15:1 we who are strong Refers to believers who confidently trust that they no longer have to adhere to the religious rules they practiced before coming to Christ. Freedom in Christ clears their conscience (see 14:1).

to bear Paul encourages more than just tolerance; he wants the strong to be sympathetic toward the weak, even willing to restrict their freedom to prevent the weak from acting against their consciences. This is an opportunity for the strong to demonstrate the love of Christ and the unity of the Spirit.

the weak Refers to those who are unconfident about what they can or cannot eat. See note on 14:1.

15:2 neighbor An allusion to Lev 19:18, the second greatest commandment (compare Rom 13:8–9). In this context, “neighbor” refers to Christians, especially those who are “weak in faith” (see note on 14:1).

edification Refers to growth in faith and maturity in Christ.

15:3 The insults of those who insult you Paul quotes Psa 69:9 as an example of the attitude that Roman believers should imitate. Christ was willing to endure shame for the benefit of His Father and consequently for those who would put their trust in Him. Christ didn’t misuse His freedom to take advantage of people; rather, He used it to serve others.

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

Messianic Psalms Table

15:4 whatever was written Refers to all of the ot Scriptures. Here Paul reminds the Roman believers that ot is a source of encouragement and instruction for Christians (compare 1 Cor 10:11).

15:6 with one mouth Refers to unity among the believers.

15:7 accept one another In Rom 15:1, Paul specifically asked the strong to bear with the weak; now he urges both groups to accept one another.

15:8 the circumcision The Greek text here references circumcision; this is a way of referring to Jews. See note on 2:25.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

promises to the fathers See note on 9:4.

15:9 praise you among the Gentiles A quotation from Psa 18:49. David speaks this psalm as one who represents Christ.

Gentiles Non-Jewish people. See note on Rom 1:5.

15:10 Rejoice, Gentiles A quotation from Deut 32:43.

his people Refers to Jews.

15:12 The root of Jesse In the original context of this quotation from Isa 11:10, the root of Jesse refers to an individual ruler from the Davidic line. Paul’s quotation comes from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the ot), which emphasizes that the root of Jesse will rule the nations and provide them with hope. For Paul, Jesus is the root of Jesse—the Messiah from David’s line—who rules over both Jewish and non-Jewish people (Jews and Gentiles).

15:15 on some points May refer to the elements of the gospel addressed in the letter: righteousness by faith (ch. 4), the empowerment of the Spirit (ch. 8), and the new people of God (chs. 9–11).

grace See note on 12:3.

15:16 as a priest Paul relates his apostolic duties to those of the ot priests. He considers believers’ obedience to be a type of offering to God (12:1).

15:17 in Christ Jesus Acknowledges Christ’s power in Paul’s ministry. Paul recognizes that he cannot boast or take credit for what he has done.

15:19 signs and wonders Refers to Paul’s performance of miracles and experience of miraculous events during his ministry (e.g., Acts 13:9–12; 16:25–34; 28:3–6).

as far as Illyricum The region northwest of Greece on the Adriatic Sea. Paul probably intends for this phrase to encompass the boundaries of his ministry. See note on Rom 15:23.

15:20 where Christ has not been named Describes Paul’s regular missionary practice of preaching the gospel and planting churches only in places where other missionaries had not previously worked. Paul apparently regarded his ministry strategy as a fulfillment of Isa 52:15, which he cites in Rom 15:21. See 1 Cor 3:10–15; 2 Cor 10:13–15.

15:22 I was hindered Paul’s visit to Rome was delayed by his commitment to completing his missionary work in the east.

15:23 no longer having a place Paul seems to have believed that he had completed his divinely appointed task of preaching the gospel throughout the eastern Roman Empire.

15:24 Spain Refers to the Iberian Peninsula, which includes modern-day Spain and Portugal. Rome would have been a strategic base for launching a missionary journey to Spain, which by the first century ad was part of the Roman Empire. Paul’s desire to push westward to the borders of the empire may have been motivated by certain ot passages (e.g., Isa 66:19–20; Ezek 36:22–28). It is unknown whether Paul reached Spain, though it is possible that he traveled there after his house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16–31).

sent on my way by you Paul likely hoped for the Roman believers to support him in his Spanish mission.

15:26 Macedonia and Achaia Roman provinces located in modern-day Greece. Macedonia would have included the churches at Philippi and Thessalonica; Achaia would have included Corinth.

contribution Paul uses the Greek word koinōnia here; this word is literally rendered as “fellowship” and in this instance refers to joining others via financial support. The Macedonian and Achaian churches offered financial support for the disadvantaged believers in Jerusalem.

Koinōnia Word Study

15:28 accomplished this Refers to delivering the collection to Jerusalem.

Spain See note on Rom 15:24.

15:30 to contend along with me Paul urges Roman believers to pray earnestly for him, suggesting that it will aid his work.

15:31 who are disobedient in Judea Refers to potential opponents of Paul. See Acts 21:27–36.

15:33 God of peace See note on Rom 5:1.