Romans 15:27 kjv
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Romans 15:27 nkjv
It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Romans 15:27 niv
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Romans 15:27 esv
For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
Romans 15:27 nlt
They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.
Romans 15 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 15:26 | "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem." | Background to the offering |
| 1 Cor 16:1-2 | "Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I directed the Galatian churches to do." | Offering instruction |
| 2 Cor 8:1-4 | "Moreover, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a severe tribulation, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For I testify that they gave according to their ability, and even beyond their ability." | Macedonian generosity |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." | Principle of giving |
| Gal 2:10 | "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." | Apostolic concern for the poor |
| Acts 20:33-35 | "I have not silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my needs and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, by remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Paul's example of giving |
| Exod 30:11-16 | "The Lord said to Moses, 'When you take the census of the people of Israel, each one shall give a ransom for his soul to the Lord when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them.'" | Atonement and contribution |
| 1 Chron 29:1-5 | "David the king said to all the assembly, 'My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and tender, and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God.'" | Preparation for Temple building |
| Ps 41:1-3 | "Blessed is the one who considers the poor; the Lord delivers him in the day of trouble." | God’s blessing on the giver |
| Prov 19:17 | "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." | Reward for giving |
| Isa 58:7, 10 | "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him... Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." | Characteristics of true fasting |
| Jer 22:16 | "He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him. Was not this to know me? declares the Lord." | Justice for the oppressed |
| Zechariah 1:11-12 | "They responded, 'We have gone to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, the whole earth is at peace.'" (Verse 11 states the report; verse 12 indicates God's response). | Angels report on the earth's peace |
| Matt 25:35-40 | "'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" | Parable of the Sheep and Goats |
| Luke 12:33 | "Sell your possessions, and give to charity. Provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." | Heavenly treasures |
| John 13:34-35 | "'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also, | The new commandment of love |
| 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 unity and sharing |
| 1 John 3:17-18 | "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." | Practical demonstration of love |
| Gal 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." | Doing good to believers |
| Phil 4:14-18 | "Yet it was kind of you to share in my distress. And you know, Philippians yourselves, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me something once and again for my needs. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that increases to your account. I have received full payment, and more. I am overflowing, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God." | Partnership in giving |
| Eph 5:1, 2 | "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." | Christ's love as the model |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 27 Meaning
This verse speaks of the Gentile believers having fellowship with the Jewish believers in spiritual things, by contributing to the needs of the poor in Jerusalem. It's about a shared blessing and a mutual expression of love that transcends ethnic and religious divides, rooted in the spiritual reality of Christ.
Romans 15 27 Context
Chapter 15 of Romans focuses on the importance of unity within the Christian church, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul addresses issues of dietary laws and observance of special days, advocating for mutual acceptance and edification. He emphasizes that believers, regardless of their background, should bear with the "weak in faith" and live in harmony, pleasing God. This specific verse concludes the argument by illustrating this unity and mutual service through the collection being taken for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Historically, Jerusalem was a significant center of early Christianity, and many of its members faced economic hardship. This offering was a tangible expression of Christian love and solidarity from the Gentile churches.
Romans 15 27 Word Analysis
koinōnía (κοινωνίᾳ): partnership, fellowship, sharing, contribution. This Greek word signifies a deep communion and participation in something. Here it denotes the believers’ spiritual participation and shared blessing. It also carries the idea of a practical contribution or gift given out of this shared fellowship.
hymnōn (ὑμῶν): your (plural). Refers to the Gentile believers addressed by Paul.
leitourgēsai (λειτουργῆσαι): to minister, serve, perform a public service. From leitourgia, referring to public service or ministry. In a religious context, it means to serve God or His people. It emphasizes that this giving is a sacred act of worship.
ésthēsian (ἐσθήσει): goods, possessions, property. Refers to material belongings or financial resources. It's the means by which they express their fellowship.
ekklēsíā (ἐκκλησίᾳ): church, assembly. The body of believers. This highlights that the sharing is an expression of the corporate life of the church.
isín (εἰσὶν): are. Simple existence verb.
Ierousalḗm (Ἱερουσαλήμ): Jerusalem. The specific recipients of the contribution, underscoring the historical connection to Jewish Christianity.
Ioudáíōn (Ἰουδαίων): Jews. Refers to the Jewish believers, indicating the reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile believers.
Romans 15 27 Bonus Section
The offering described here was a significant initiative. Paul had been actively collecting funds from various Gentile churches to support the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. This undertaking served multiple purposes: relieving the physical needs of the poor saints, demonstrating Christian love and unity across cultural divides, and potentially easing tensions between Jewish and Gentile factions within the early church. It also became a crucial demonstration of the Gentiles’ adherence to the Gospel and their participation in God's plan, thereby silencing potential accusations from unbelieving Jews. The collection was seen as a sacred act, an offering to God, thus framing believers' practical generosity as a form of worship and obedience.
Romans 15 27 Commentary
This verse encapsulates the practical outworking of Christian fellowship. The Gentile believers had indeed shared in the spiritual blessings of the Gospel that originated from Jerusalem. In response, they were participating in a practical ministry—the offering—to their Jewish brothers and sisters. This was not merely charity but a manifestation of spiritual partnership (koinōnía). It demonstrated that the Gospel had created a new community where ethnic distinctions were superseded by a shared identity in Christ. This act of sharing possessions (ésthēsian) was a form of spiritual service (leitourgēsai) that pleased God. It’s a profound example of how the "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15) lived out their unity in tangible ways, echoing Christ's own sacrificial love.