Romans 15 · Verse 17

Romans 15:17

I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Romans 15:17, King James Version

Romans 15:17 in other translations

BSBTherefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
WEBI have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
ASVI have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
YLTI have, then, a boasting in Christ Jesus, in the things pertaining to God,
DARBYI have therefore whereof to boast in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
BBESo I have pride in Christ Jesus in the things which are God's.
WebsterI have therefore cause for glorying through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God.

What does Romans 15:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. I have therefore whereof I may glory--or (adding the article, as the reading seems to be), "I have my glorying." through--"in" Christ Jesus in those things which pertain to God--the things of the ministry committed to me of God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. I have therefore, etc. I have cause of glorying. I have cause of rejoicing that God has made me a minister to the Gentiles, and that he has given me such success among them. The ground of this he states in Rom 15:18-22.

Glory. Of boasting, (καυχησιν the word usually rendered boasting,) Jas 4:16, Rom 3:27, 2Cor 7:14, 8:24, 9:3,4, 10:15, 11:10,17. It means also praise, thanksgiving, and joy, 1Cor 15:31, 2Cor 1:12, 7:4, 8:24, 1Thes 2:19 This is its meaning here, that the apostle had great cause of rejoicing or praise that he had been so highly honoured in the appointment to this office, and in his success in it.

Through Jesus Christ. By the assistance of Jesus Christ; ascribing his success among the Gentiles to the aid which Jesus Christ had rendered him.

In those things which pertain to God. Comp. Heb 5:1. The things of religion; the things which God has commanded, and which pertain to his honour and glory. They were not things which pertained to Paul, but to God; not wrought by Paul, but by Jesus Christ; yet he might rejoice that he had been the means of diffusing so far those blessings. The success of a minister is not for his own praises, but for the honour of God; not by his skill or power, but by the aid of Jesus Christ; yet he may rejoice that through him such blessings are conferred on men.

(x) "glory through Jesus Christ" 2Cor 12:1 (y) "which pertain to God" Heb 5:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 I here therefore whereof I may glory - Being sent of God on this most honorable and important errand, I have matter of great exultation, not only in the honor which he has conferred upon me, but in the great success with which he has crowned my ministry.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 15:14-21

The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can…

Read the full comment on Romans 15:14-21 →

Romans 15:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἜχωEchōI haveG2192
οὖνounthereforeG3767
καύχησινkauchēsinboastingG2746
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
τὰtathe [things]G3588
πρὸςprospertaining toG4314
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν·theonGod;G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 15:17

  • 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

    Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

  • 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

    I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. …

  • 2 Corinthians 7:4

    Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

  • Hebrews 5:1

    For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

  • Philippians 3:3

    For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:1

    It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

    And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:16-30

    I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. …

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

  • Romans 4:2

    For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whereof.
4:2; 2Co 2:14-16; 3:4-6; 7:4; 11:16-30; 12:1,11-21
in.
Heb 5:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 15:16

    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.

  • Romans 15:17

    I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

  • Romans 15:18

    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,

Read all of Romans 15

Romans 15:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Tengo, pues, de qué gloriarme en Cristo Jesús en lo que mira á Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		J’ai donc de quoi me glorifier dans le christ Jésus, dans les choses qui concernent Dieu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich habe also etwas zum Rühmen in Christo Jesu in den Dingen, die Gott angehen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Habeo igitur gloriam in Christo Jesu ad Deum.