Romans 15

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

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

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

Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.

Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”

Again he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”

Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

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

I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.

But I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,

that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.

But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”

Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,

but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.

For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.

Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things.

When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

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

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

that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.

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

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter calls believers to mutual acceptance and sacrificial love within the body of Christ, grounded in the example of Christ’s self-giving and the unifying purpose of God’s redemptive plan for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul transitions from doctrinal exposition to practical exhortation, urging unity, perseverance, and shared hope, while also disclosing his ministry to the Gentiles and his upcoming journey to Jerusalem, all framed by prayer and the promise of future fellowship.

Flow.

Begins with a call for the strong to bear with the weak, modeling their conduct on Christ, who bore reproach for God’s glory (vv. 1–3).
Connects Scripture’s enduring purpose to produce hope through Christ, praying that the Roman believers would be united in praise (vv. 4–6).
Expands the call to mutual acceptance into the larger framework of God’s plan: Christ served Jews to confirm promises, and He opened salvation to Gentiles, so that both join in worship (vv. 7–12).
Shifts to Paul’s personal apostolic mission to the Gentiles, his evangelistic strategy, and his plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain, interceding for protection and acceptance of his service (vv. 13–32).

Connections.
Following chapter 14, which addressed disputes over food and holy days, chapter 15 deepens the ethical appeal by grounding Christian forbearance in Christ’s own self-denial and the unity of Scripture’s testimony. Where chapter 14 focused on conscience and judgment, chapter 15 lifts the gaze to Christ as the model and the hope-giving God as the source of unity. The call to harmony and mutual acceptance prepares for chapter 16, which will express Paul’s personal greetings and final exhortations to stand firm, marking the transition from theological instruction to practical conclusion and farewell.

What it teaches.
The chapter teaches that Christian conduct must be shaped by the self-emptying love of Christ, who fulfilled God’s promises to Israel and brought the Gentiles into redemptive fellowship (WCF 8.5). Scripture is given not merely for information but to form hope through endurance and encouragement (; WCF 1.1). Believers are called to a unity that transcends cultural and religious divides, mirroring the divine purpose in Christ to gather both Jew and Gentile into one body for the glory of God (HC LD 21, Q&A 54; ). The Spirit sanctifies the Gentile offering as Paul serves as a priestly minister of the gospel (WCF 14.2), and the blessing of God—described as peace and fullness of hope—is received through faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit (WCF 18.1).

Apply.
Serve a fellow believer this week in a way that puts their need before your preference, just as Christ bore your burdens.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.