ROM 15:14-22

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14Now I myself have been persuaded concerning you, brothers of mine, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, being able also to admonish one another. [15:15] But more boldly I have written to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace having been given to me by God — [15:16] for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, administering the sacred service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified in the Holy Spirit. [15:17] I have therefore the boasting in Christ Jesus regarding the things pertaining to God; [15:18] for I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me unto the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and by deed, [15:19] in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit — so as for me to have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum. [15:20] Thus being ambitious to proclaim the gospel not where Christ was named, so that I may not build upon another's foundation — [15:21] but even as it has been written: "To whom it was not proclaimed concerning Him, they will behold; and those who have not heard will understand." [15:22] Therefore also I was being hindered many times from coming to you.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Roman world, the term (leitourgos) carried strong civic and religious connotations, referring to someone performing public service, often at personal expense. Paul’s use of this term to describe his role as a minister to the Gentiles would have evoked images of a benefactor or public servant, a role deeply embedded in Roman patronage systems. The phrase (hierourgounta), translated as 'administering the sacred service,' further aligns Paul’s mission with priestly duties, suggesting his work among the Gentiles is akin to offering a sacrificial offering acceptable to God. This imagery would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with Temple rituals and Gentile listeners accustomed to Roman civic-religious practices. Paul’s emphasis on the Gentiles being sanctified by the Holy Spirit reflects a radical inclusivity, challenging both Jewish purity codes and Roman ethnic hierarchies. His boasting in Christ Jesus, rather than in personal achievements, subverts the Greco-Roman honor-shame economy, redirecting glory to God.

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How other translations render this

ROM 15:14

KJV: And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
BSB: I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
Koinōnos: Now I myself have been persuaded concerning you, brothers of mine, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, being able also to admonish one another.

ROM 15:15

KJV: Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
BSB: However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
Koinōnos: But more boldly I have written to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace having been given to me by God —

ROM 15:16

KJV: That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
BSB: to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Koinōnos: for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, administering the sacred service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified in the Holy Spirit.

ROM 15:17

KJV: I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
BSB: Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
Koinōnos: I have therefore the boasting in Christ Jesus regarding the things pertaining to God;

ROM 15:18

KJV: For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
BSB: I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
Koinōnos: for I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me unto the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and by deed,

ROM 15:19

KJV: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
BSB: by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
Koinōnos: in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit — so as for me to have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum.

ROM 15:20

KJV: Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
BSB: In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone elseʼs foundation.
Koinōnos: Thus being ambitious to proclaim the gospel not where Christ was named, so that I may not build upon another's foundation —

ROM 15:21

KJV: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
BSB: Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
Koinōnos: but even as it has been written: "To whom it was not proclaimed concerning Him, they will behold; and those who have not heard will understand.

ROM 15:22

KJV: For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
BSB: That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Koinōnos: Therefore also I was being hindered many times from coming to you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ROM 15:14

of goodness:The word translated 'goodness' here refers to moral excellence and virtue, often with an emphasis on active benevolence and upright character.

ROM 15:16

a minister:The term translated 'a minister' originally referred to someone who performed a public service or duty for the community, often at their own expense, rather than a religious office holder.
administering the sacred service:The phrase 'administering the sacred service' uses a word that literally means 'to perform sacred rites' or 'to act as a priest,' highlighting the sacrificial and priestly nature of Paul's gospel ministry.

ROM 15:20

being ambitious:The word translated 'being ambitious' carries the sense of having a strong desire for honor or distinction, often implying a zealous pursuit of a goal, not necessarily in a negative way.