New International Version
Romans 15:4
4For 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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
2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 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. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may 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 4:23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,
- 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
- 1 Corinthians 10:11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
- 2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
- 2 Peter 1:20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
- Romans 5:3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Romans 8:24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
- Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Psalms 119:81My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
- Hebrews 6:10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
- Hebrews 10:35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
- James 5:7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
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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