Devine Scripture

Romans 15:8

What does Romans 15:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 15:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 15:8 means

Paul affirms that Christ became a servant to the circumcised—Israel—to demonstrate God’s truthfulness by confirming the promises made to the patriarchs. Jesus’ earthly ministry validated God’s covenant faithfulness to the fathers. He did not abandon Israel; He fulfilled what God had pledged. The Messiah’s service to the Jews shows that the gospel stands firmly on God’s trustworthy word. Christ’s faithfulness to Israel is not at odds with Gentile inclusion; rather, it is the foundation from which the blessings promised to Abraham reach the nations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision to give effect to the undertakings given by God to the fathers,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I say Jesus Christ to have become a ministrant of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises to the fathers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I say that Jesus Christ became a minister of [the] circumcision for [the] truth ofGod, to confirm the promises of the fathers;

Context

Verse 7 called believers to receive one another as Christ received them. Now Paul explains the redemptive-historical basis for this reception. In verse 8, Christ’s ministry to the circumcision confirms God’s promises. Verses 9–12 will show, from multiple Scriptures, that Gentiles also were always in view, destined to glorify God for His mercy. The flow demonstrates that unity between Jew and Gentile is not an afterthought but the outworking of God’s faithful plan.

v.7Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.

v.8This passage

v.9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, And sing unto thy name.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 1:54

    He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy

  • Acts 3:25

    Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  • Ephesians 2:12

    that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

  • Romans 11:30

    For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,

  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:29

    conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

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