Romans 15:7
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Original Language Analysis
προσελάβετο
receive ye
G4355
προσελάβετο
receive ye
Strong's:
G4355
Word #:
2 of 12
to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
καὶ
G2532
καὶ
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσελάβετο
receive ye
G4355
προσελάβετο
receive ye
Strong's:
G4355
Word #:
8 of 12
to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 12
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Matthew 10:40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.Romans 5:2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,Mark 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.Luke 9:48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.Luke 15:2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.Romans 15:9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.John 6:37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Historical Context
The verb proslambanō carries social and relational nuance—welcoming someone into your household, accepting them into fellowship. In the Roman house churches, this meant Jewish believers hosting Gentiles for meals despite food tensions, and vice versa. Paul's appeal to Christ's example would resonate: if the Messiah could welcome uncircumcised Gentiles, surely circumcised Jews and Gentiles could welcome one another.
Questions for Reflection
- Who in your Christian community do you find difficult to 'receive' or welcome fully, and how does Christ's welcome of you challenge that?
- How does recognizing that Christ received you 'to the glory of God' change your motivation for accepting believers different from you?
- What practical steps would demonstrate that you're receiving fellow believers 'as Christ received you'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ὑμᾶς εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ, dio proslambanesthe allēlous, kathōs kai ho Christos proselabeto hymas eis doxan theou)—Dio (therefore) draws the conclusion from vv. 1-6. Proslambanesthe (receive, welcome) is present imperative: continuous, habitual acceptance of one another. This echoes 14:1, 3 but now grounds the command explicitly in Christ's welcome of believers. Kathōs (just as) establishes Christ as both model and motive: we receive because we've been received.
Christ received us eis doxan theou (unto God's glory)—not despite our differences but precisely to display God's glory in reconciling diverse peoples. Christ welcomed both Jew and Gentile (vv. 8-9), the ceremonially observant and the liberated. Our mutual welcome mirrors Christ's gracious acceptance and thus glorifies God by demonstrating his reconciling power. Refusing to receive fellow believers whom Christ has received effectively impugns Christ's judgment.