Romans 15:20
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
Romans 15:20 in other translations
| 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 else’s foundation. |
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| WEB | yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. |
| ASV | yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; |
| YLT | and so counting it honour to proclaim good news, not where Christ was named--that upon another's foundation I might not build-- |
| DARBY | and so aiming to announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon another's foundation; |
| BBE | Making it my purpose not to take the good news where Christ was named, so that my work might not be resting on that of others; |
| Webster | And so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: |
What does Romans 15:20 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 15:18-22
18-22. For I will not dare to speak of any--"to speak aught" of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me--a modest, though somewhat obscure form of expression, meaning, "I will not dare to go beyond what Christ hath wrought by me"--in which form accordingly the rest of the passage is expressed. Observe here how Paul ascribes all the success of his labors to the activity of the living Redeemer, working in and…
Barnes' Notes
Not where Christ was named. Where the gospel had not been before preached.
Lest I should build, etc. That is, he desired to found churches himself; he regarded himself as particularly called to this. Others might be called to edify the church, but he regarded it as his office to make known the name of the Saviour where it was not before known. This work was particularly adapted to the ardour, zeal, energy, and bravery of such a man as Paul. Every man has his proper gift; and there are some particularly fitted to found and establish churches; others to edify and comfort them. Comp. 2Cor 10:13-16. The apostle chose the higher honour, involving most danger and responsibility; but still any office in building up the church is honourable.
(c) "lest I should build" 2Cor 10:13-16
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Romans 15:20 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Romans 15:20
- 2 Corinthians 10:13-16
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; …
- Ephesians 2:20-22
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 10:14-16
build.
1Co 3:9-15; 2Co 10:13-16; Eph 2:20-22
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 15:19
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.
- Romans 15:20
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
- Romans 15:21
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
Romans 15:20 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y de esta manera me esforcé á predicar el evangelio, no donde antes Cristo fuese nombrado, por no edificar sobre ajeno fundamento: |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | mais ainsi m’attachant à évangéliser, non pas là où Christ avait été prêché, (afin que je n’édifie pas sur le fondement d’autrui) |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | und mich also beeifere, das Evangelium zu predigen, nicht da, wo Christus genannt worden ist, auf daß ich nicht auf eines anderen Grund baue; |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Sic autem prædicavi Evangelium hoc, non ubi nominatus est Christus, ne super alienum fundamentum ædificarem: |