Accept One Another

1Now we, the strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let each one of us please his neighbor in that which is good for his edification; 3for even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it has been written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me." 4For whatsoever things were written in former times were written for our instruction, that we through patience and through consolation of the Scriptures may have hope. 5Now the God of patience and of consolation grant you to be of the same mind one with another, according to Christ Jesus: 6that with one accord ye may, with one mouth, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

7Wherefore, receive one another, as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.

8For I say that Christ hath become a minister of the circumcision, in behalf of God's truth, that He might confirm the promises made to the fathers;

9and that the gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it has been written, "For this cause, I will confess to Thee among the gentiles; and to Thy name will I sing praise."

10And again He saith, "Rejoice, ye gentiles with His people."

11And again, "Praise the Lord, all ye gentiles, and let all the people extol Him."

12And again Isaiah says, "There shall be the Root of Jesse, and He Who riseth up to rule over the gentiles, on Him will the gentiles hope."

13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound In hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14And I myself also have become persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15But I wrote to you the more boldly in part, as reminding you again, because of the grace which was given to me from God, 16that I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the gentiles may become acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17I have, therefore, my glorying in Christ Jesus as to the things pertaining to God. 18For I will venture to speak only of the things which God wrought through me for the obedience of the gentiles, by word and deed, 19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum, I have fully dispensed the Gospel of Christ; 20and, making it my aim so to proclaim the Gospel?not where Christ was already named?that I might not build upon another's foundation;

21but, as it has been written, "Those shall see, to whom nothing was announced concerning Him; and those who have not heard shall understand."

22Wherefore, also, I was being hindered many times from coming to you;

Paul’s Travel Plans
(1 Corinthians 16:5–9)

23but now, having no longer any place in these regions; and, having a desire for many years to come to you, 24whensoever I go to Spain (for I am hoping, in passing through, to see you, and to be sent on my way thither by you, if first I have been satisfied, in a measure, with your company); 25but now I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia were well pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things. 28After having completed this, and having sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you into Spain; 29and I know that, when coming to you, I will come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30And I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31that I may be delivered from the unbelieving in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32that, coming to you in joy through the will of God, I may with you be refreshed. 33And the God of peace be with you all. Amen.