Romans 15:25 - God's Saints But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. Truth to Learn All Christians are saints. Behind the Words The word translated “minister” should be a familiar word to us by now. It is the Greek word diakoneō, a verb meaning “to...
Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit
Romans 15:24 - A Friendly Visit whenever I journey to Spain, I shall 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. Truth to Learn Paul wanted...
Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve
Romans 15:23 - Desire to Serve But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, Truth to Learn Paul followed his desires, except when God changed his plan. Behind the Words The word “now” is translated from...
Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed
Romans 15:22 - Submitted and Committed For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. Truth to Learn Doing God’s will often means not doing what we want to do. Behind the Words “For this reason” is from the Greek word dio. This is made up...
Romans 15:21 – Evangelistic Tenacity
Romans 15:21 - Evangelistic Tenacity but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand." Truth to Learn Isaiah prophesied about Gentiles believing in the Messiah. Behind the Words “Announced” is from anangellō, which is made up of...
Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition
Romans 15:20 - Singular Ambition And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, Truth to Learn All Christians are called and gifted to build the body of Christ. Behind the Words The expression...
Romans 15:19 – Submissive Service
Romans 15:19 - Submissive Service in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Truth to Learn We need to submissively serve God wherever He leads us. Behind the...
Romans 15:18 – Give Him Credit
Romans 15:18 - Give Him Credit For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— Truth to Learn God gets all the credit for what is accomplished through us. Behind the...
Romans 15:17 – All God’s Doing
Romans 15:17 - All God's Doing Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. Truth to Learn We should take no credit for our abilities or for what we accomplish; we should give God all the credit. Behind the Words “Glory” is...
Romans 15:16 – Ministerial Calling
Romans 15:16 - Ministerial Calling that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Truth to Learn Christians are called to a ministry of proclaiming the gospel message...
Romans 15:15 – Always Growing
Romans 15:15 - Always Growing Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, Truth to Learn We should always be learning and becoming more Christ-like. Behind the Words “More boldly” is a translation of...
Romans 15:14 – Christ-like Living
Romans 15:14 - Christ-like Living Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Truth to Learn Mature Christians behave in a Christ-like manner. Behind the Words The word translated “concerning” is the...
Romans 15:13 – Hopeful Expectation
Romans 15:13 - Hopeful Expectation Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Truth to Learn Christians can have joy, peace, and hopeful expectation. Behind the Words The word translated...
Romans 15:12 – The Root of Life
Romans 15:12 - The Root of Life And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a Root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope." Truth to Learn Every Christian’s hope is a result of the resurrection of Christ. Behind the...
Romans 15:11 – Loudly Praise Him
Romans 15:11 - Loudly Praise Him And again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" Truth to Learn God deserves our praise, so let’s give it to Him! Behind the Words The Greek verb translated “Praise” is aineō, which means “to sing praises.” In the New...
Romans 15:10 – Gentile Rejoicing
Romans 15:10 - Gentile Rejoicing And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" Truth to Learn Christians of all nationalities have reason to rejoice. Behind the Words “Rejoice” is translated from euphrainō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and a form of phren, meaning...
Romans 15:9 – Body Composition
Romans 15:9 - Body Composition and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name." Truth to Learn All Christians are members of the same body. Behind the Words The...
Romans 15:8 – Breaking Old Habits
Romans 15:8 - Breaking Old Habits Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, Truth to Learn The bondage of manmade rules and tradition is hard to break. Behind the Words “Has...
Romans 15:7 – Filthy Righteousness
Romans 15:7 - Filthy Righteousness Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Truth to Learn God freely receives all who come in humble faith. Behind the Words “Received” is translated from proslambanō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward”...
Romans 15:6 – The Praising Body
Romans 15:6 - The Praising Body that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn God is worthy of praise from the entire body of Christ. Behind the Words The expression “like minded” in verse five is...
Romans 15:5 – Brotherly Patience
Romans 15:5 - Brotherly Patience Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, Truth to Learn Christians need to be patiently forbearing of each other. Behind the Words The word “grant” (actually, “may … grant”) is translated from...
Romans 15:4 – Heavenly Hope
Romans 15:4 - Heavenly Hope For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Truth to Learn The Old Testament holds many teachings that instruct Christians in how to patiently endure with hope. Behind the...
Romans 15:3 – Humility Personified
Romans 15:3 - Humility Personified For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me." Truth to Learn Christ is our supreme example of humility for the sake of others. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “reproaches”...
Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down
Romans 15:2 - Build-up, Not Tear-down Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. Truth to Learn We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down. Behind the Words The word...
Romans 15:1 – Strong or Weak
Romans 15:1 - Strong or Weak We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Truth to Learn The strong in faith are obligated to help the weaker Christian. Behind the Words The word translated “strong” is dunatos, meaning “powerful...
Romans 14:23 – Walking By Faith
Romans 14:23 - Walking By Faith But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Truth to Learn Listening to the Holy Spirit means walking by faith. Behind the Words “Doubts” is translated from the...
Romans 14:22 – In His Presence
Romans 14:22 - In His Presence Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Truth to Learn Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices. Behind the Words The word translated “faith” is pistis, which...
Romans 14:21 – Good For Whom?
Romans 14:21 - Good For Whom? It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Truth to Learn Consider the good of others more important than your own. Behind the Words The word translated...
Romans 14:20 – Construction, Not Demolition
Romans 14:20 - Construction, Not Demolition Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. Truth to Learn We are supposed to build-up the church, not tear it down. Behind the...
Romans 14:19 – Self Denial
Romans 14:19 - Self Denial Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Truth to Learn We must deny ourselves in order to serve God and others. Behind the Words Just as in verse twelve, Paul starts off this...
Romans 14:18 – Becoming God Pleasers
Romans 14:18 - Becoming God Pleasers For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Truth to Learn Serving Christ pleases God and gains the respect of others. Behind the Words The expression “in these things” is from the Greek en toutois, most...