Romans 15:31

Authorized King James Version

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That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Original Language Analysis

ἵνα That G2443
ἵνα That
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 1 of 20
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
ῥυσθῶ I may be delivered G4506
ῥυσθῶ I may be delivered
Strong's: G4506
Word #: 2 of 20
compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 3 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῖς which G3588
τοῖς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπειθούντων them that do not believe G544
ἀπειθούντων them that do not believe
Strong's: G544
Word #: 5 of 20
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 6 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τοῖς which G3588
τοῖς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίᾳ Judaea G2449
Ἰουδαίᾳ Judaea
Strong's: G2449
Word #: 8 of 20
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἵνα That G2443
ἵνα That
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 10 of 20
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
τοῖς which G3588
τοῖς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διακονία service G1248
διακονία service
Strong's: G1248
Word #: 12 of 20
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
μου my G3450
μου my
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 13 of 20
of me
τοῖς which G3588
τοῖς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς I have for G1519
εἰς I have for
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 15 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλὴμ Jerusalem G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ Jerusalem
Strong's: G2419
Word #: 16 of 20
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
εὐπρόσδεκτος accepted G2144
εὐπρόσδεκτος accepted
Strong's: G2144
Word #: 17 of 20
well-received, i.e., approved, favorable
γένηται may be G1096
γένηται may be
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 18 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τοῖς which G3588
τοῖς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίοις of the saints G40
ἁγίοις of the saints
Strong's: G40
Word #: 20 of 20
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

Analysis & Commentary

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea (ἵνα ῥυσθῶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀπειθούντων ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ, hina rhysthō apo tōn apeithountōn en tē Ioudaia)—Paul's first prayer request: rhysthō (be delivered, rescued) from tōn apeithountōn (those who disobey/disbelieve). Apeithountōn describes unbelieving Jews actively opposing Paul (not merely non-Christians but hostile opponents). Paul faced constant Jewish opposition throughout his ministry (Acts 9:23, 29, 13:45, 50, 14:2, 19, 17:5, 13, 18:12-13, 21:27-31). He feared assassination or mob violence in Jerusalem.

And that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints (καὶ ἵνα ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ εὐπρόσδεκτος τοῖς ἁγίοις γένηται, kai hina hē diakonia mou hē eis Ierousalēm euprosdektos tois hagiois genētai)—The second request: that his diakonia (service, ministry)—the collection—be euprosdektos (acceptable, well-received) by Jerusalem believers. This reveals Paul's concern: would Jerusalem Christians, given tensions with him (cf. Acts 21:20-21), accept his gift? Rejection would undermine Jewish-Gentile unity he'd worked years to foster. Acceptance would validate Gentile mission and symbolize unity.

Historical Context

Both fears were realized in part. Acts 21:27-36 records his arrest by hostile Jews. Regarding acceptance, Acts 21:17-20a suggests the Jerusalem leaders received him gladly, implying the collection was delivered and accepted, though Luke doesn't explicitly mention it. Ironically, God 'delivered' Paul (v. 31a) through Roman arrest, protecting him from Jewish assassination plots (Acts 23:12-35).

Questions for Reflection

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