Romans 15:27
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Original Language Analysis
εὐδόκησαν
It hath pleased them
G2106
εὐδόκησαν
It hath pleased them
Strong's:
G2106
Word #:
1 of 21
to think well of, i.e., approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀφειλέται
debtors
G3781
ὀφειλέται
debtors
Strong's:
G3781
Word #:
4 of 21
an ower, i.e., person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor (against god)
αὐτοῖς
of their
G846
αὐτοῖς
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνευματικοῖς
spiritual things
G4152
πνευματικοῖς
spiritual things
Strong's:
G4152
Word #:
10 of 21
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
αὐτοῖς
of their
G846
αὐτοῖς
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκοινώνησαν
have been made partakers
G2841
ἐκοινώνησαν
have been made partakers
Strong's:
G2841
Word #:
12 of 21
to share with others (objectively or subjectively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
14 of 21
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ὀφείλουσιν
their duty is
G3784
ὀφείλουσιν
their duty is
Strong's:
G3784
Word #:
15 of 21
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκικοῖς
carnal things
G4559
σαρκικοῖς
carnal things
Strong's:
G4559
Word #:
19 of 21
pertaining to flesh, i.e., (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate
Historical Context
This principle—those who receive spiritual benefit should provide material support—undergirds NT teaching on supporting ministers (1 Cor 9:11, 14, Gal 6:6, 1 Tim 5:17-18). Paul extends it to inter-church support: Gentile churches owe the Jerusalem church because salvation came 'from the Jews' (John 4:22, Rom 11:17-18). This theology counters supersessionism: Gentile Christianity shouldn't despise its Jewish roots.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing the 'spiritual debt' Gentile Christians owe to Jewish believers shape your view of Christian-Jewish relations?
- What 'spiritual things' have you received from others that create a responsibility to serve them with 'material things'?
- How does viewing financial generosity as 'priestly service' (leitourgia) elevate your approach to giving?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are (εὐδόκησαν γάρ, καὶ ὀφειλέται αὐτῶν εἰσιν, eudokēsan gar, kai opheiletai autōn eisin)—Paul reaffirms their willing pleasure (eudokēsan) but adds a theological dimension: opheiletai eisin (they are debtors). Gentile believers owe material support to Jerusalem—not legal obligation but spiritual debt of gratitude. The verb opheilō (to owe) echoes 15:1 ('we ought to bear')—moral obligation rooted in grace received.
For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things (εἰ γὰρ τοῖς πνευματικοῖς αὐτῶν ἐκοινώνησαν τὰ ἔθνη, ὀφείλουσιν καὶ ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς λειτουργῆσαι αὐτοῖς, ei gar tois pneumatikois autōn ekoinōnēsan ta ethnē, opheilousin kai en tois sarkikois leitourgēsai autois)—Ekoinōnēsan (have shared in, been partners in) uses koinōnia language again. Gentiles received ta pneumatika (spiritual things)—the gospel, Scriptures, apostles, Christ himself—from Jewish believers. Therefore they owe (opheilousin) ta sarkika (material/fleshly things, i.e., money). Leitourgēsai (to minister) is the same priestly service term from v. 16—giving is worship, priestly service to God and his people.