Romans 15 19

Romans 15:19 kjv

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:19 nkjv

in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:19 niv

by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:19 esv

by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God ? so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;

Romans 15:19 nlt

They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 19 Meaning

Romans 15:19 describes the authenticating power that accompanied the Apostle Paul's ministry, specifically mentioning "signs and wonders" enabled by the "Spirit of God." This divine endorsement facilitated his successful proclamation of the gospel of Christ across a vast geographical area, extending from Jerusalem and the surrounding regions all the way to Illyricum. It highlights that the efficacy of his mission was not through human eloquence or might, but through the manifest power of God at work within and through him.

Romans 15 19 Context

Romans 15:19 is part of Paul's personal reflections on his apostolic ministry and future plans, particularly to the believers in Rome. In chapters 12-15, Paul discusses Christian living, mutual acceptance between strong and weak believers, and the unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians within the body of Christ. Leading up to this verse, Paul justifies his "boldness" in writing to them by emphasizing his unique role as "a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles" (Rom 15:16), making his case that he brings an offering of sanctified Gentiles to God. He highlights the work of Christ through him for the obedience of the Gentiles, detailing the methods and divine authentication of his mission. Verse 19 encapsulates the supernatural backing for his extensive evangelistic endeavors, serving as proof of God's favor and effectiveness, and implicitly explaining why he has yet to visit Rome – he focused on unreached regions first. This passage sets the stage for Paul's appeal for support for his next missionary journey to Spain (Rom 15:24).

Romans 15 19 Word analysis

• by the power (δυνάμει - dynamei): This is from dynamis, meaning inherent power, ability, or strength, often supernatural. It's the root for "dynamic" and "dynamite." Paul emphasizes that his work wasn't merely persuasive speech but had divine enabling force behind it. This power is God's active, effective might, authenticating the gospel message.
• of signs (σημείων - sēmeiōn): "Signs" refer to observable events that point beyond themselves to a divine agent or truth. They function as evidence, attesting to the divine origin and authority of the message and the messenger. These were not arbitrary acts but carried specific meaning, designed to elicit faith or confirm revelation.
• and wonders (τεράτων - teratōn): "Wonders" emphasizes the emotional impact and awe-inspiring nature of these events. They captivate attention and provoke amazement due to their unusual and extraordinary character. Paired with "signs," they signify events that are both meaningful and miraculous.
• by the power (δυνάμει - dynamei): Repetition of "by the power" explicitly attributes the origin of these signs and wonders to the Spirit of God, underscoring that these manifestations were not human achievements but divinely initiated and empowered.
• of the Spirit (Πνεύματος - Pneumatos): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is the active agent of God's power in the world, in the lives of believers, and in the authentication of the gospel.
• of God (θεοῦ - theou): Clearly identifies the ultimate source of this power and the Holy Spirit as belonging to the one true God, leaving no room for misinterpretation of its origin.
• so that (ὥστε - hōste): A resultative conjunction, indicating the outcome or consequence of the preceding statement. The divine power was not for its own sake but directly facilitated the effective proclamation of the gospel.
• from Jerusalem (Ἱερουσαλὴμ - Hierousalēm): The traditional and theological starting point of the gospel proclamation, as commanded by Christ (Acts 1:8). It signifies the historical genesis of the Christian mission.
• and all around (καὶ κύκλῳ - kai kyklō): Literally "and in a circuit" or "round about." This indicates a wide radius of missionary activity, systematically covering the region, moving outward from the spiritual center of Jerusalem.
• as far as Illyricum (μέχρι Ἰλλυρικοῦ - mechri Illyrikou): Illyricum was a Roman province located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, northwest of Greece (modern-day Balkan region). It marked the practical westward frontier of Paul's evangelistic efforts at that time, showing the immense geographical scope of his completed mission in this phase.
• I have fully proclaimed (πεπληρωκέναι - peplērōkenai): This verb, in the perfect infinitive, signifies a completed action with lasting results. It carries the sense of having completed, fulfilled, or carried out the task completely in that particular region. Paul implies that he has faithfully discharged his commission to preach the gospel throughout that extensive territory. It suggests the establishment of Christian communities, even if small, across this area.
• the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον - to euangelion): The "good news" concerning salvation through Jesus Christ. This is the central message Paul preached.
• of Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Christou): Specifies the content and focus of the good news: it centers entirely on Jesus the Messiah, his person and work.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God": This double emphasis on "power" and the clear identification of the source as the "Spirit of God" (whose work is demonstrated through "signs and wonders") asserts that Paul's ministry was undeniably divinely empowered. It directly refutes any idea that his success was due to personal charisma, rhetorical skill, or human effort alone, making the power of God central to his apostolic authentication and effectiveness.
• "from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum": This phrase maps out the vast geographical span of Paul's intensive mission. "From Jerusalem" aligns with Christ's mandate (Acts 1:8), symbolizing the origin, while "all around as far as Illyricum" marks the expansive, systematic evangelism he undertook to fulfill his specific calling to the Gentiles up to the practical limits of that phase of his mission. It covers major regions like Syria, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Achaia.
• "I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ": This declaration reflects Paul's profound sense of having completed his mission in the regions described. "Fully proclaimed" (peplērōkenai) suggests not just verbally announcing but establishing the gospel in the sense that there are now functioning churches and believers in these areas, making further foundational work by him unnecessary in that particular sphere. It underpins his explanation for seeking new frontiers, like Spain.

Romans 15 19 Bonus section

The mention of Illyricum is significant as it demonstrates the vast geographical reach of Paul's initial phase of ministry. While the exact duration of Paul's stay in Illyricum is not detailed in Acts, this verse in Romans confirms that his missionary circuit extended to the border of the Western Roman Empire. For Paul, the goal was not to make casual visits but to deeply embed the gospel where Christ had not been named, planting the seeds for enduring Christian communities. His understanding of "fully proclaimed" was linked to the establishment of functioning churches, not simply scattering individual converts, and then entrusting their ongoing development to local leaders and future ministry. This strategic approach aligns with his vision to preach the gospel where "Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation" (Rom 15:20).

Romans 15 19 Commentary

Romans 15:19 stands as a powerful testament to Paul's divinely authorized and authenticated ministry. It underlines a core biblical principle: genuine gospel proclamation is often accompanied by the manifest power of God. The "signs and wonders" were not merely random events, but potent demonstrations of God's presence, serving to validate Paul's apostolic message and authority, especially among people unfamiliar with the Jewish Messiah. This power flowed specifically from the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the mission was supernatural from inception to execution.

Paul’s declaration that he "fully proclaimed" the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum signifies a thorough and foundational evangelistic effort within that specific geographical "circuit." He means he has discharged his unique responsibility of breaking new ground and establishing the gospel's initial foothold in these regions. This isn't to say every individual or village had heard, but that the foundational work of establishing the good news of Christ, marked by genuine converts and Christian communities, had been accomplished in the broader areas, thus allowing him to strategically seek new, unreached territories. The breadth of his journey speaks to his unwavering dedication and God's expansive reach. It served as his divine warrant for shifting his focus and requesting support for a new frontier: Spain.