Scripture relate immediately to Christ, they are inapplicable to you; for though Christ's sufferings, as a Saviour, were exclusively His own, the motives that prompted them, the spirit in which they were endured, and the general…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 15:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries