Romans 15 13

Romans 15:13 kjv

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

Romans 15:13 nkjv

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 niv

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 esv

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13 nlt

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 13 Meaning

The apostle Paul invokes a blessing upon believers, expressing his desire and prayer that the God of hope would fill them with all joy and peace in their faith. This filling is through the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to abound in hope.

Romans 15 13 Context

This verse concludes Romans chapter 15, which focuses on the principle of bearing with the weak, encouraging unity among believers, especially between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul has exhorted the Roman church to imitate Christ in showing love and consideration. He expresses his intention to visit them and encourages them to receive him, relying on God's strength and presence among them. This specific verse serves as a final benediction or prayer for the church in Rome, wishing them spiritual fullness. The broader context of Romans highlights God's righteousness revealed in the gospel and its implications for human salvation and Christian living, emphasizing love, unity, and dependence on God.

Romans 15 13 Word Analysis

• "May": Expresses a wish or a prayer. It signals a hope or a desire for something to come to pass.
• "the God": Refers to the one true God, the Creator and sustainer of all.
• "of hope": This is a genitive noun, indicating that God is the source and author of hope. Hope in Christian theology is not mere optimism but a confident expectation rooted in God's promises and power, especially in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• "fill": A transitive verb meaning to make full or to cause to be filled. It implies an abundant, complete possession.
• "you": Refers to the believers in the church at Rome.
• "with all": Denotes completeness or totality. Paul desires for them to be filled with every aspect of these qualities.
• "joy": Refers to a deep-seated gladness and delight, often independent of outward circumstances, stemming from a relationship with God.
• "and peace": Represents tranquility, quietness, and well-being, both in one's relationship with God and with fellow believers.
• "in believing": This phrase, "eis to pistevein" (εἰς τὸ πιστεύειν), can be interpreted in several ways. It likely signifies "as you believe," "in your faith," or "through your faith." It suggests that the joy and peace are experienced and sustained as a result of their active faith.
• "through": Indicates the agency or the means by which this filling occurs.
• "the power": The Greek word is "dynamis" (δύναμις), signifying power, strength, might, or inherent ability.
• "of the": Another genitive construction.
• "Holy Spirit": The third person of the Trinity, the active agent of God in the lives of believers, empowering and guiding them.

Word Group Analysis:

• "the God of hope": This appellation emphasizes God as the ultimate source and foundation of all true and lasting hope, particularly the hope centered in the gospel and the resurrection of Christ. It contrasts with the transient and often vain hopes of the world.
• "fill you with all joy and peace": This is a profound spiritual desire for total immersion in these positive spiritual states. It’s not just a little joy or peace, but a comprehensive fullness, supplied by God.
• "in believing" / "in your faith": The experience of this joy and peace is intrinsically linked to their active and ongoing trust in God and His promises. Faith is the channel through which God's blessings flow.
• "through the power of the Holy Spirit": This clarifies that the attainment of this abundant joy and peace is not through human effort but through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within believers.

Romans 15 13 Bonus Section

The concept of God as the "God of hope" is foundational in Paul's theology, highlighting that Christian hope is not wishful thinking but a secure expectation based on God's faithfulness and the finished work of Christ. The juxtaposition of "joy" and "peace" is significant; joy is the positive affirmation of God's goodness and presence, while peace is the absence of inner turmoil, both of which are fruits of the Spirit. The phrase "in believing" suggests that faith is the conduit; as faith strengthens, so does the experience of joy and peace. The mention of the "power of the Holy Spirit" underscores that these are supernatural qualities, not merely psychological states achieved through willpower. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder that our spiritual well-being and capacity to endure and rejoice are wholly dependent on the Holy Spirit's work within us.

Romans 15 13 Commentary

This verse is a powerful benediction that encapsulates the desired state of every believer. Paul blesses the Roman church with a fullness of joy and peace, not derived from earthly circumstances, but from God Himself, who is the ultimate source of hope. This experience is deeply connected to their faith; as they continue to trust in God, they increasingly partake in these spiritual blessings. The operative force behind this spiritual empowerment is the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live lives marked by resilient joy and steadfast peace, even amidst trials. It speaks to a complete saturation in hope, radiating outwards from their innermost being, made possible by the divine power resident within them. The emphasis is on the proactive role of God the Father (as the God of hope), the passive reception by believers (filled), and the active agency of the Holy Spirit enabling this reception. This abundance flows from God's nature and is distributed through His Spirit to those who believe.

• Practical Example: A believer facing job loss can still experience deep joy and peace, knowing God has a plan ("God of hope") and trusting in His provision ("in believing"), enabled by the Spirit's presence and strength ("through the power of the Holy Spirit").