Romans 15:26 kjv
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 nkjv
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 niv
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 esv
For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 nlt
For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.
Romans 15 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 15:26 | For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. | Offering from Gentiles to Jewish believers |
| 1 Corinthians 16:1 | Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you must do. | Paul's instruction on giving |
| 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 | Moreover, brethren, we want you to know about the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia... | Macedonian generosity |
| 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 | Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your readiness... | Corinthians' readiness to give |
| Galatians 2:10 | only they asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was earnest to do. | James' request |
| Acts 24:17 | "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. | Paul's visit to Jerusalem |
| Isaiah 60:10 | "The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. | Gentiles supporting Israel |
| Zechariah 8:20-23 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'More people shall come, yes, inhabitants of many cities. ... and ten men from all the languages of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jew, saying, “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”' | Gentiles seeking God with Israel |
| Acts 11:29-30 | And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. | Relief for Judea |
| Romans 11:17-18 | If some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive tree, being yourself grafted in among them, and with them becoming a partaker of the root of the olive tree... | Gentile inclusion |
| Ephesians 2:11-22 | Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh... separated from Christ... alienated from the commonwealth of Israel... But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Gentile inclusion in Christ |
| Psalm 110:3 | Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your forces, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, along with your youth, comes the dew of your birth. | Messianic prophecy of submission |
| Acts 4:32-35 | Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. | Early church sharing |
| 1 Peter 4:8-10 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. | Mutual service |
| Hebrews 13:16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. | Pleasing God through giving |
| Philippians 4:18 | I have received full payment, and more. I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | God pleased by offerings |
| Genesis 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. | Abrahamic Covenant |
| Psalm 98:3 | He has remembered his steadfast love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. | God's salvation known globally |
| Romans 15:27 | It pleased them indeed, and indeed they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things. | Reciprocal relationship |
| Acts 20:35 | In all things I have shown you that by working thus it is necessary to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." | Jesus' teaching on giving |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 26 Meaning
The verse signifies a gracious act of God towards the Gentiles, evidenced by their participation in spiritual blessings that originated with the Jewish believers. This sharing of spiritual gifts is a fulfillment of God's promises, demonstrating unity between Jewish and Gentile believers through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15 26 Context
Romans chapter 15 continues Paul's discourse on the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers within the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual acceptance and the building up of one another, drawing heavily from Old Testament prophecy to support his arguments for a unified body of Christ. He uses the example of Christ himself, who did not please himself but served according to Scripture, to encourage believers to live in a way that pleases God and edifies others.
Specifically, verse 26 speaks to a practical expression of this unity. The Gentile believers in Macedonia and Achaia had willingly contributed to a collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. This act is presented as a fulfillment of Paul's teachings and a tangible demonstration of the spiritual unity and fellowship between these different groups. The historical context involves the need of the Jerusalem church, which faced economic hardships, and the desire of Paul to foster reconciliation and shared responsibility within the broader Christian community.
Romans 15 26 Word Analysis
- For (Gk. gar): Introduces a reason or explanation.
- Macedonia (Gk. Makedonias): A Roman province in northern Greece, where Paul established churches.
- and (Gk. kai): Connects Macedonia and Achaia, indicating both regions participated.
- Achaia (Gk. Achaïas): A Roman province in southern Greece, which included Corinth.
- were pleased (Gk. eudokēsan): Found favor, approved, willed. Denotes willing and voluntary participation.
- to make (Gk. poiesasthai): To perform, to do, to bring about. Refers to the action of making the contribution.
- a contribution (Gk. koinōnian): Fellowship, sharing, participation. Highlights the spiritual aspect of sharing.
- for (Gk. eis): Indicates the direction or purpose of the contribution.
- the poor (Gk. ptōchōn): Those in need, destitute.
- among (Gk. en): Among, within.
- the saints (Gk. hagiois): Holy ones, believers, set apart by God.
- which (Gk. hētis): Relative pronoun, referring back to the contribution.
- is (Gk. esti): The verb "to be".
- in (Gk. en): Among, within.
- Jerusalem (Gk. Ierousalem): The holy city, capital of Judea, center of early Jewish Christianity.
Words/Group Analysis:
- "Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased": Emphasizes the voluntary and cheerful giving of the Gentile churches. The choice of eudokēsan suggests a deep-seated willingness and God-inspired desire to participate.
- "to make a contribution (koinōnian)": This term is crucial. It signifies more than just a financial gift; it points to a shared fellowship and partnership in the gospel and in the body of Christ. The Gentiles are participating in the spiritual blessings through sharing their material resources.
- "for the poor among the saints which is in Jerusalem": Identifies the recipients as specific members of the church in Jerusalem who are experiencing poverty. The inclusion of "saints" underscores that they are believers, even in their need. This highlights the care and mutual responsibility within the early church, bridging cultural and ethnic divides.
Romans 15 26 Bonus Section
The offering mentioned here was a significant undertaking that Paul painstakingly organized and promoted. It served multiple purposes: alleviating poverty in the Jerusalem church, demonstrating the genuineness of Gentile conversion, fostering unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, and reinforcing Paul's apostolic authority and his care for all churches. The concept of koinōnia (fellowship, sharing) in this context is a prime example of the early church's communal life, as seen in Acts. This act of sharing was also a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the nations contributing to Israel and God's people (e.g., Isaiah 60:5-7, Zechariah 8:23). Paul's detailed instructions to the churches in Corinth and Galatia concerning this collection (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9) show its importance in his ministry for the health and unity of the church.
Romans 15 26 Commentary
This verse illustrates a practical outworking of the unity in Christ that Paul has been advocating. The Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia, through their willing contribution to the needy saints in Jerusalem, demonstrated a tangible expression of fellowship and spiritual sharing. This act of giving was not a burden but a joy (eudokēsan), mirroring the generosity that the apostle encouraged. It underscores that the blessings of the gospel are to be shared, and that all believers, regardless of background, are part of one body, with shared joys and sorrows, spiritual riches and material needs. The Gentile believers, receiving spiritual blessings from the Jewish heritage of Christianity, were reciprocating by sharing their material resources, thereby fulfilling a sense of mutual obligation and expressing a profound love and unity that transcended former divisions.