Self-denial on Behalf of Others

1Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. 2Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU (the Father) FELL ON ME (the Son).” 4For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 5Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers, 9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written,

“THEREFORE I PRAISE YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,

AND SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.” 10Again it says,

“REJOICE and CELEBRATE, O GENTILES, ALONG WITH HIS PEOPLE.” 11And again,

“PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,

AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM!” 12Again Isaiah says,

“THERE SHALL BE A ROOT OF [b]JESSE,

HE WHO ARISES TO RULE [as King] OVER THE GENTILES,

IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

14Personally I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another. 15Still, on some points I have written to you very boldly and without reservation to remind you [about them] again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit. 17In Christ Jesus, then, I have found [legitimate] reason for boasting in things related [to my service] to God. 18For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed, 19with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] in the power of the Spirit. So [starting] from Jerusalem and as far away as [c]Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel [faithfully preaching the good news] of Christ [where it had not before been preached]. 20Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture],

“THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE,

AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD [of Him] SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

22This [goal--my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome]. 23But now, with no further place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you-- 24whenever I go [on my trip] to Spain--I hope to see you as I pass through [Rome], and to be helped on my journey there by you, after I have first enjoyed your company for a little while. 25But for now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Jewish believers). 26For [Gentile believers in] [d]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then they are indebted to serve them also in [tangible] material things. 28Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29I know that when I do come to you, I will come in the abundant blessing of Christ.

30I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf, 31[and pray] that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints (Jewish believers) there; 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company. 33May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

[a] 2 I.e. all those with whom we have contact.
[b] 12 Jesse was the father of David the king, and Jesus (the Messiah) was a descendant of David.
[c] 19 Located nearly 1,400 miles from Jerusalem, Illyricum was a Roman province of economic and strategic importance. It was a large region north of Macedonia located between the Adriatic Sea and the Danube River, and was known for its commercial seaports and gold mines. The great Roman road, Via Egnatia, started in Illyricum and ran eastward to Byzantium.
[d] 26 In addition to Macedonia and Achaia some churches in Asia Minor also contributed to this offering.