Division 15:14–16:27

Closing messages to the believers in Rome

In this division, Paul encouraged the believers in Rome and explained the purpose of his letter. He said that he was proud of his work as an apostle. He explained why he usually went to places where people had not heard about Christ.

Then Paul explained his plans to come to Rome on his way to Spain. He asked for their prayers, that God would protect him from Jews who did not believe in Jesus, that he would help the believers in Jerusalem and that God would allow him to visit the believers in Rome.

Then he commended and greeted various believers there in Rome.

Here are other possible headings for this division:

Conclusion and personal greetings (Good News Translation)
-or-
Conclusion/Ending of the letter

Section 15:14–21

Paul encouraged them and said he was happy with his work/ministry

In this section, Paul told the believers in Rome that he was convinced that they were good, had knowledge, and were able to teach each other. He reminded them that he had been very bold in this letter. He wanted the Gentiles to be acceptable to God regarding their faith.

He told the believers in Rome that he was proud of his work for God. His work was to help Gentiles to believe in Jesus. He told them that he always wanted to preach the gospel where people did not know about Christ.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles
-or-
Paul’s Reason for Writing (New Living Translation (2004))

Paragraph 15:14–16

15:14a

I myself am convinced, my brothers: Naming the people to whom he spoke is in the middle of what Paul said to them. In some languages these words must be first. For example:

My brothers, I myself am satisfied about you

I myself am convinced: The Greek is more literally “I am convinced, even I myself, about you.” Paul doubly emphasized the word I. Here it indicates that Paul was sincere when he said this. It does not indicate surprise or superiority. Some languages can doubly emphasize the word I, other languages can emphasize it once. For example:

I am convinced, indeed, I myself, about you
-or-
I am convinced, yes, me, about you
-or-
As for me, I am convinced about you

convinced: The Greek word indicates that Paul was certain in what he thought about the believers in Rome. Here are other ways to translate this word:

satisfied (English Standard Version)
-or-
I am certain

my brothers: The word my indicates that Paul felt he had a relationship with the believers in Rome even though he had never been there.

brothers: This word refers to all the believers living in Rome, both men and women. The word indicates a close relationship between believers because God made them his (adopted) children. See how you translated this word in 1:13 or 12:1.

15:14b

that: Here this word introduces what Paul was convinced of. It connects to 15:14c–d as well as 15:14b.

full of goodness: The word full indicates that the goodness in believers is complete. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

completely good
-or-
really good people

15:14c

brimming with: This phrase is similar in meaning to “full of” in 15:14b.

knowledge: Here the word knowledge mostly refers to things to be known about the gospel of Christ. In some languages that implied information will be clear from what Paul had been saying up until now. But in some languages it would indicate or imply knowledge of everything in the world. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation. For example:

knowledge ⌊about our faith⌋
-or-
knowledge ⌊about the gospel⌋

• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This refers to all knowledge about the gospel of Christ.

15:14d

instruct: The Greek word refers to directing someone to stop doing something bad. Here are other ways to translate this word:

admonish (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
correct (New Jerusalem Bible)

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