Pleasing Others, Not Ourselves
1Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength,15:1 Rm 14:1; Gl 6:2; 1Th 5:14 and not to please ourselves.
2Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.15:2 1Co 9:22; 10:24,33; 2Co 13:9
3For even Christ did not please himself.15:3 2Co 8:9 On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.15:3Ps 69:915:3 Ps 69:9
4For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction,15:4 Rm 4:23; 2Tm 3:16 so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Glorifying God Together
7Therefore welcome one another,15:7 Rm 14:1 just as15:7 Or because Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.
Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
12And again, Isaiah says,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
From Jerusalem to Illyricum
14My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,15:14 Eph 5:9; 2Th 1:11 filled with all knowledge,15:14 1Co 1:5; 8:1,7,10; 12:8; 13:2 and able to instruct one another.
15Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points15:15 Other mss add brothers because of the grace given me by God15:15 Rm 12:3
16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,15:16 Ac 9:15; Rm 11:13 serving as a priest of the gospel of God.15:16 Rm 1:1 God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,15:16 Rm 12:1; Eph 5:2; Php 2:17 sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus15:17 Php 3:3 regarding what pertains to God.15:17 Heb 2:17; 5:1
18For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me15:18 Ac 15:12; 21:19; Rm 1:5; 2Co 3:5 by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles,
19by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,15:19 Jn 4:48 and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem15:19 Ac 22:17–21 all the way around to Illyricum.15:19 A Roman province northwest of Greece on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea15:19 Ac 20:1
20My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,15:20 Rm 1:15; 10:15 so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,15:20 1Co 3:10; 2Co 10:15–16
21but, as it is written,
Those who were not told about him will see,
Paul’s Travel Plans
23But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,15:23 Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you15:23 Ac 19:21; Rm 1:10
24whenever I travel to Spain.15:24 Other mss add I will come to you. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,15:24 Ac 15:3 once I have first enjoyed your company15:24 Rm 1:12 for a while.
26because Macedonia15:26 Ac 16:9; 1Co 16:5; 2Co 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2,4; 11:9; Php 4:15; 1Th 1:7; 4:10; 1Tm 1:3 and Achaia15:26 Ac 18:12; 19:21 were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,15:27 1Co 9:11 then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs.
28So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds15:28 Lit delivered this fruit to them,15:28 Or and placed my seal of approval on this fruit for them15:28 Jn 3:33 I will visit you on the way to Spain.
29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing15:29 Other mss add of the gospel of Christ.
30Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,15:30 Gl 5:22; Col 1:8 to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.15:30 2Co 1:11; Col 4:12
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