Romans 15:7 kjv
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 nkjv
Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 niv
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7 esv
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 nlt
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Romans 15 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 14:1 | "Welcome anyone who is weak in faith..." | Emphasizes welcoming those with differing convictions. |
| Ephesians 4:2 | "...bearing with one another in love." | Encourages patience and forbearance within the body of Christ. |
| Ephesians 4:32 | "Be kind and compassionate to one another..." | Underscores the attitude of kindness and compassion central to acceptance. |
| Colossians 3:13 | "Bear with each other and forgive one another..." | Links acceptance with forgiveness, a key aspect of Christ's acceptance of believers. |
| Philippians 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit..." | Contrasts self-serving attitudes with humility, which is essential for true acceptance. |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received..." | Highlights the diverse gifts within the church, which necessitate mutual acceptance despite differences. |
| John 13:34 | "A new command I give you: Love one another..." | Connects acceptance with Christ's new commandment of love. |
| Romans 12:4 | "For just as each of us has one body with many members..." | Illustrates the church as a body with diverse members who need each other and should function harmoniously. |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile..." | Points to the removal of distinctions that would hinder acceptance among believers. |
| Acts 4:32 | "All the believers were one in heart and mind." | Shows the early church as an example of unity and shared acceptance. |
| Romans 15:1 | "We who are strong ought to put up with the failings..." | Sets the stage for acceptance, specifically addressing the strong accommodating the weak. |
| Romans 15:2 | "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good..." | Reinforces the idea of pleasing others for their spiritual benefit, a form of acceptance. |
| Romans 14:3 | "For Christ did not accept only those who ate..." | Uses Christ's own example to demonstrate that acceptance transcends specific practices. |
| Romans 15:5 | "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement..." | A prayer that mirrors the sentiment of mutual encouragement that comes from acceptance. |
| Romans 15:9 | "...for the sake of God's mercy I also accepted you." | A direct statement of the basis for acceptance, rooted in God's mercy. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name..." | A plea for unity and absence of divisions, which acceptance helps to achieve. |
| Philippians 2:14 | "Do everything without grumbling or arguing..." | The manner in which believers should conduct themselves, fostering an atmosphere of acceptance. |
| 1 John 4:7 | "Dear friends, let us love one another..." | Another command to love, reinforcing the inseparable link between love and acceptance. |
| Romans 14:13 | "Therefore let us stop passing judgment..." | Directly addresses the opposite of acceptance: judgment. |
| Romans 15:6 | "so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify..." | States the ultimate goal of unity and mutual acceptance: God's glory. |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 7 Meaning
Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. This verse is a foundational principle for Christian community. It calls for unconditional acceptance and welcoming of fellow believers, regardless of their background, spiritual maturity, or differences in understanding. This mutual acceptance is not merely a social courtesy but a Christ-like imitation, aimed at glorifying God.
Romans 15 7 Context
Romans chapter 15 addresses the issue of "strong" versus "weak" believers, particularly concerning dietary laws and differing interpretations of traditions in the early church. The "strong" were those who understood that such practices were no longer binding under the new covenant, while the "weak" were still bound by conscience, often stemming from Jewish customs. Paul's exhortation in verse 7 follows a discussion urging the strong to bear with the infirmities of the weak, to please them for their good to build them up (Romans 15:1-2). He then points to Christ's self-denying example as the ultimate model for their behavior (Romans 15:3).
The historical context involves the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers in the Roman church, leading to inevitable cultural and religious differences. Disagreements over what was permissible to eat or certain holy days created disunity. Paul's aim is to promote unity and mutual edification within the church, reminding them that their common faith in Christ and His acceptance of them should be the unifying factor, superseding these differences.
Romans 15 7 Word Analysis
“Hosten” (Proslambano) - Greek verb meaning "to receive," "to welcome," "to take to oneself," or "to accept." It implies an active, warm, and intentional welcome. In classical Greek, it could mean to enlist troops or to take someone into one's household. Theologically, it speaks to God's welcoming of humanity through Christ.
“Hymas” (Hymas) - Greek pronoun, plural form of "you." It refers to the community of believers addressed in the letter.
“Os” (Hos) - Greek relative pronoun, "as" or "in the same way that." This establishes a parallel between the believers' acceptance of one another and Christ's acceptance of them.
“Kai” (Kai) - Greek conjunction, meaning "and" or "also."
“Christos” (Christos) - Greek for "Christ," the Messiah.
“Is” (Estin) - Greek verb "to be."
“Hymas” (Hymas) - Again, the plural "you," emphasizing that Christ accepted them as a collective group.
“Eis” (Eis) - Greek preposition, "unto," "into," "for," indicating purpose or result.
“Doxan” (Doxan) - Greek for "glory," "magnificence," "praise," "honor." It refers to God's inherent splendor and worth.
“Tou” (Tou) - Greek definite article, masculine genitive singular, "of the."
“Theou” (Theou) - Greek for "God."
Word-Group Analysis:
- “Proslambano hymas” (Accept you) - This phrase is foundational. It is not about mere tolerance but active embrace. It mirrors God's prior acceptance of us.
- “Hos kai Christos estin hymas” (as Christ also accepted you) - This is the standard for acceptance. It means accepting believers with the same spirit of grace, mercy, and unconditional love that Christ showed to all, including those who were flawed and struggling.
- “Eis doxan tou Theou” (for the glory of God) - The purpose clause. This is not for human pride or unity for its own sake, but for the ultimate goal of God's honor. When believers reflect Christ’s love by accepting one another, God is glorified.
Romans 15 7 Bonus Section
The verb proslambano (accept) used here echoes its usage in the Greek Old Testament (LXX), particularly when God accepts sacrifices or individuals. It carries a sense of divine favor and appropriation. In the context of Romans, Paul is grounding the believers' reciprocal acceptance in God's foundational act of accepting them in Christ. This means the "acceptance" isn't just social but a reflection of our new identity in Christ, which is grounded in God's grace. The verse links corporate behavior to a specific theological reality: Christ's acceptance. It is also a fulfillment of Old Testament commands to love one's neighbor and to show hospitality. The unity produced by such acceptance is vital for the testimony of the church, as Jesus prayed in John 17:21: "that they may all be one... so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Romans 15 7 Commentary
This verse is a powerful call to action for the church. It teaches that acceptance is not optional but mandatory for all believers. We are to receive fellow Christians into our lives and fellowship with the same open-hearted grace that Christ extended to us, despite our shortcomings and sinfulness. This is the tangible outworking of Christ’s work in us. It means overcoming personal preferences, prejudices, and judgments. Our acceptance of each other becomes a demonstration of God's glorious character to the world. True Christian unity is built on this Christ-like acceptance, leading to the unified praise of God.
Practical Example: A church member who has had past struggles might be a target of gossip or exclusion. The instruction is to welcome them, offer support, and see them as Christ sees them – forgiven and accepted.
Practical Example: Differences in opinions on secondary matters (e.g., church practices, traditions) should not become barriers to fellowship. We must prioritize love and unity over rigid adherence to personal views.