Be Patient with Immature Believers
1Those of us who are strong believers need to be patient with those who are not. We can’t just go around doing as we please. 2Let’s do what we can to keep them happy and to help them grow stronger in their faith.3The Messiah didn’t live a self-serving life. As the Bible says, “The insults hurled at you, hit me.” [1] 4This Bible [2] was written a long time ago, to encourage us with hope. That’s why it has endured all these years. 5May the God behind all of this endurance and encouragement give you whatever it is you need to live in peace with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. 6This way, with one united voice you can praise the God and Father of our leader, Jesus Christ.
7So accept your fellow believers just the way they are. Remember, the Messiah did that for you. So do it for others, as a way of honoring God.
Jesus Is Messiah of the Jews Too
8Let me tell you something. The Messiah came to help the Jewish people. He did it to show that God wasn’t lying when he made promises to Abraham and the other founders of the Jewish faith. 9The Messiah also did it so non-Jews would thank God for his mercy. As the Bible says,
“This is why I will honor you in front of non-Jewish people
and sing your praises.” [3]
“Non-Jewish people of the world,
celebrate with God’s people.” [4]
“Non-Jews everywhere, praise the Lord.
Nations of the earth, honor him.” [5]
“Keep your eye on the root of Jesse’s family tree.
It’s going to produce a descendant who will rule over the non-Jewish nations of the world.
People everywhere will put their hope in him.” [6]
My Ministry Is to Non-Jewish People
14Dear family, I don’t have any doubts that you are wonderful people. I’m also sure that you have the insight you need to teach one another.15Even so, I’ve come at you pretty boldly with some of what I’ve written. I’ve done this to refresh your memory and because it’s something that God, in his kindness, has called me to do. 16I’m a minister who’s taking the news of Christ Jesus on the road, to non-Jewish people. It’s good news from God. I’m serving as his priest. I’m bringing him non-Jewish people as an offering that the Holy Spirit can purify, and for God to accept. 17Because of Christ Jesus, I’m proud of the work I get to do for God.
I’m Bragging about Jesus
18I’m not going to brag about anything I’ve done in this work. I’m going to brag about what Christ has done through me. Non-Jewish people are pledging their obedience to God. They’re doing it because of what they are hearing and seeing in this ministry. 19They’re seeing the power of God’s Spirit at work performing miracles and other wonders. I’ve done what I was called to do. I’ve preached the good news of the Messiah all the way from Jerusalem to Illyricum. [7]20I’ve made it a practice to take the good news to places where people had not yet heard about the Messiah. That’s because I didn’t want to build my ministry on a foundation that someone else established. 21Instead, I did what the Bible says,
“Those who hadn’t been told about him will see for themselves.
Those who had never heard of him will understand.” [8]
Paul’s Prayer Request: Safety
22This is why I haven’t been able to visit you yet, though I had planned to many times. 23But now I’m finally able to leave these regions and visit you, which is something I’ve wanted to do for many years.24I’m planning to go to Spain. I’m hoping that along the way I can visit you and spend some time enjoying your company. Then I hope you will help send me on my way again. [9] 25But at the moment I’m on my way to Jerusalem to do something for the believers there.
26Believers in the regions of Macedonia and Achaia [10] took an offering to help the poor folks among the believers in Jerusalem. 27They were happy to do it. In fact, they were obligated. If non-Jewish people are now allowed to share in spiritual benefits, they should be willing to help God’s people with the necessities of life. 28So when I’m done delivering this offering that was raised, I’ll leave for Spain and come to visit you along the way. [11] 29I know that when I come to see you I’ll have the Messiah’s full approval.
30Now I’m asking you, dear family, to do something for me. Pray to God for me. Join me in praying fervently. I’m asking this because you and I have the same leader, Jesus the Messiah. And we share a love that comes from the Spirit. 31Pray that I’ll be protected from the people in Judea who don’t believe the way we do. And pray that the believers in Jerusalem will accept the offering I’m bringing to them. 32If God allows it, I hope to come and visit you. It would be a refreshing joy to spend some time with you. 33May God give you peace. Absolutely. [12]
