Romans 15:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God

NIV: Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me

NASB: But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God,

CSB: Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God

NLT: Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace,

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,

NKJV: Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,

In the previous verse, Paul wrote that he understood the Roman Christians to be full of goodness and knowledge. Still, he now says, he has written to them boldly. Indeed, Romans is a long letter that teaches both powerful truth and practical direction about how to live. The Roman Christians were full of goodness and knowledge, but they obviously had room to add more and more specific knowledge, as well as room to act with even more self-sacrificing goodness.

Paul says that he has written to remind them of what they already know. To the extent that is true, Paul reveals the value for all of us who study the Bible. We may already be doing well, including good works, and understanding much of what God wants us to know, but we study God's Word because we have much more to learn and much more good to do.

Who is Paul to be the one to write to them about all there is to know and do in Christ? Paul describes his role in a long series of phrases that reveal his authority to represent Christ to them in this letter, beginning here and concluding in the following verse.

First, Paul insists that he writes to them by God's grace, not by his own merits. All his authority as an apostle and teacher comes from God, not from the excellence of his own mind or study or achievements.

Romans 15:14–21 begins with Paul's assurance to the Roman Christians that, though he has been bold in instructing them, he knows that they are full of goodness and knowledge. His mission from God is to preach the gospel to the Gentiles who have never heard it before. He is proud of the work that Christ has accomplished through him in bringing Gentiles to faith in Christ. He knows Christ has done this through the power of miraculous signs and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15 begins with Paul's encouragement to those strong in faith: to please other Christians before themselves so the church can be unified. Christ came to fulfill God's promises to Israel and about the Gentiles. Paul is satisfied with the faith and practice of the Roman Christians. His work of taking the gospel to unreached regions of Gentiles in his part of the world is completed, and he longs to come see them. First, he must deliver financial aid to Jerusalem, a trip about which he asks them to pray along with him.

Romans 15 concludes Paul's teaching that those strong in faith ought to sacrifice their own desires to live in harmony with other believers. Paul shows that God always planned to welcome the Gentile nations, and his mission is to introduce Gentiles to the message of salvation by faith in Christ. He longs to visit the Christians in Rome and plans to do so as soon as he delivers financial aid to poor Christian Jews in Jerusalem. He begins Romans 16 by greeting many friends and acquaintances in Rome by name, as part of a drawn-out ending to this letter.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.