Romans 15:27 Meaning and Explanation
“It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Gentiles gave gladly and owed it too: having shared in Israel's spiritual riches, they rightly share their material goods in return.
What Does Romans 15:27 Mean?
Paul presses the point of the collection. The Gentiles gave willingly, yet he adds that they were also debtors — there was a fitness, even an obligation, in their giving.
The reasoning is beautiful. The Gentiles had received Israel's 'spiritual things' — the Scriptures, the promises, the Messiah Himself all came through the Jewish people. Having been enriched in such treasures, it is only right that they return aid in material needs. Spiritual gifts flowed west; material help now flows east. This is the give-and-take of one family in Christ, where blessing received becomes blessing shared. Paul shows that gratitude for spiritual riches naturally overflows into practical generosity. What we have freely received, we gladly pass on.
Romans 15:27 in the Original Language
leitourgeo (λειτουργέω), 'minister' -- to render service, especially the giving of needed aid as a sacred duty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 15:27
What does Romans 15:27 mean?
The Gentiles gave gladly and owed it too: having shared in Israel's spiritual riches, they rightly share their material goods in return.