Romans 15 5

Romans 15:5 kjv

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Romans 15:5 nkjv

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:5 niv

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

Romans 15:5 esv

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:5 nlt

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 5 Meaning

This verse is a fervent prayer from the Apostle Paul, asking God to enable believers in Rome to live in unity and harmony. It underscores that the capacity for this shared disposition, mutual understanding, and accord within the community originates from God, specifically drawing upon His character as the "God of patience and comfort." The prayer establishes Christ Jesus as both the ultimate standard and the empowering example for this unity, urging believers to align their thoughts and actions with His selfless model, fostering practical unity amidst diverse beliefs and practices within the Christian community.

Romans 15 5 Context

Immediate Chapter Context: Romans chapters 14 and 15 meticulously address the delicate issues of Christian liberty and conscience, particularly within a community composed of "strong" and "weak" believers. These distinctions often arose from practices like dietary restrictions (meat-eating versus vegetarianism, sometimes linked to idol meat) and the observance of specific religious days. Paul's overarching message is to advocate for mutual acceptance, forbearance, and building one another up rather than engaging in judgment or causing others to stumble due to differing convictions on non-essential matters. Verse 15:5 acts as a pivotal prayer within this discourse, signifying that the desired ideal of unity and harmonious living, which Paul has been vigorously promoting, is ultimately a divinely-granted enablement rather than solely a product of human effort or agreement.

Historical/Cultural Context: The church in Rome was a diverse body, comprised of both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, each carrying their distinct cultural traditions, theological understandings, and historical baggage. Jewish Christians often maintained elements of Mosaic Law observance (e.g., kashrut, Sabbath), while Gentile Christians celebrated their newfound freedom from such laws in Christ. This cultural and theological intersection created significant potential for friction, judgment, and schism. Paul’s letter, including this verse, emphasizes that unity should not be achieved through rigid conformity to secondary issues, but through sacrificial love, grace-filled edification, and the Christ-like acceptance of one another, acknowledging that God welcomes all who sincerely believe, irrespective of their non-essential practices.

Romans 15 5 Word analysis

• Now: (δὲ, de). This particle functions as a transition, introducing Paul's prayer and signaling a move from his prior exhortations to invoking God's direct intervention, thereby emphasizing the divine necessity for the unity he desires for them.
• may the God: (Ὁ Θεὸς, Ho Theos). Refers specifically to the one true God. The definite article highlights God as the supreme, unique, and powerful entity to whom this prayer is addressed and from whom such a profound gift must originate.
• of patience: (τῆς ὑπομονῆς, tēs hypomonēs). Signifies "steadfastness," "endurance," "perseverance." This is not merely passive waiting but an active, determined capacity to endure under trial and adversity, even in interpersonal relations. God embodies and supplies this resilience, having Himself endured humanity's shortcomings.
• and comfort: (καὶ παρακλήσεως, kai paraklēseōs). Meaning "consolation," "encouragement," "exhortation." God is the ultimate source of solace and strength. The Holy Spirit is known as the Parakletos, signifying divine presence and active support alongside His people. Both patience and comfort are crucial for communal harmony, allowing believers to bear with and uplift each other.
• grant you: (δῴη ὑμῖν, dōē hymin). "May He give you," "may He bestow upon you." This verb is in the optative mood, expressing a fervent wish or prayer, strongly indicating that the desired unity is a supernatural gift, a divine endowment, rather than solely a result of human will or strategy.
• to be of the same mind: (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν, to auto phronein). Literally "to think the same thing," but in this context it means to have a shared outlook, attitude, disposition, or purpose. It points to a spiritual unity of heart and purpose, fostering respect and shared ambition for God's glory, rather than requiring identical opinions on every secondary matter. It emphasizes ethical and relational accord over intellectual uniformity.
• with one another: (ἐν ἀλλήλοις, en allēlois). Highlights the relational aspect of this unity; it's a mutual, reciprocal harmony exercised within the community, fostering interdependency and shared commitment.
• according to: (κατὰ, kata). This preposition establishes the benchmark, standard, and pattern for the unity Paul prays for. It signifies that the believers' shared mindset must conform to, align with, and be consistent with this standard.
• Christ Jesus: (Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, Christon Iēsoun). The Messiah, the Anointed One, Jesus the Savior. He is the ultimate model for self-sacrifice, humble service, loving acceptance, and enduring patience. Our unity must be shaped by His character, guided by His teachings, and enabled by His empowering Spirit, making Him the source, example, and measure of true Christian unity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The God of patience and comfort: This profound description of God's character is crucial. It directly connects God's intrinsic attributes—His boundless capacity for long-suffering and His limitless power to console and encourage—to His ability to instill these very qualities in His children. For the Roman church, struggling with internal divisions, invoking this aspect of God’s nature affirms that the remedy for their discord lies in appealing to the divine source of perseverance and comfort, which are essential for interpersonal tolerance and support.
• Grant you to be of the same mind with one another: This phrase captures the essence of Paul’s petition: a supernaturally endowed unity among believers. It acknowledges that human effort alone is insufficient to forge such profound communal harmony. "Being of the same mind" doesn't demand identical opinions on every issue, but rather a shared fundamental attitude, a Christ-like disposition of humility, love, and a common goal of building up one another within the body. This common spiritual focus leads to mutual acceptance and support, fostering practical unity in action.
• According to Christ Jesus: This establishes the indispensable criterion and empowering means for all Christian unity. It ensures that the unity sought is not based on worldly standards, cultural conformity, or superficial agreement, but is fundamentally rooted in the person, sacrificial example, teachings, and transformative power of Jesus Christ. To be "according to Christ Jesus" means that believers' unity reflects His selfless love, His patience with human weakness, and His overarching purpose of glorifying God by seeking the well-being and salvation of others.

Romans 15 5 Bonus section

• Optative Mood Significance: The choice of the optative mood for dōē (grant) underscores the profound reliance on God's divine action. It indicates that such deep communal unity, especially amidst the theological and cultural tensions present in Rome, is beyond mere human strategy or resolution. It must be sought and received as a direct gift from God, reinforcing that the spiritual state of the church is primarily dependent on God's grace and enabling power.
• Implicit Trinitarian Dynamics: While addressed to "the God of patience and comfort" (referring to God the Father), this prayer subtly hints at Trinitarian involvement. The term paraklēsis (comfort) strongly evokes the role of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete or Comforter), who unifies believers. The entire endeavor is to be "according to Christ Jesus" (God the Son), who is the standard and the means for this unity. This shows that the achievement of unity within the Body of Christ involves the active participation and resources of all three persons of the Godhead.
• Ethical Aspect of Phronein: In Pauline theology, phronein (to be of the same mind) frequently carries a significant ethical dimension. It implies a shared moral and spiritual disposition, a common pattern of thinking that leads to Christ-like behavior. Therefore, the prayer isn't just for intellectual agreement, but for a profound alignment in ethical living, mutual love, and spiritual priorities, fostering a unity that is manifested in actions of humility, service, and building one another up, consistent with the broader call in Romans 12:1-2 to be transformed by the renewal of the mind.

Romans 15 5 Commentary

Romans 15:5 presents a powerful, concise prayer from Paul, highlighting the divine origin of true Christian unity. He appeals to God as the "God of patience and comfort," emphasizing that the very qualities needed to overcome discord within a diverse community—the capacity to patiently bear with others' differences and to offer mutual encouragement—are inherent to God's character and freely bestowed by Him. The object of this prayer is for believers to be "of the same mind," implying not uniform thought on every minor point, but a shared attitude and purpose centered on love, humility, and the advancement of God's kingdom. Crucially, this unity is to be "according to Christ Jesus," meaning it finds its blueprint, empowerment, and ultimate purpose in Christ's selfless life, sacrificial death, and Spirit-given strength. Thus, Paul shows that authentic, durable Christian unity is both a divine gift and a Christ-modeled endeavor, demanding both prayerful dependence on God and practical emulation of Christ's example.

• Examples: In a local assembly where believers hold differing views on eschatology (e.g., timing of the Rapture), being of the "same mind according to Christ Jesus" means they patiently listen to each other's perspectives, offer comfort instead of judgment, and, despite theological distinctions, prioritize their shared mission of loving God and people, actively demonstrating unity in worship, service, and outreach, as Christ prioritized loving and serving without division.