Devine Scripture

Romans 15:4

What does Romans 15:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 15:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 15:4 means

Paul explains why the older Scriptures matter for Christians. Everything written beforehand was given for our instruction, so that through the endurance they inspire and the comfort they provide, we might have real hope. The Word anchors us when tensions in the church test patience. By showing God’s faithfulness across ages, Scripture steadies our resolve to love and reminds us of the future God promises. Hope grows where truth feeds perseverance and encouragement. In conflicts over disputable matters, the Bible does more than inform; it sustains and consoles, directing believers to the God who keeps His promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now 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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for, 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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For 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.

Context

Having cited Scripture about Christ’s self-denial (v.3), Paul widens the point: all Scripture equips believers with endurance and encouragement leading to hope (v.4). This frames the coming prayer in verses 5–6, where the God of that endurance and comfort grants like-mindedness for unified worship. Verse 4 thus bridges from Christ’s example to the practical outcome: the Bible fosters the inner resources necessary for a diverse church to live in hopeful, patient unity.

v.3For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.

v.4This passage

v.5Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • 2 Peter 1:20

    knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.

  • Psalms 119:81

    My soul fainteth for thy salvation; ButI hope in thy word.

  • Hebrews 10:35

    Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

  • Romans 8:24

    For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?

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