15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.
15:2 Each of us is to please his neighbor ①for his good, to his edification.
▷ ①Lit for what is good to edification
15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “THE TAUNTS OF THOSE WHO TAUNT YOU HAVE FALLEN ON ME.”
15:4 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.
15:5 Now may the God ①who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus,
▷ ①Lit of perseverance
15:6 so that with one purpose and one ①voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
▷ ①Lit mouth
15:7 Therefore, ①accept one another, just as Christ also accepted ②us, for the glory of God.
▷ ①I.e., accept into fellowship ②One early ms you
15:8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
15:9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written:
“THEREFORE I WILL ①GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
AND I WILL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.”
▷ ①Or confess
15:10 Again he says,
“REJOICE, YOU GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.”
15:11 And again,
“PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.”
15:12 Again Isaiah says,
“THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,
AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES,
IN HIM WILL THE GENTILES HOPE.”
15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
15:14 And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
15:15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me ①from God,
▷ ①One early ms by God
15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
15:17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.
15:18 For I will not presume to speak of anything ①except what Christ has accomplished through me, ②resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,
▷ ①Lit which Christ has not accomplished ②Lit to the obedience
15:19 in the power of ①signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have ②fully preached the gospel of Christ.
▷ ①Or confirming miracles ②Lit fulfilled
15:20 And in this way I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, so that I would not build on another person’s foundation;
15:21 but just as it is written:
“THEY WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIM WILL SEE,
AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD WILL UNDERSTAND.”
15:22 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;
15:23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you
15:24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company ①for a while—
▷ ①Lit in part
15:25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the ①saints.
▷ ①Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the ①saints in Jerusalem.
▷ ①See note v 25
15:27 For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things.
15:28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have ①put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
▷ ①Lit sealed to them this fruit
15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
15:30 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
15:31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the ①saints;
▷ ①See note v 25
15:32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and relax in your company.
15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.