Romans 15:8 kjv
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Romans 15:8 nkjv
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
Romans 15:8 niv
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed
Romans 15:8 esv
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
Romans 15:8 nlt
Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.
Romans 15 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 15:8 | Christ became a servant to the circumcision... for the promise of the fathers | Confirms Old Testament promises |
| John 10:36 | Whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, to you say, ‘You speak blasphemy,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ | Jesus' divine identity |
| Galatians 3:16 | Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your seed,” of Christ. | Christ is the seed of Abraham |
| Ephesians 2:11-13 | You were... without Christ, being aliens... But now in Christ Jesus you who were once afar off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Inclusion of Gentiles |
| Acts 3:25-26 | You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. | Christ blesses Israel first |
| Psalm 18:49 | Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name. | Gentiles will praise God |
| Psalm 117:1 | O praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! | Universal praise |
| Isaiah 11:1,10 | There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse... And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse; it shall stand as a banner to the peoples; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious. | Gentiles seek Christ |
| Matthew 15:24 | But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” | Jesus' initial mission to Israel |
| Luke 1:54-55 | He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever. | God's mercy on Israel |
| Acts 2:39 | For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call. | Promise extends to all |
| 1 Corinthians 1:30 | But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— | Christ as the source of blessing |
| 2 Corinthians 1:20 | For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. | Promises fulfilled in Christ |
| Titus 2:11-14 | For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men... looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. | Grace for all through Christ |
| Philippians 2:5-8 | Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of a cross. | Christ's servanthood and humility |
| Revelation 5:9-10 | And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and language and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." | Redemption of all peoples |
| Romans 1:1-4 | Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord... | Paul as servant to the Gospel |
| Ephesians 3:6 | that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, | Gentiles are heirs with Israel |
| Jeremiah 31:33 | But this is the new covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. | The New Covenant |
| Ezekiel 36:26 | I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the stone out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh. | New heart and spirit |
Romans 15 verses
Romans 15 8 Meaning
Jesus Christ became a servant to the Jews, primarily to confirm God's promises made to the patriarchs and to enable the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy.
Romans 15 8 Context
This verse is part of a larger section (Romans 15:7-13) where Paul urges believers in Rome to accept one another, especially those who differ in their observance of traditions, by extending Christ's acceptance to them. Paul emphasizes that Christ welcomed both Jewish believers ("the circumcision") and Gentile believers. His ministry, grounded in his service, aimed at two key outcomes: affirming God's faithfulness to Israel and enabling Gentiles to experience God's mercy. This chapter addresses the practical outworking of faith in community, particularly concerning issues of differing practices and mutual acceptance.
Romans 15 8 Word analysis
- "But" (de): A conjunction indicating a contrast or a continuation, here linking this statement to the preceding one.
- "I say" (legō): "to say," "to speak," "to affirm." This highlights Paul's direct assertion.
- "that" (hoti): Introduces a subordinate clause explaining the reason or content of his statement.
- "Jesus Christ" (Iēsous Christos): Jesus, the Messiah.
- "was" (genomai): "to become," "to be made." This points to a transformation or designation.
- "minister" (hyperetēs): "subordinate," "attendant," "servant." In a spiritual sense, it denotes one who serves in a religious capacity, particularly under Christ.
- "to the circumcision" (tēs peritomēs): "the foreskin," referring symbolically to Jewish people, who were circumcised according to the Mosaic covenant. It signifies His ministry was directed toward them first.
- "that" (eis to): Indicates purpose or result, introducing the reason for Christ's ministry.
- "He might be" (einai): "to be," the infinitive of purpose.
- "a minister" (hyperetēs): Reiteration of the concept of service, emphasizing Christ's role.
- "of the promises of God" (tōn epangelias tou Theou): The pledges and covenants God made. This connects Christ's ministry to God's faithfulness to His people Israel.
- "of God" (Theou): Possessive, belonging to God.
Word group analysis:
- "Jesus Christ was a minister to the circumcision": This signifies that Jesus' earthly ministry was primarily focused on His own people, the Jews, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and God's promises to Abraham and his descendants.
- "that He might be a minister of the promises of God": This phrase underscores that Christ's coming and actions served as the concrete realization of God's sworn commitments to Israel, especially the promise of a coming Redeemer.
Romans 15 8 Bonus section
The concept of Christ as a "minister" (hyperetēs) echoes His own words in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." This verse reinforces that Jesus' entire earthly existence was an act of selfless service. The reference to "promises of God" connects to the extensive Old Testament covenant promises given to Israel, which Paul sees fulfilled in Jesus. This aspect of fulfilling the Old Testament is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, demonstrating the continuity of God's plan of salvation from Abraham through Christ.
Romans 15 8 Commentary
Paul highlights Jesus' incarnational mission. His primary role as "minister to the circumcision" directly points to His Jewish heritage and initial outreach to Israel, fulfilling divine covenants and prophecies made to Abraham and the patriarchs. This service was not exclusive but foundational. It then extended to validating God's promises to His chosen people. Consequently, this service also paved the way for Gentiles to share in God's salvation through Christ's redemptive work and the spreading of His gospel. Thus, Jesus' humble, focused ministry among His people ultimately facilitated God's broader plan of salvation for all nations, bringing glory to God by demonstrating His mercy and faithfulness.