Romans 15:5

Commentary

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.”

1. Contextual Background

Romans 15[i] continues Paul’s teaching on Christian unity and mutual edification, which began in Romans 14. The immediate context is the call for believers to bear with the weaknesses of others and not to please themselves (Romans 15:1). Paul exhorts the church to imitate Christ, who did not seek His own pleasure but bore reproach for the sake of others (Romans 15:3).

Romans 15:1–3 (NKJV):
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’”

Thus, Romans 15:5 is a prayerful wish that God Himself would enable believers to live in unity, grounded in the example of Christ.

2. Exegetical Insights

a. “The God of patience and comfort”

• God is described as the source of patience (endurance) and comfort (encouragement).
• This reflects His character revealed throughout Scripture: He sustains His people in trials and encourages them through His Word and Spirit.
• The title emphasises that unity is not achieved by human effort alone but by divine grace.

b. “Grant you to be like-minded toward one another”

• The Greek term to auto phronein means “to think the same thing.”
• This does not mean uniformity of opinion on every matter, but a shared orientation of mind and heart toward Christ.
• Unity is relational, not merely intellectual; it is grounded in love and humility.

c. “According to Christ Jesus”

• The standard and model of unity is Christ Himself.
• Believers are called to reflect His selflessness and sacrificial love.
• Unity is not pragmatic or cultural but theological: it flows from union with Christ.

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3. Theological Teaching

• Christ-centred unity: The church’s unity is not based on human consensus but on conformity to Christ.
• God’s enabling grace: True patience and comfort come from God, not from human resolve.
• Mutual edification: The strong bear with the weak, and all seek the good of one another.
• Mission focus: Unity glorifies God and strengthens the church’s witness to the world (Romans 15:6).

Romans 15:6 (NKJV):
“That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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4. Meditation Guide

a. Reflection Questions

• Do I seek to please myself, or do I bear with the weaknesses of others?
• In what ways am I imitating Christ’s selflessness in my relationships?
• Am I relying on God’s patience and comfort, or on my own strength?

b. Prayer Focus

• Pray for God to grant patience and comfort in times of relational tension.
• Ask for a Christ-centred mindset that seeks unity in the church.
• Pray for the church to glorify God with one voice.

c. Practical Application

• In the church: Actively seek reconciliation and unity, especially across cultural or generational divides.
• In the family: Model patience and encouragement, reflecting Christ’s love.
• In society: Demonstrate unity and humility as a witness to the gospel.

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[i] Romans 15

New King James Version

Bearing Others’ Burdens

15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glorify God Together

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 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, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.”

10 And again he says:

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”

11 And again:

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!”

12 And again, Isaiah says:

“There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:

“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand.”

Plan to Visit Rome

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.