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 1:5 | ...through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations... | Paul's call to bring gospel to all nations. |
| Rom 11:13 | Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles... | Paul's specific ministry to non-Jews. |
| Rom 15:19 | ...so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; | Paul's extensive pioneering missionary journey. |
| Rom 15:21 | but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." | Quotes Isa 52:15, biblical justification. |
| Isa 52:15 | ...for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. | Original prophecy aligning with Paul's method. |
| Gal 1:16 | ...to reveal his Son in me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles... | Paul's divine commission to unreached Gentiles. |
| Gal 2:7-9 | ...the gospel to the uncircumcised was entrusted to me... recognizing the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John... gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles... | Agreement on distinct apostolic spheres. |
| 1 Cor 3:6 | I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. | Illustrates distinct roles in ministry. |
| 1 Cor 3:10-11 | According to the grace of God given to me, I laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. | Paul lays a foundation of Christ. |
| 2 Cor 10:13-16 | We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the field of labor that God has assigned to us... our hope is that as your faith grows, our sphere of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s sphere. | Paul's specific "field" and desire to expand beyond. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | Mandate for global gospel spread. |
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel." | Divine choosing of Paul for Gentiles. |
| Acts 13:46-47 | And Paul and Barnabas spoke out 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. For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" | Turning to Gentiles as primary focus. |
| Acts 14:21-23 | When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith... | Example of evangelizing new areas. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | 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 not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" | Emphasizes the need for new messengers. |
| Matt 28:19 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... | The Great Commission. |
| Eph 2:20 | ...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone... | Christ as the ultimate foundation. |
| Phil 1:15-18 | Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will... The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition... but the latter out of love... What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. | Contrasting motives for proclaiming Christ. |
| Isa 28:16 | Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'" | God as the ultimate foundation-layer. |
| Ps 19:4 | Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. | Foretelling universal reach of God's word. |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 20 Meaning
Romans 15:20 encapsulates Paul’s distinctive missionary principle and driving ambition. He made it his deliberate aim, or solemn purpose, to evangelize regions where the good news of Christ had not yet been proclaimed. His intention was to be a pioneering apostle, not building upon the spiritual groundwork already laid by others, but rather initiating new ministries in unreached territories. This strategy was rooted in a commitment to extend the gospel's reach into new areas and uphold a division of labor among apostles, ensuring that diverse parts of the world heard the name of Christ for the first time through his ministry.
Romans 15 20 Context
Romans chapter 15 marks a pivotal transition in Paul's epistle, shifting from detailed ethical and theological instructions within the Roman church to his personal plans and the larger scope of his apostolic mission. Before detailing his intention to visit Rome and then travel on to Spain, Paul first explains why he has not visited Rome sooner. Verses 18 and 19 recount his extensive missionary travels and the Holy Spirit's power enabling him to fulfill his ministry. Then, verse 20 introduces his defining operational principle: to break new ground where the gospel was unheard. This sets the stage for his explanation that his work in the eastern Mediterranean was now "finished," leaving no more "room" or opportunity for pioneering evangelism, thus freeing him to move westward to Spain, with a necessary stop in Rome to seek their support for this new endeavor. The verse directly contrasts his current completion of work in established areas with his desire for new, unevangelized territories. Historically, this aligns with Paul's calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles, which propelled him to regions without previous Christian influence. The strategic wisdom of this approach meant that the early apostolic resources were maximally deployed to ensure a widespread initial proclamation of Christ, rather than consolidating in already reached areas.
Romans 15 20 Word analysis
- Indeed (ἀλλ’ οὕτως, all' houtōs): This phrase serves as a strong conjunction, meaning "but in this way," "rather," or "indeed." It marks a transition, highlighting a specific, intentional manner in which Paul conducts his mission. It signals a deeply considered principle, not a casual preference.
- I have made it my ambition (φιλοτιμούμενον, philotimoumenon): From philotimeomai, literally meaning "to love honor," but in this context, it signifies "to strive earnestly," "to be ambitious for," or "to make it one's great desire." This isn't worldly ambition but a godly zeal, a driving purpose to pursue something noble for God's glory. It speaks to a deep, intentional commitment to a specific missionary strategy.
- to preach the gospel (εὐαγγελίζεσθαι, euangelizesthai): The core action, "to bring good news," or "to evangelize." It underscores that Paul's ultimate goal is the proclamation of the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. This is the content and purpose of his zealous ambition.
- not where (οὐχ ὅπου, ouch hopou): A strong negation indicating a deliberate geographical and spiritual boundary. Paul actively avoided certain areas. It wasn't about the place itself, but the spiritual status of the place regarding prior evangelism.
- Christ has already been named (ὠνομάσθη Χριστός, onomasthe Christos): Signifies that the name of Jesus Christ, as Messiah and Lord, had been publicly proclaimed and likely, at least one Christian community had been established. "Named" here means acknowledged, confessed, and made known through teaching.
- lest I build (ἵνα μὴ ... οἰκοδομῶ, hina mē... oikodomō): A purpose clause indicating Paul's preventative motive. He wishes to avoid a certain outcome. Oikodomō means "to build," often used metaphorically for spiritual edification or founding a church.
- on someone else’s foundation (ἐπ’ ἀλλότριον θεμέλιον, ep' allotrion themelion): Allotrion means "belonging to another," "another's." Themelion means "foundation" in the architectural sense. This is a vivid metaphor for the initial groundwork of ministry – establishing the first Christian presence, the first witness to Christ in a given area. Paul explicitly sought not to expand or reinforce work already initiated by another apostle or missionary.
Word Groups Analysis:
- "Indeed, I have made it my ambition to preach the gospel": This phrase highlights Paul's fervent, deliberate dedication to evangelism. It portrays him as a man driven by a divinely implanted passion, channeled specifically towards proclaiming the Good News. This was not a passive observation but an active, zealous pursuit central to his identity and mission.
- "not where Christ has already been named": This clause clarifies the specific methodology of Paul's mission. His ambition was not merely to preach, but to preach in areas devoid of an established Christian witness. This demarcates his primary target audience and geographical scope, underscoring his role as a pioneering apostle. The naming of Christ implies a prior successful mission that laid basic groundwork.
- "lest I build on someone else’s foundation": This provides the theological and practical rationale behind Paul's strategic choice. The metaphor of a foundation emphasizes the crucial, initial work of establishing Christianity in a new place. By avoiding others' foundations, Paul ensured that his labor contributed uniquely to the spread of the gospel, rather than duplicating efforts or creating potential friction. It showcases a respect for the calling and work of other apostles and a focus on opening new frontiers.
Romans 15 20 Bonus section
Paul's strong emphasis on not building on another's foundation also subtly underscores the authority of the original foundation layer, recognizing and valuing the primary apostolic work in a given region. His approach exemplifies a principled, methodical understanding of evangelism that sought to cover as much ground as possible. This was not about personal glory in avoiding others' work, but about kingdom expansion and wise stewardship of divine commission and limited human resources. It models a collaborative yet distinctly-focused missionary enterprise, where individual callings coalesce into a global impact. His ambition, rooted in a "love for honor" for Christ and His kingdom, pushed the boundaries of the known Christian world.
Romans 15 20 Commentary
Romans 15:20 articulates Paul’s unique apostolic strategy: to be a gospel pioneer, evangelizing regions entirely new to the Christian message. His "ambition" was a spiritual zeal to initiate new work rather than build upon the established foundations of other laborers. This was not about rivalry, but strategic efficiency and maximum gospel reach. Paul saw his commission as being distinctively frontier-oriented, ensuring that the initial proclamation of Christ penetrated virgin territories. This methodology reflects both a humility in respecting the spheres of other apostles and a bold vision to take the gospel to "the ends of the earth," fulfilling prophetic anticipation (Isa 52:15). It highlights the importance of discerning one's specific calling within the larger mission of God, emphasizing fresh outreach over overlapping efforts, and accelerating the global spread of the gospel by targeting those who have never heard.