Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τολμήσω
I will
G5111
τολμήσω
I will
Strong's:
G5111
Word #:
3 of 17
to venture (objectively or in act; while g2292 is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous
ὧν
of those things which
G3739
ὧν
of those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατειργάσατο
hath
G2716
κατειργάσατο
hath
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
8 of 17
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 17
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
εἰς
to make
G1519
εἰς
to make
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑπακοὴν
obedient
G5218
ὑπακοὴν
obedient
Strong's:
G5218
Word #:
13 of 17
attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
14 of 17
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
λόγῳ
by word
G3056
λόγῳ
by word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
15 of 17
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
Acts 15:12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.Romans 1:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:Acts 21:19And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.Proverbs 25:14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.Romans 16:26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:Galatians 2:8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)2 Thessalonians 2:17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Historical Context
The emphasis on Gentile obedience reflects Paul's commission: apostle to the Gentiles (Gal 2:7-9, Acts 9:15). His ministry wasn't to Jews (Peter's primary sphere) but to ethnē (nations). The pairing of word and deed echoes Jesus's ministry, which combined teaching and signs (Acts 1:1). Apostolic ministry modeled this integration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing Christ as the one 'working through you' in ministry affect your response to both success and failure?
- In what ways does your Christian witness integrate both 'word' (verbal testimony) and 'deed' (actions, lifestyle)?
- What does 'obedience' as the goal of evangelism suggest about the content of gospel proclamation—what are we calling people to?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me (οὐ γὰρ τολμήσω λαλεῖν τι ὧν οὐ κατειργάσατο Χριστὸς δι' ἐμοῦ, ou gar tolmēsō lalein ti hōn ou kateirgasato Christos di' emou)—Paul refuses (ou tolmēsō, will not dare) to claim credit for what Christ hasn't accomplished through him (di' emou). This profound humility recognizes Christ as the true agent; Paul is merely the instrument. Kateirgasato (has wrought, accomplished) is intensive—Christ has thoroughly accomplished this work with Paul as means.
To make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed (εἰς ὑπακοὴν ἐθνῶν, λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ, eis hypakoēn ethnōn, logō kai ergō)—the goal is hypakoēn (obedience)—not mere intellectual assent but full surrender to Christ's lordship (cf. 1:5: 'obedience of faith'). Logō kai ergō (by word and deed) indicates comprehensive ministry: preaching (logos) confirmed by actions (ergon)—lifestyle, character, and possibly miracles (v. 19). Effective ministry requires integrated verbal proclamation and visible demonstration.