Romans 15

Self-denial in behalf of Others

1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of 1those without strength, and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to 2please his neighbor 3for his good, to his 4edification. 3For even 5Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “6The taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on Me.” 4For 7whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5Now may the 8God 9who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you 10to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one purpose and one 11voice you may glorify 12the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Therefore, 1314accept one another, just as Christ also accepted 15us, for the glory of God. 8For I say that Christ has become a servant to 16the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm 17the promises given to the fathers, 9and for 18the Gentiles to 19glorify God for His mercy; as it is written: “20Therefore I will 21give praise to You among the Gentiles, And I will sing praises to Your name.” 10Again he says, “22Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.” 11And again, “23Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him.” 12Again Isaiah says, “24There shall come 25the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, 26In Him will the Gentiles hope.” 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all 27joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope 28by the power of the Holy Spirit.

14And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of 29goodness, filled with 30all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of 31the grace that was given to me 32from God, 16to be 33a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the 34gospel of God, so that my 35offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found 36reason for boasting in 37things pertaining to God. 1838For I will not presume to speak of anything 39except what 40Christ has accomplished through me, 41resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19in the power of 4243signs and wonders, 44in the power of the Spirit; so that 45from Jerusalem and all around as 46far as Illyricum I have 47fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And in this way I aspired to 48preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, 49so that I would not build on another person’s foundation; 21but just as it is written: “50They who have not been told about Him will see, And they who have not heard will understand.”

22For this reason 51I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I 52have had for many years a longing to come to you 24whenever I 53go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be 54helped on my way there by you, when I have first 55enjoyed your company 56for a while-- 25but now, 57I am going to Jerusalem, 58serving the 59saints. 26For 60Macedonia and 61Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the 62saints in Jerusalem. 27For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For 63if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things. 28Therefore, when I have finished this, and 64have 65put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will 66go on by way of you to Spain. 29I know that when 67I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

30Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by 68the love of the Spirit, to 69strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31that I may be 70rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my 71service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the 7273saints; 32so that 74I may come to you in joy by 75the will of God and relax in your company. 33Now 76the God of peace be with you all. Amen.