Romans 15:20 kjv
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
Romans 15:20 nkjv
And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,
Romans 15:20 niv
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.
Romans 15:20 esv
and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,
Romans 15:20 nlt
My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.
Romans 15 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 15:20 | And so I have made it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation | This Verse |
| Rom 1:13 | I want you to know, brothers, that I have often planned to come to you but have been prevented until now, in order that I might have a harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. | Shared desire for ministry |
| Rom 10:14 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? | Need for evangelism |
| Rom 11:11 | So then I ask, did they stumble in such a way as to fall permanently? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. | Gentile inclusion, Israel's response |
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument to me to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. | Paul's commission |
| Acts 13:46 | And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. | Turning to Gentiles |
| Acts 14:6 | ...made their escape to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country. | Ministry in new regions |
| Acts 18:6 | And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” | Refusal of rejection |
| 1 Cor 3:10 | According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds upon it. But let each one take care how he builds upon it. | Analogy of foundation |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. | God's grace and effort |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. | Ministry of reconciliation |
| 2 Cor 10:15 | We do not boast beyond limits, but within the limits of the sphere that the God of Paul assigned to us as our limit, to reach out even to you. | Spheres of ministry |
| 2 Cor 10:16 | We intend at the cost of preaching the gospel in lands beyond you, so as not to boast of work already done in another’s sphere. | Ministering in unreached areas |
| Gal 2:7-8 | On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised, for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic mission to the circumcised worked through me also for my mission to the Gentiles. | Apostolic commissions |
| Eph 3:8 | To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. | Paul's specific ministry |
| Eph 4:9 | (Besides this, he ascended) what does it mean but that he also descended into the lower earthly regions? | Christ's descent |
| Col 1:23 | ...if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not being moved away from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. | Gospel proclaimed |
| Col 1:24 | Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. | Suffering for the church |
| 1 Thess 2:18 | ...we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. | Hindrance to ministry |
| 1 Thess 3:11 | Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. | Prayer for direction |
| Isa 11:10 | And in that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; to it shall the nations seek, and he shall be the land of his rest, glorious. | Nations seeking Messiah |
| Isa 49:6 | ...I will make you as a light to the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | Gentiles as light |
| Isa 65:1 | “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. | Nations not called by His name |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 20 Meaning
Paul's desire and purpose in ministry is to proclaim the gospel not in a pre-existing base, but rather in territories that have never heard it before. His aim is to fulfill the prophecy concerning the Gentiles being called by God's name, spreading God's word to those who haven't heard it, and through this act, provoking the Jewish people to a greater faith and adherence to God's ways. This outreach extends to evangelizing unreached peoples.
Romans 15 20 Context
Romans chapter 15 continues Paul's discourse on Christian unity and the acceptance of fellow believers, particularly between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul addresses the need for the stronger believers to bear with the weaknesses of the weaker, especially concerning disputable matters like dietary laws and observance of specific days. He has been speaking about bearing with one another and pleasing one's neighbor for his good, to build him up. He references the example of Christ, who pleased no one but rather bore the insults of those who insulted God. This verse falls within this section where Paul is justifying his approach to ministry, emphasizing his calling to reach those who have not yet heard the gospel, rather than to minister in areas already evangelized by others. This approach is also aimed at demonstrating his dedication to fulfilling the broader mission of God for the Gentiles, ultimately intended to encourage Israel as well.
Romans 15 20 Word analysis
- οὕτως (houtōs): "thus," "so," "in this way." This adverb connects Paul's previous statements about accommodating others with his own ministry's principles. It signals a consequential action or declaration.
- δὲ (de): A coordinating conjunction, "but," "and," "now." It introduces a contrast or a new aspect of the discussion. Here, it links the preceding emphasis on building up others with his personal ministry practice.
- πραγματεύομαι (pragmateuomai): "to be diligent about," "to make a business of," "to pursue." In the passive voice, it often means "to be occupied with" or "to seek." Paul uses it to express his deliberate pursuit and objective. It implies focused effort and a strong ambition.
- εὐαγγελίζεσθαι (euangelizesthai): "to proclaim the good news," "to evangelize." This is the core of Paul's apostolic mission.
- οὐ (ou): "not." A negative particle.
- ἔνθα (entha): "where," "there." A place adverb.
- ὠνομάσθη (onomasthē): "was named," "was called." The passive aorist subjunctive of ὀνομάζω (onomaō). It refers to the gospel being preached and established in a place, resulting in Christ's name being associated with it.
- Xριστὸς (Christos): "Christ," "the Anointed One."
- ἵνα (hina): "in order that," "so that." A conjunction of purpose.
- μὴ (mē): "not." Another negative particle, often used with imperatives or subjunctive clauses of purpose.
- ἐπὶ (epi): "upon," "on," "over," "in." A preposition indicating a foundation or base.
- ἀλλότριον (allotrio): "another's," "belonging to another." Here, it signifies a foundation already laid by someone else.
- θεμέλιον (themeliou): "foundation," "base."
- τιθῶ (tithō): "I lay," "I place." The aorist subjunctive of τίθημι (tithēmi). It signifies the act of establishing something new, of building upon virgin ground.
Word group analysis
- "πραγματεύομαι ἐμαυτῷ τὸ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι... ἔνθα ὠνομάσθη ὁ Χριστός": This phrase captures Paul's deliberate ambition: to spread the gospel in places where Christ has not yet been named. It highlights his missionary zeal and pioneering spirit, refusing to build upon another's groundwork.
- "οὐκ ἐπὶ θεμέλιον ἀλλότριον τιθῶ": This further clarifies his method, signifying his avoidance of establishing work on an already existing foundation laid by another. It implies respect for the completed work of others and a drive to expand the gospel's reach to entirely new spheres.
Romans 15 20 Bonus section
The Greek term translated as "named" (ὠνομάσθη - onomastḥē) signifies not just having a name but being publicly acknowledged and established. Therefore, Paul's goal is to go where the gospel, and by extension Christ, has not yet been recognized or established as the central focus. This missionary principle resonates with the Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 49:6 ("I will make you as a light to the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth") and Isaiah 65:1 ("I am sought by those who did not ask for me; I am found by those who did not seek me"). These passages foreshadow the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvific plan, a mission Paul embraced with singular passion. His own ministry was fundamentally about opening up new spiritual frontiers for the gospel, rather than entering territories already conquered by the message of Christ.
Romans 15 20 Commentary
Paul's self-professed ambition in verse 20 is deeply rooted in his understanding of his apostolic calling and the divine strategy for spreading the gospel. It's not about personal glory but about fulfilling God's plan, particularly concerning the Gentile mission, which is a cornerstone of his ministry. His principle of not building on another's foundation underscores a commitment to pioneering evangelism. This ensures that his work directly contributes to the expansion of God's kingdom into unreached territories, maximizing the impact of the gospel message. Furthermore, by focusing on new areas, he avoids encroaching on the established ministries of others, promoting a unified and cooperative front in evangelism. This directive principle also carries a forward-looking implication, touching on God's promise to reach all nations and particularly, as foretold, calling a people from among the Gentiles. Paul's diligent pursuit of this objective, as seen in his extensive missionary journeys, is a testament to his dedication to the Great Commission and his profound obedience to Christ.
- Practical application: A believer might identify a ministry need that is already well-served and focus their efforts elsewhere, rather than duplicating existing work. They could also support missions that target unreached people groups, aligning with this principle.