Romans 15:4 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.

◄ Romans 15:4 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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
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 American Standard Bible
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

King James Bible
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

International Standard Version
For everything that was written long ago was written to instruct us, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.

American Standard Version
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.

Darby Bible Translation
For as many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

Young's Literal Translation
for, as many things as were written before, for our instruction were written before, that through the endurance, and the exhortation of the Writings, we might have the hope.

Cross References

Psalm 102:18
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me.

Habakkuk 2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain on tables, that he may run that reads it.

Romans 4:23
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

1 Thessalonians 1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Jump to Previous

Afford Aforetime Always Comfort Earlier Encouragement Endurance Former Formerly Holy Hope Instruction Learning Past Patience Perseverance Power Quiet Scriptures Steadfastness Time Times Waiting Whatever Whatsoever Writing Written

Jump to Next

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

15:1-7 Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. 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 principle involved in His whole work—self-sacrifice for the good of others—furnish our most perfect and beautiful model; and so all Scripture relating to these is for our instruction; and since the duty of forbearance, the strong with the weak, requires 'patience,' and this again needs 'comfort,' all those Scriptures which tell of patience and consolation, particularly of the patience of Christ, and of the consolation which sustained Him under it, are our appointed and appropriate nutriment, ministering to us 'hope' of that blessed day when these shall no more be needed." See on [2265]Ro 4:7, Note 7. (For the same connection between "patience and hope" see on [2266]Ro 12:12, and 1Th 1:3).