What Does Romans 15:18 Mean?
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which the Anointed One has not worked through me, to bring the nations into hearing and response, by word and deed.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,THE KEY
“Wrought” and “deed” share the Greek ergon word-family, linking Christ’s work through the speaker with the action people can see.
THE MEANING
The work Christ accomplishes through you reaches others through both what you say and what you do. Its aim is a responsive hearing among the nations. The verse locates the source of this fruit in Christ working through a person.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that visible spiritual fruit makes the speaker its source; the speaker acts, while Christ is named as the one working through him.
THE ROOT
κατειργάσατο
katergasato
GROWS FROM
ἔργον
ergon
work, deed, activity
“word and deed” in this verse is katergasato. The verb translated “wrought” and the word translated “deed” belong to the same Greek work-family. The verse joins what Christ accomplishes through the speaker with the action that gives that work visible form.
ALSO GROWS
ergō: by work, by deed
ἔργῳ
This is the word translated “deed” in the verse, tying the visible action directly to the work attributed to Christ.
ergazomai: to work, accomplish
ἐργάζομαι
This related verb keeps the focus on work being carried out, not merely claimed.
ὑπακοήν
hypakoēn
GROWS FROM
ἀκούω
akouō
to hear, listen
“hearing and response” in this verse is hypakoēn. The word translated “obedient,” ὑπακοή (hypakoē, obedience), is formed from ὑπό (hypo, under) and ἀκούω (akouō, hear or listen). It presents the nations’ response as connected to hearing and heeding.
ALSO GROWS
hypakouō: to heed, obey
ὑπακούω
This related verb makes clear that the hearing in view becomes a response.
akoē: hearing, report
ἀκοή
This branch keeps hearing in view as the point from which a response can follow.
THE PATTERN
Human action bears fruit through a divine work that reaches beyond the human agent.
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders toil in emptiness. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in emptiness.For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do, for the sake of his good pleasure.Let your light shine like this before people, that they may perceive your good works and give weight to your Father in the heavens.THE THREAD
Let your light shine like this before people, that they may perceive your good works and give weight to your Father in the heavens.Matthew uses ἔργα (erga, works), from the same Greek word-family as “wrought” and “deed” here. Romans names Christ as working through a person; Matthew shows visible works directing attention to the Father.
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