Romans 15:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 15:7
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Chapter Context
Romans 15 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of holiness, hope, obedience. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-33: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 15:7
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Analysis
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.
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.
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'?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- References God: Romans 15:9
- Glory: Romans 5:2, Ephesians 1:12, 1:18
- Parallel theme: Matthew 10:40, Mark 9:37, Luke 9:48, 15:2, John 6:37, 13:34