Accept One Another

1But we who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let each of us please his neighbor in that which is good, unto edification; 3for Christ did not please himself; but, as has been written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4For so many things as were previously written were written for our instruction, in order that through the patience and through the consolation of the scriptures we may have hope. 5But may the God of patience and consolation grant unto you to think the same things among one another with reference to Christ Jesus. 6In order that you may with one accord with one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

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

8For I say that Christ has been made minister of circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises of the fathers,

9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as has been written, Therefore I will confess thee among the Gentiles, and in thy name sing praises.

10And again he says, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11And again, Let all the Gentiles praise the Lord; and let all ye peoples praise him.

12And again, Isaiah says, There shall be the root of Jesse, and he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope.

13And the God of hope fill you in all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14But I am indeed persuaded, my brethren, concerning you, that you are also full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge, being able also to admonish one another. 15But I have written unto you more boldly in part, as reminding you, on account of the grace which has been given unto me from God, 16that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17Moreover I have boldness in Christ Jesus as to the things appertaining to God: 18for I will not dare to speak anything save those things which Christ has wrought through me, unto the obedience of the Gentiles, in word and deed, 19in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem, and around about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; 20but being so ambitious not to preach the gospel, where Christ has been named, in order that I may not build on another man's foundation;

21but, as has been written, Those, to whom he has not been preached, shall see concerning him, and they who have not heard shall understand.

22Therefore indeed I was hindered much from coming unto you:

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

23but now, no longer having a place in these regions, and having an earnest longing for many years to come to you, 24as I may journey into Spain, for I hope traveling through to see you, and by you to be sent forth thither, if in the first place I may be satisfied with your company? 25but now I journey to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a certain contribution to the poor who are in Jerusalem. 27For they were pleased to do so; and they are their debtors: for if the Gentiles participated in spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28Then having completed and sealed this fruit unto them, I will sail away for Spain by you; 29but I know that coming unto you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

30But I exhort you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you cooperate with me in your prayers to God in my behalf; 31in order that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and my ministry may be acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem; 32in order that having come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. 33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.