God’s Word Translation
Romans 15:4
4Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- 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.
Context of Romans 15:4
2We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith. 3Christ did not think only of himself. Rather, as Scripture says, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. 5May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus. 6Then, having the same goal, you will praise 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 “his faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God” were written not only for him
- 1 Corinthians 9:9Moses’ Teachings say, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing grain.” God’s concern isn’t for oxen.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11These things happened to make them an example for others. These things were written down as a warning for us who are living in the closing days of history.
- 2 Timothy 3:16Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval.
- 2 Peter 1:20First, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.
- Romans 5:3But that’s not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance,
- Romans 8:24We were saved with this hope in mind. If we hope for something we already see, it’s not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen?
- Romans 12:12Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.
- Psalms 119:81My soul is weak from waiting for you to save me. My hope is based on your word.
- Hebrews 6:10God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him. You helped his holy people, and you continue to help them.
- Hebrews 10:35So don’t lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward.
- James 5:7Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. See how farmers wait for their precious crops to grow. They wait patiently for fall and spring rains.
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore, your minds must be clear and ready for action. Place your confidence completely in what God’s kindness will bring you when Jesus Christ appears again.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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