Romans 15:8-33 ▼

8 For I tell you that Christ (the Anointed One) has become a servant {diakonon} of the circumcised on behalf of God’s {Theou} truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs {paterōn},

9 so that the Gentiles {ethnē} may glorify God {Theon} for His mercy (compassion). As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles {ethnesin}; I will sing hymns to Your name <2Sa 22:50; Psa 18:49>.”

10 Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles {ethnē}, with His people .”

11 And again: “Praise the Lord {Kyrion}, all you Gentiles {ethnē}, and extol Him, all you peoples .”

12 And once more, Isaiah (YHWH saves) says: “The Root of Jesse (gift) will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles {ethnōn}; in Him the Gentiles {ethnē} will put their hope .”

13 Now may the God {Theos} of hope fill you⁺ with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you⁺ may overflow with hope by the power {dynamei} of the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}.

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers (and sisters), that you⁺ yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

15 However, I have written you⁺ a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God {Theou} has given me

16 to be a minister of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) to the Gentiles {ethnē} in the priestly service of the gospel (good news) of God {Theou}, so that the Gentiles {ethnōn} might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati}.

17 Therefore I exult in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) in my service to God {Theon}.

18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ (the Anointed One) has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles {ethnōn} to obedience by word and deed,

19 by the power {dynamei} of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit {Pneumatos} of God [the power of the Spirit]. So from Jerusalem (city of peace) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel (good news) of Christ (the Anointed One).

20 In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel (good news) where Christ (the Anointed One) was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand .”

22 That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you⁺.

23 But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you⁺,

24 I hope to see you⁺ on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your⁺ company for a while, you⁺ can equip me for my journey.

25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem (city of peace) to serve {diakonōn} the saints there.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia (southern Greece) were pleased to make a contribution {koinōnian} for the poor among the saints (holy ones) in Jerusalem (city of peace).

27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles {ethnē} have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.

28 So after I have completed this service and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set off to Spain by way of you⁺.

29 I know that when I come to you⁺, I will come in the fullness of the blessing [of the gospel.] of Christ (the Anointed One).

30 Now I urge you⁺, brothers (and sisters), by our Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) and by the love {agapēs} of the Spirit {Pneumatos}, to join me in my struggle by praying to God {Theon} for me.

31 Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea (land of praise), and that my service {diakonia} in Jerusalem (city of peace) may be acceptable to the saints there,

32 so that by God’s {Theou} will I may come to you⁺ with joy and together with you⁺ be refreshed.

33 The God {Theos} of peace be with all of you⁺. Amen.