Romans 15 · Verse 31

Romans 15:31

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
Romans 15:31, King James Version

Romans 15:31 in other translations

BSBPray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
WEBthat I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
ASVthat I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judæa, and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
YLTthat I may be delivered from those not believing in Judea, and that my ministration, that is for Jerusalem, may become acceptable to the saints;
DARBYthat I may be saved from those that do not believe in Judaea; and that my ministry which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
BBESo that I may be kept safe from those in Judaea who have not put themselves under the rule of God, and that the help which I am taking for Jerusalem may be pleasing to the saints;
WebsterThat I may be delivered from them in Judea who do not believe; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem, may be acceptable to the saints;

What does Romans 15:31 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
31. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe--"that do not obey," that is, the truth, by believing it; as in Ro 2:8. in Judea--He saw the storm that was gathering over him in Judea, which, if at all, would certainly burst upon his head when he reached the capital; and the event too clearly showed the correctness of these apprehensions. and that my service which I have for Jerusalem--(See on Ro 15:25-28). may be accepted of--"prove acceptable to" the saints--Nor was he without apprehension lest the opposition he had made to the narrow jealousy of the Jewish converts against the free reception of their Gentile brethren, should make this gift of theirs to the poor saints at Jerusalem less welcome than it ought to be. He would have the Romans therefore to join him in wrestling with God that this gift might be gratefully received, and prove a cement between the two parties. But further.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 31. That I may be, etc. The unbelieving Jews in Judea had been opposed to Paul's conversion. They could not forget that he had borne letters of commission from them to persecute the Christians at Damascus. They regarded him as an apostate. They had heard of his success among the Gentiles; and they had been informed that he "taught all the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake the laws of Moses," Acts 21:21. Hence the apostle could not but be aware that, in returning to Judea, he exposed himself to peculiar dangers. His fears, as the result showed, were well founded. They evinced all the opposition to him which he had ever anticipated, Acts 21:21.

And that my service. My ministry; or the act of service which I am going to perform for them; referring to the contribution which he was bearing for the poor saints at Jerusalem.

For Jerusalem. For the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

May be accepted of the saints. That the poor Christians there may be willing to receive it. The grounds of doubt and hesitation, whether they would be willing to receive this, seem to have been two:

(1.) Many, even among Christians, might have had their minds filled with prejudice against the apostle, from the reports constantly in circulation among the Jews, that he was opposing and denouncing the customs of Moses. Hence, in order to satisfy them, when he went up to Jerusalem, he actually performed a vow, in accordance with the law of Moses, to show that he did not intend to treat his laws with contempt, Acts 21:22,23,26,27.

(2.) Many of the converts from Judaism might be indisposed to receive an offering made by Gentiles. They might have retained many of their former feelings--that the Gentiles were polluted, and that they ought to have no fellowship with them. Early opinions and prejudices wear off by slow degrees. Christians retain former notions long after their conversion; and often many years are required to teach them enlarged views of Christian charity. It is not wonderful that the Christians in Judea should have been slow to learn all the ennobling lessons of Christian benevolence, surrounded as they were by the institutions of the Jewish religion, and having been themselves educated in the strictest regard for those institutions.

(o) "that I may be delivered" 2Thes 3:2 (1) "do not believe" or, "are disobedient"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe - He knew that his countrymen, who had not received the Gospel, lay in wait for his life; and, no doubt, they thought they should do God service by destroying him, not only as an apostate, in their apprehension, from the Jewish religion, but as one who was labouring to subvert and entirely destroy it. And that my service - Διακονια. But several eminent MSS. read δωροφορια, the gift which I bear. This probably was a gloss, which in many MSS. subverted the word in the text; for διακονια, service, in its connection here, could refer to nothing else but the contribution which he was carrying to the poor saints at Jerusalem.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 15:30-33

Let us learn to value the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous. How careful should we be, lest we forfeit our interest in the love and prayers of God's praying people! If we have experienced the Spirit's love, let us not be wanting in this office of kindness for others. Those that would prevail in prayer, must strive in prayer. Those who beg the prayers of others, must not neglect to pray for themselves. And…

Read the full comment on Romans 15:30-33 →

Romans 15:31 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.

ἵναinaso thatG2443
ῥυσθῶrhusthōI may be deliveredG4506
ἀπὸapofromG575
τῶνtōnthoseG3588
ἀπειθούντωνapeithountōnrefusing to be persuadedG544
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēa<the>G3588
ἸουδαίᾳIoudaiaJudeaG2449
καὶkaiandG2532
ἵναinaso thatG2443
ἡhētheG3588
διακονίαdiakoniaserviceG1248
μουmouof mineG3165
ἡhēwhich [is]G3588
εἰςeisinG1519
ἸερουσαλὴμIerousalēmJerusalemG2419
εὐπρόσδεκτοςeuprosdektosacceptableG2144
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἁγίοιςhagioissaintsG40
γένηται,genētaimay becomeG1096

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

Cross references for Romans 15:31

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:2

    And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:4

    Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

  • Romans 15:25

    But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1

    For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

  • Acts 21:17-31

    And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: …

  • Acts 25:2

    Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

  • Acts 22:24

    The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:15

    Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

  • Acts 25:24

    And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

  • Acts 24:1-9

    And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. …

  • Acts 23:12-24

    And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. …

  • 2 Timothy 3:11

    Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I may.
Ac 21:27-31; 22:24; 23:12-24; 24:1-9; 25:2,24; 1Th 2:15; 2Th 3:2
do not believe. or, are disobedient. and that.
25; 2Co 8:4; 9:1
accepted.
Ac 21:17-26

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

Context

  • Romans 15:30

    Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  • Romans 15:31

    That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

  • Romans 15:32

    That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Read all of Romans 15

Romans 15:31 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que sea librado de los rebeldes que están en Judea, y que la ofrenda de mi servicio á los santos en Jerusalem sea acepta;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		afin que je sois délivré des incrédules qui sont en Judée, et que mon service que j’ai à accomplir à Jérusalem soit agréable aux saints,
German
Elberfelder 1871		auf daß ich von den Ungläubigen in Judäa errettet werde, und auf daß mein Dienst für Jerusalem den Heiligen angenehm sei;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut liberer ab infidelibus, qui sunt in Judæa, et obsequii mei oblatio accepta fiat in Jerusalem sanctis,