Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
the God
G2316
θεὸς
the God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δῴη
grant
G1325
δῴη
grant
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸ
to be
G846
αὐτὸ
to be
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 18
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
φρονεῖν
likeminded
G5426
φρονεῖν
likeminded
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
13 of 18
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
16 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
1 Peter 3:8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Psalms 86:5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.1 Corinthians 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.Exodus 34:6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,Philippians 1:27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;2 Peter 3:15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
Historical Context
The prayer for like-mindedness addressed the primary pastoral crisis in Rome: disunity between Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul doesn't resolve the food/days disputes by legislation but by prayer for spiritual transformation. True unity must be God-wrought, not humanly engineered, and must follow the pattern of Christ's incarnational condescension.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as the source of patience and consolation affect your response when these qualities seem depleted in your life?
- What would 'like-mindedness according to Christ Jesus' look like in a specific church conflict you've observed or experienced?
- In what areas do you need to pray for God-given unity with believers who differ from you on secondary matters?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now the God of patience and consolation (Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως, ho de theos tēs hypomonēs kai tēs paraklēseōs)—Paul shifts from exhortation to prayer, addressing God with attributes just mentioned (v. 4). God is the source and sustainer of hypomonē (patience, endurance) and paraklēsis (comfort, encouragement). These are not self-generated human virtues but gifts from God, who himself embodies patient longsuffering toward sinners (Rom 2:4) and provides comfort in affliction (2 Cor 1:3).
Grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus (δῴη ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, dōē hymin to auto phronein en allēlois kata Christon Iēsoun)—Paul prays for unity: to auto phronein (to think the same thing) doesn't demand uniformity on disputable matters but unity of mind rooted in Christ. Kata Christon Iēsoun (according to Christ Jesus) is the standard: Christlike humility, self-denial, and other-centered love. Unity isn't organizational conformity but spiritual harmony flowing from shared commitment to Christ's lordship and example.