Romans 15 · Verse 4

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4, King James Version

Romans 15:4 in other translations

BSBFor everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
WEBFor whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
ASVFor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
YLTfor, as many things as were written before, for our instruction were written before, that through the endurance, and the exhortation of the Writings, we might have the hope.
DARBYFor as many things as have been written before have been written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
BBENow those things which were put down in writing before our time were for our learning, so that through quiet waiting and through the comfort of the holy Writings we might have hope.
WebsterFor whatever things were written formerly, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

What does Romans 15:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning--"instruction" through, &c.--"through the comfort and the patience of the Scriptures" might have hope--that is, "Think not that because such portions of Scripture relate immediately to Christ, they are inapplicable to you; for though Christ's sufferings, as a Saviour, were exclusively His own, the motives that prompted them, the spirit in which they were endured, and the general principle involved in His whole work--self-sacrifice for the good of others--furnish our most perfect and beautiful model; and so all Scripture relating to these is for our instruction; and since the duty of forbearance, the strong with the weak, requires 'patience,' and this again needs 'comfort,' all those Scriptures which tell of patience and consolation, particularly of the patience of Christ, and of the consolation which sustained Him under it, are our appointed and appropriate nutriment, ministering to us 'hope' of that blessed day when these shall no more be needed." See on Ro 4:7, Note 7. (For the same connection between "patience and hope" see on Ro 12:12, and 1Th 1:3).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. For whatsoever things, This is a general observation which struck the mind of the apostle, from the particular case which he had just specified. He had just made use of a striking passage in the Psalms to his purpose. The thought seems suddenly to have occurred to him that all the Old Testament was admirably adapted to express Christian duties and doctrine, and he therefore turned aside from his direct argument to express this sentiment. It should be read as a parenthesis.

Were written aforetime. That is, in ancient times; in the Old Testament.

For our learning. For our teaching or instruction. Not that this was the only purpose of the writings of the Old Testament, to instruct Christians; but that all the Old Testament might be useful now in illustrating and enforcing the doctrines and duties of piety towards God and man.

Through patience. This does not mean, as our translation might seem to suppose, patience of the Scriptures; but it means, that by patiently enduring sufferings, in connexion with the consolation which the Scriptures furnish, we might have hope. The tendency of patience, the apostle tells us, (Rom 5:4,) is to produce hope. Rom 5:4.

And comfort of the Scriptures. By means of the consolation which the writings of the Old Testament furnish. The word rendered comfort means also exhortation or admonition. If this is its meaning here, it refers to the admonitions which the Scriptures suggest, instructions which they impart, and the exhortations to patience in trials. If it means comfort, then the reference is to the examples of the saints in affliction; to their recorded expressions of confidence in God in their trials, as of Job, Daniel, David, etc. Which is the precise meaning of the word here, it is not easy to determine.

Might have hope. Rom 5:4. We may learn here,

(1.) that afflictions may prove to be a great blessing.

(2.) That the proper tendency is to produce hope.

(3.) That the way to find support in afflictions is to go to the Bible. By the example of the ancient saints, by the expression of their confidence in God, by their patience, we may learn to suffer, and may not only be instructed, but may find comfort in all our trials. See the example of Paul himself in 2Cor 1:3-11.

(g) "whatsoever things" 1Cor 10:11, 2Ti 3:16,17

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime - This refers not only to the quotation from the 69th Psalm, but to all the Old Testament scriptures; for it can be to no other scriptures that the apostle alludes. And, from what he says here of them, we learn that God had not intended them merely for those generations in which they were first delivered, but for the instruction of all the succeeding generations of mankind. That we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures - that we, through those remarkable examples of patience exhibited by the saints and followers of God, whose history is given in those scriptures, and the comfort which they derived from God in their patient endurance of sufferings brought upon them through their faithful attachment to truth and righteousness, might have hope that we shall be upheld and blessed as they were, and our sufferings become the means of our greater advances in faith and holiness, and consequently our hope of eternal glory be the more confirmed. Some think that the word παρακλησις, which we translate comfort, should be rendered exhortation; but there is certainly no need here to leave the usual acceptation of the term, as the word comfort makes a regular and consistent sense with the rest of the verse.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 15:1-7

Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed…

Read the full comment on Romans 15:1-7 →

Romans 15:4 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.

ὅσαhosaAs much asG3745
γὰρgarforG1063
προεγράφηproegraphēwas written in the pastG4270
εἰςeisforG1519
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ἡμετέρανhēmeteranour ownG1473
διδασκαλίανdidaskalianinstructionG1319
ἐγράφη,egraphēwas written,G1125
ἵναinaso thatG2443
διὰdiathroughG1223
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
ὑπομονῆςhupomonēsenduranceG5281
καὶkaiandG2532
διὰdiathroughG1223
τῆςtēstheG3588
παρακλήσεωςparaklēseōsencouragementG3874
τῶνtōnof theG3588
γραφῶνgraphōnScripturesG1124
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ἐλπίδαelpidahopeG1680
ἔχωμεν.¶echōmenwe may have.G2192

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

Cross references for Romans 15:4

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  • Romans 4:23-24

    Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

  • 2 Peter 1:20-21

    Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

  • Hebrews 10:35-36

    Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

  • Romans 12:12

    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

  • Romans 8:24-25

    For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • Romans 5:3-5

    And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  • James 5:7-11

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. …

  • Psalms 119:81-83

    כ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whatsoever.
4:23,24; 1Co 9:9,10; 10:11; 2Ti 3:16,17; 2Pe 1:20,21
for our learning.Rather, "for our instruction."
that.
5:3-5; 8:24,25; 12:12; Ps 119:81-83; Heb 6:10-19; 10:35,36
Jas 5:7-11; 1Pe 1:13

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

Context

  • Romans 15:3

    For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

  • Romans 15:4

    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

  • Romans 15:5

    Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Read all of Romans 15

Romans 15:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque las cosas que antes fueron escritas, para nuestra enseñanza fueron escritas; para que por la paciencia, y por la consolación de las Escrituras, tengamos esperanza.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car toutes les choses qui ont été écrites auparavant ont été écrites pour notre instruction, afin que, par la patience et par la consolation des écritures, nous ayons espérance.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn alles, was zuvor geschrieben ist, ist zu unserer Belehrung geschrieben, auf daß wir durch das Ausharren und durch die Ermunterung der Schriften die Hoffnung haben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quæcumque enim scripta sunt, ad nostram doctrinam scripta sunt: ut per patientiam, et consolationem Scripturarum, spem habeamus.