MSB ROM Chapter 15

Accept One Another

We who [are] strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please [his] neighbor for [his] good, to build [him] up. 3 For even Christ {did} not please Himself, but as it is written:“The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”[fn] 4 For what[fn] was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

5 

Now {may} the God [who gives] endurance and encouragement grant you vvv vvv harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind [and] one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,[fn] in order to bring glory to God. 8 Now[fn] I tell [you that] Christ Jesus[fn] has become a servant of [the] circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9 [so that] the Gentiles may glorify God for [His] mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise You among [the] Gentiles;[fn]

I will sing hymns to Your name.”[fn]

10 

Again, it says:

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”[fn]

11 

And again:

“Praise the Lord, all [you] Gentiles,

and extol Him, all [you] peoples.”[fn]

12 

And once more, Isaiah says:

“The Root of Jesse will appear,

[One who] will arise to rule over [the] Gentiles;

in Him [the] Gentiles will put their hope.”[fn]

13 

Now {may} the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe [in Him], so that you may overflow with hope by [the] power [of the] Holy Spirit.

14 

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

I myself am convinced my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct others.[fn] 15 However, brothers,[fn] I have written you a bold vvv reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me 16 to be a minister of Jesus Christ[fn] to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become [an] offering acceptable [to God], sanctified by [the] Holy Spirit.

17 

Therefore vvv I exult in Christ Jesus in [ my service ] to God. 18 vvv I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading [the] Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19 by [the] power of signs and wonders, [and] by [the] power of [the] Spirit of God.[fn] So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

20 

In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ vvv was not known, so that vvv I would not be building on someone [else’s] foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who vvv were not told about Him will see,

and those who vvv have not heard will understand.”[fn]

22 

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

23 

Paul’s Travel Plans

(1 Corinthians 16:5–9)

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 come[fn] 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 to serve the saints [there]. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased [to do it], and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles 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[fn] of Christ.

30 

Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 [Pray] that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints [there], 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed

33 

The God of peace [be] with all of you. Amen.[fn]