Romans 15:17 kjv
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Romans 15:17 nkjv
Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
Romans 15:17 niv
Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
Romans 15:17 esv
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
Romans 15:17 nlt
So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.
Romans 15 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle... | NT - Apostolic calling and service |
| Rom 1:5 | through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring on obedience to the faith... | NT - Purpose of apostleship |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation... | NT - Gospel's power and lack of shame |
| Rom 2:13 | For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. | NT - Doing God's will |
| Rom 3:24 | and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, | NT - Justification by grace |
| Rom 9:1 | I am speaking the truth in Christ; I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, | NT - Sincerity of ministry |
| 1 Cor 1:17 | For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. | NT - Emphasis on preaching the gospel |
| 1 Cor 9:23 | I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. | NT - Living for the gospel |
| Gal 2:8 | For he who worked powerfully in Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised worked powerfully in me also for my apostleship to the Gentiles— | NT - Parallel ministry to Gentiles |
| Gal 2:9 | and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles, while they continued to go to the circumcision— | NT - Agreement on Gentile mission |
| Eph 3:8 | To me, though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, | NT - Grace to preach to Gentiles |
| Col 1:27 | to whom God chose to make known how great will be the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. | NT - Mystery of Christ among Gentiles |
| 1 Thess 2:4 | but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. | NT - Entrusted with the gospel |
| 1 Tim 2:7 | and for this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. | NT - Appointed preacher to Gentiles |
| Heb 11:5 | By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “And he was not found, because God had taken him.” Now before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. | OT - Pleasing God through faith |
| Isa 11:10 | In that day the root of Jesse, who will stand as a banner for the peoples,—for the Gentiles shall seek him, and his resting place shall be glorious— | OT - Gentiles seeking God |
| Isa 49:6 | it is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected of Israel; I will make you as a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | OT - Servant as light to Gentiles |
| Mal 1:11 | For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and in every place pure flour is offered to my sacrifice, for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. | OT - God's name great among nations |
| Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ | NT - Purpose of Paul's commission |
| Rom 11:13 | Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry | NT - Paul's emphasis on Gentile ministry |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 17 Meaning
Paul is declaring his basis for boasting in Christ Jesus, focusing on his work for God. His ministry involved bringing Gentiles to obedience through the gospel, which is the ultimate cause for his pride.
Romans 15 17 Context
In Romans chapter 15, Paul is addressing the Roman church, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. He aims to foster unity and mutual respect within the body of Christ. This particular verse (15:17) comes as Paul is concluding his theological arguments about salvation by grace through faith for both Jew and Gentile. He asserts his apostolic authority and the legitimacy of his ministry, particularly his mission to the Gentiles, as the basis for his spiritual confidence and boasting. The preceding verses discuss bearing with the weak and glorifying God through unity, demonstrating that Paul's boast is not in himself but in Christ's work through him.
Romans 15 17 Word Analysis
- "Therefore" (διὰ τοῦτο - dia touto): Indicates a conclusion or result based on what was previously stated. It connects Paul's boasting directly to the actions and results of his ministry.
- "I have" (ἔχω - echō): A present tense verb signifying possession or having something. In this context, it's not about material possession but having grounds or a basis for something.
- "cause" (καύχημα - kauchēma): This noun refers to boasting, a cause for exultation or pride. It's distinct from empty boasting; it's about something substantial that can be rightly glorified in.
- "to glory" (καυχάομαι - kauchaomai): The verb form, meaning to boast, exult, or take pride in.
- "in Christ Jesus" (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - en Christō Iēsou): This prepositional phrase is crucial. Paul's boasting is not self-reliant but is grounded entirely "in Christ Jesus." It means his pride is in what Christ has accomplished through him, not in his own achievements.
- "concerning" (πρὸς - pros): Indicates the direction or subject matter of the boasting.
- "things" (τὰ - ta): A neuter plural article, referring to matters or things.
- "God" (θεοῦ - theou): Possessive case, indicating "God's things" or things relating to God's work.
- "which" (ἃ - ha): A relative pronoun introducing a description of the "things concerning God."
- "Christ wrought" (Χριστὸς κατειργάσατο - Christos kategāsato):
- Christ (Χριστός - Christos): The Messiah, the Anointed One.
- "wrought" (κατειργάσατο - kategāsato): Aorist middle participle from κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai), meaning to work out, accomplish, bring about, or perform diligently. It implies a thorough and effective working or accomplishment.
- "through me" (δι’ ἐμοῦ - di’ emou): "Through me" emphasizes that Paul is an instrument, a channel through which Christ's work is being done.
- "to bring" (εἰς - eis): A preposition often indicating "into" or "unto."
- "the Gentiles" (τὰ ἔθνη - ta ethnē): Refers to the non-Jewish nations.
- "unto obedience" (ὑπακοὴν - hypakoēn): Noun meaning obedience or submission. This is the direct result of Christ's working through Paul – people becoming obedient to the gospel.
Words-Group Analysis
- "cause to glory in Christ Jesus": This phrase emphasizes that Paul's entire basis for boasting is found in his union with Christ and what Christ does through him. It is an other-centred boasting.
- "Christ wrought through me": This highlights the cooperative effort between divine power and human instrumentality. Christ is the primary actor, and Paul is the vessel.
- "to bring the Gentiles unto obedience": This pinpoints the specific mission and success Paul can boast in: the salvation and transformed lives of Gentiles through the gospel message entrusted to him. This obedience signifies a surrender to the authority of Christ and the truth of the gospel.
Romans 15 17 Bonus Section
The concept of "obedience" (hypakoēn) in the Greek is related to listening and responding faithfully. It signifies more than mere compliance; it represents a willing submission and a changed disposition. This aligns with the New Testament understanding of faith, which is an active and obedient response to God's revelation. The phrase "unto obedience" is crucial because it underscores the result of the gospel's preaching – a transformed life. This was particularly significant for Paul, as his mission was specifically commissioned to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9), bringing them into the covenant community through faith in Christ. The Old Testament prophesied such inclusion, making Paul's ministry a fulfillment of God's ancient promises. His confidence was derived from the tangible results of Christ's work through him, a powerful affirmation of the gospel's efficacy.
Romans 15 17 Commentary
Paul establishes his legitimate spiritual pride, not in personal accomplishments, but in the salvific work of Christ that flowed through his ministry. His boasting is directed towards "things of God," specifically what Christ achieved by making the Gentiles obedient through the gospel. This obedience signifies a transformed life submitted to God's will and the truth of Christ. It’s a testament to the power of the gospel to effect change across cultural and ethnic boundaries, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the nations being brought to God. Paul’s confidence rests solely on Christ’s empowering grace, which enabled him to be an effective conduit for God's redemptive purposes.
- A believer's boasting should be in Christ and His work in and through them, not in self-achievements.
- The gospel's power is demonstrated in transforming lives, leading to obedience to God.
- The inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, facilitated by ministries like Paul's, is a profound reason for rejoicing.