Romans 15 12

Romans 15:12 kjv

And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

Romans 15:12 nkjv

And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."

Romans 15:12 niv

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."

Romans 15:12 esv

And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope."

Romans 15:12 nlt

And in another place Isaiah said, "The heir to David's throne will come,
and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him."

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 12 Meaning

Romans 15:12, quoting Isaiah 11:10, proclaims Jesus Christ as the Messianic descendant, "the Root of Jesse," through whom God's ancient promise of universal reign is fulfilled. This verse unequivocally declares that non-Jewish peoples, the Gentiles, will confidently place their hope, trust, and expectation for salvation and a restored relationship with God in Him. It serves as a conclusive scriptural affirmation by Paul that the inclusion of Gentiles as full participants in God's covenant plan, equally with Jews, has always been part of divine intention through the Messiah.

Romans 15 12 Context

Romans 15:12 functions as the climax of a series of Old Testament citations Paul presents in Romans 15:9-12 to advocate for unity and mutual acceptance between Jewish and Gentile believers in the Roman church. Paul addresses tensions and differing practices within the community, encouraging a Christ-like spirit of humility and self-sacrifice for the good of others. His core argument in this section is that the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan is not a new development but a fulfillment of long-standing biblical prophecy. By quoting Isaiah 11:10 (LXX), Paul firmly establishes that God's Messiah, a descendant of Jesse, was always intended to rule over all nations and be the source of hope for Gentiles. This biblical grounding reinforces the theological basis for Gentile Christians being full and equal heirs in God's family, thereby supporting Paul's exhortation for unity and harmonious coexistence within the diverse Christian body in Rome.

Romans 15 12 Word analysis

• And again, Isaiah says,: This serves as an authoritative introduction, indicating that Paul is providing further scriptural evidence. By attributing it to Isaiah, he links the present reality of Gentile inclusion directly to prophetic anticipation, underscoring its divine origin.
• 'The Root of Jesse:
  • Root (Greek: rhiza, ῥίζα): This powerful metaphor refers to Jesus Christ as the essential origin and sustaining source from the lineage of Jesse (David's father). While Isaiah 11:1 speaks of a "shoot" or "branch" (Hebrew netzer) from the "stump" (Hebrew gez’a) of Jesse, Paul's quote from the Septuagint emphasizes rhiza, conveying Christ as the deep, fundamental source and enduring life of David's royal line, even after it seemingly withered. It signifies not just descent but being the foundational cause and renewal of that lineage.
  • Jesse (Greek: Iessai, Ἰεσσαί): The father of King David. Mentioning Jesse highlights the humble origins from which God sovereignly chose and raised up David, a pattern reflected in Christ's own humble advent and His subsequent exaltation. It unequivocally grounds the Messiah in the promised Davidic royal covenant.
• will spring up,: (Implied, derived from the LXX concept of "the root that arises/stands") This dynamic imagery suggests a vibrant, powerful emergence and flourishing. It points to Christ's active coming and establishment of His rule, demonstrating a life-giving, unstoppable growth from this "Root."
• one who will arise to rule:
  • will arise (Greek: anastēmi, ἀνάστημι, present participle used attributively): Indicates an active, determined assumption of authority. It speaks to Christ's sovereign initiative in establishing His kingdom and may subtly echo His resurrection, through which He truly rose to claim His throne.
  • to rule (Greek: archein, ἄρχειν): This denotes absolute authority, governance, and kingship. It speaks of the Messiah's royal office, extending His dominion and leadership over His subjects.
• over the nations:
  • nations (Greek: ethnōn, ἐθνῶν): Crucially, this specifically refers to all non-Jewish peoples, the Gentiles. This inclusion is the linchpin of Paul's argument in Romans 15. It highlights the vast, inclusive scope of Christ's sovereignty, breaking down any perception of an exclusively Jewish Messianic reign.
• in him the Gentiles will hope.':
  • in him (Greek: ep' autō, ἐπ' αὐτῷ): This phrase emphasizes the exclusive object of faith and trust. Christ alone is the source of this hope. All expectation, salvation, and divine blessing for both Jew and Gentile are found solely in Him.
  • the Gentiles: Explicitly reiterates that non-Jews are direct beneficiaries and participants in this hope, not as a secondary consideration, but by divine design.
  • will hope (Greek: elpiousin, ἐλπιοῦσιν): More than a mere wish, this signifies a confident, steadfast expectation and joyful anticipation rooted in God's reliable promises. For the Gentiles, who historically lived "without hope and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12), finding this robust hope in the Messiah transforms their entire existence and secures their place in God's redemptive plan.

Romans 15 12 Bonus section

Paul's strategic use of the Septuagint (LXX) translation for Isaiah 11:10 in this verse is paramount. While the Masoretic Text (MT) suggests the nations "resorting" or "inquiring" to the Root of Jesse, the LXX's rendition, "in him the Gentiles will hope" (ep' autō ethnē elpiousin), provides a more direct and stronger theological link to Paul's consistent emphasis on hope (Gk. elpis) throughout Romans (e.g., Rom 4:18, 5:2, 8:24-25, 12:12, 15:13). This linguistic choice highlights Christ not merely as a rallying point, but as the active, life-sustaining object of faith and confident expectation for all humanity, especially for the Gentiles. This demonstrates Paul's discerning handling of scripture, selecting the most effective text to underscore the full theological implications of Christ's work for both Jews and Gentiles, dissolving previous ethnic distinctions.

Romans 15 12 Commentary

Romans 15:12, a potent declaration from Isaiah, caps Paul's scriptural proofs for the comprehensive inclusion of Gentiles within God's salvation plan. It underscores Jesus Christ as the preordained Messianic ruler, the "Root of Jesse," whose universal sovereignty was divinely purposed to embrace all nations. This verse obliterates any ethnic exclusivity, confirming that the Messiah's mission inherently extends to Gentiles, making them equal recipients of divine hope. For both Jewish and Gentile believers, it solidifies their shared identity and common hope in Christ, forming the unshakeable foundation for the unity Paul advocates throughout his letter. Its message remains profoundly relevant, urging mutual acceptance, cross-cultural ministry, and a global vision of the church that transcends all human-made divisions, unified by confident hope in Jesus.