The Meaning of Romans 15:13 Explained

Romans 15:13

KJV: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

YLT: and the God of the hope shall fill you with all joy and peace in the believing, for your abounding in the hope in power of the Holy Spirit.

Darby: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye should abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

ASV: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Now  the God  of hope  fill  you  with all  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  ye  may abound  in  hope,  through  the power  of the Holy  Ghost. 

What does Romans 15:13 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This verse concludes the section dealing with the practice of God"s righteousness ( Romans 12:1 to Romans 15:13). It is another pious wish (cf. Romans 15:5).
The mention of hope points forward to the future. Throughout this epistle Paul kept referring to the fact that God had not finished His saving work in his readers" lives. They were still under construction as Christians. There was more to God"s salvation than they had experienced yet. In closing his treatise on God"s righteousness the apostle focused his readers" attention on the rest of their sanctification and final glorification.
The God of hope is the God who inspires hope in and provides hope for His redeemed ones. Christians can be joyful because of what God has already done for us and is doing for us. We can also be peaceful as we realize what He is doing for us now and what He will do for us in the future. It is possible for us to abound in hope because the omnipotent Holy Spirit is at work in us (cf. ch8).
"The achievement of all God"s purposes for the spiritual welfare of His children comes from the power given by the Spirit of God. What a fitting closing reminder to the apostle"s discussion of Christian living." [1]
This concludes Paul"s exposition of the theme of the righteousness of God that constitutes the heart of this epistle ( Romans 1:18 to Romans 15:13). Paul showed man"s need of God"s righteousness ( Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20), how God imputes it to people who trust in His Son ( Romans 3:21 to Romans 5:21), and how He imparts it to those to whom He has imputed it (chs6-8). Moreover he demonstrated that God is consistently righteous in doing all this (chs9-11). He ended by urging his readers to practice their righteousness in their most important relationships ( Romans 12:1 to Romans 15:13).

Context Summary

Romans 15:1-13 - Following Christ In Pleasing Others
This chapter is remarkable for its threefold designation of God. The God of patience and comfort, Romans 15:5; the God of hope, Romans 15:13; and the God of peace, Romans 15:33. Our character may be deficient in these things, but His fullness is there for us to draw upon. There is no stint or lack for those to whom He says, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."
We must always be on the lookout for the weak, the heavy-laden, and the downcast. Let us help them with their burdens, anxieties, fears, and questionings-imparting to them something of our cheery hope. Never pleasing ourselves; merciful to others; though merciless in the standard and criticism we apply to our own conduct; comforting ourselves with the Word of God, that we may be able to impart these divine consolations to others. Where such conditions are realized, life becomes a dream of heaven actualized in flesh and blood. But we must fulfill the injunctions of Romans 15:9-13, rejoicing in praise and abounding in hope. The outlook on the earth-side may be dark and depressing, but uncurtain your windows toward God-see, the land is light. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 15

1  The strong must bear with the weak
2  We must not please ourselves;
3  for Christ did not so;
7  but receive one another, as Christ did us all;
8  both Jews and Gentiles;
15  Paul excuses his writing;
28  and promises to see them;
30  and requests their prayers

Greek Commentary for Romans 15:13

The God of hope [ο τεος της ελπιδος]
Taking up the idea in Romans 15:12 as in Romans 15:5 from Romans 15:4. [source]
Fill you [πληρωσαι υμας]
Optative (first aorist active of πληροω — plēroō) of wish for the future. Cf. δωιη — dōiē in Romans 15:5. In believing (εν τωι πιστευειν — en tōi pisteuein). “In the believing” (εν — en with locative of the articular infinitive, the idiom so common in Luke‘s Gospel). That ye may abound Purpose clause with εις το — eis to as in Romans 15:8, with περισσευειν — perisseuein (present active infinitive of περισσευω — perisseuō with accusative of general reference, υμας — humas). This verse gathers up the points in the preceding quotations. [source]
In believing [εν τωι πιστευειν]
“In the believing” (εν — en with locative of the articular infinitive, the idiom so common in Luke‘s Gospel). [source]
That ye may abound [εις το περισσευειν υμας]
Purpose clause with εις το — eis to as in Romans 15:8, with περισσευειν — perisseuein (present active infinitive of περισσευω — perisseuō with accusative of general reference, υμας — humas). This verse gathers up the points in the preceding quotations. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 15:13

Romans 8:4 The Spirit [πνεῦμα]
From πνέω tobreathe or blow. The primary conception is wind or breath. Breath being the sign and condition of life in man, it comes to signify life. In this sense, physiologically considered, it is frequent in the classics. In the psychological sense, never. In the Old Testament it is ordinarily the translation of ruach It is also used to translate chai life, Isaiah 38:12; nbreath, 1 Kings 17:17. In the New Testament it occurs in the sense of wind or breath, John 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 1:7. Closely related to the physiological sense are such passages as Luke 8:55; James 2:26; Revelation 13:15. Pauline Usage: 1. Breath, 2 Thessalonians 2:8. 2. The spirit or mind of man; the inward, self-conscious principle which feels and thinks and wills (1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:34; Colossians 2:5). In this sense it is distinguished from σῶμα bodyor accompanied with a personal pronoun in the genitive, as my, our, his spirit (Romans 1:9; Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 16:18, etc.). It is used as parallel with ψυχή souland καρδία heartSee 1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:17; and compare John 13:21and John 12:27; Matthew 26:38and Luke 1:46, Luke 1:47. But while ψυχή soulis represented as the subject of life, πνεύμα spiritrepresents the principle of life, having independent activity in all circumstances of the perceptive and emotional life, and never as the subject. Generally, πνεύμα spiritmay be described as the principle, ψυχή soulas the subject, and καρδία heartas the organ of life. 3. The spiritual nature of Christ. Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Samuel 16:14-16,5. 4. The divine power or influence belonging to God, and communicated in Christ to men, in virtue of which they become πνευματικοί spiritual - recipientsand organs of the Spirit. This is Paul's most common use of the word. Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 4:6; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:8. In this sense it appears as: a. Spirit of God. Romans 8:9, Romans 8:11, Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16-25 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:40; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 3:16. b. Spirit of Christ. Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:6; Philemon 1:19. c. Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:8, etc. d. Spirit. With or without the article, but with its reference to the Spirit of God or Holy Spirit indicated by the context. Romans 8:16, Romans 8:23, Romans 8:26, Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, etc. 5. A power or influence, the character, manifestations, or results of which are more peculiarly defined by qualifying genitives. Thus spirit of meekness, faith, power, wisdom. Romans 8:2, Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:7, etc. These combinations with the genitives are not mere periphrases for a faculty or disposition of man. By the spirit of meekness or wisdom, for instance, is not meant merely a meek or wise spirit; but that meekness, wisdom, power, etc., are gifts of the Spirit of God. This usage is according to Old Testament analogy. Compare Exodus 28:3; Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31; Isaiah 11:2. 6. In the plural, used of spiritual gifts or of those who profess to be under spiritual influence, 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:12. 7. Powers or influences alien or averse from the divine Spirit, but with some qualifying word. Thus, the spirit of the world; another spirit; spirit of slumber. Romans 11:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:7. Where these expressions are in negative form they are framed after the analogy of the positive counterpart with which they are placed in contrast. Thus Romans 8:15: “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage, but of adoption. In other cases, as Ephesians 2:2, where the expression is positive, the conception is shaped according to Old-Testament usage, where spirits of evil are conceived as issuing from, and dependent upon, God, so far as He permits their operation and makes them subservient to His own ends. See Judges 9:23; Romans 8:139 1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Kings 22:21sqq.; Isaiah 19:4. Spirit is found contrasted with letter, Romans 2:29; Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6. With flesh, Romans 8:1-13; Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:24. It is frequently associated with the idea of power (Romans 1:4; Romans 15:13, Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 3:5; Ephesians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:7); and the verb ἐνεργεῖν , denoting to work efficaciously, is used to mark its special operation (1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 3:20; Philemon 2:13; Colossians 1:29). It is also closely associated with life, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:11, 1713487704_2; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 1 Corinthians 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 5:25; Galatians 6:8. It is the common possession of the Church and its members; not an occasional gift, but an essential element and mark of the christian life; not appearing merely or mainly in exceptional, marvelous, ecstatic demonstrations, but as the motive and mainspring of all christian action and feeling. It reveals itself in confession (1 Corinthians 12:3); in the consciousness of sonship (Romans 8:16); in the knowledge of the love of God (Romans 5:5); in the peace and joy of faith (Romans 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6); in hope (Romans 5:5; Romans 15:13). It leads believers (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18): they serve in newness of the Spirit (Romans 7:6) They walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:4, 1 Corinthians 2:10,7; 1713487704_91). Through the Spirit they are sanctified (2 Thessalonians 2:13). It manifests itself in the diversity of forms and operations, appearing under two main aspects: a difference of gifts, and a difference of functions. See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 4:30; Philemon 2:1; [source]
Romans 15:5 The God of patience and comfort [ο τεος της υπομονης και της παρακλησεως]
Genitive case of the two words in Romans 15:4 used to describe God who uses the Scriptures to reveal himself to us. See note on 2 Corinthians 1:3 for this idea; Romans 15:13 for “the God of hope”; Romans 15:33 for “the God of peace.” [source]
Romans 15:16 That I should be [εις το ειναι με]
The εις το — eis to idiom with the infinitive again (Romans 15:8, Romans 15:13). [source]
Galatians 5:22 Joy [χαρά]
Comp. joy of the Holy Ghost, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, and see Romans 5:2; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Philemon 1:25; Philemon 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:4. [source]
Philippians 1:25 Of faith []
Rev., in the faith. To be connected with both furtherance and joy. For promoting your faith and your joy in believing. For joy of faith, compare Romans 15:13. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:11 Direct our way [κατευτυναι την οδον ημων]
First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from μη γενοιτο — mē genoito (may it not come to pass) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5, Romans 15:13. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:11 And our Lord Jesus [και ο Κυριος ημων Ιησους]
Separate article here with Ιησους — Iēsous In Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1 only one article (not two) treating “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” as one just like “our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” in 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:18. Direct our way (κατευτυναι την οδον ημων — kateuthunai tēn hodon hēmōn). First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from μη γενοιτο — mē genoito (may it not come to pass) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5, Romans 15:13. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 15:13 mean?

- And the God - of hope may fill you with all joy and peace in - believing for - to abound - hope [the] power [of the] Spirit Holy
δὲ Θεὸς τῆς ἐλπίδος πληρώσαι ὑμᾶς πάσης χαρᾶς καὶ εἰρήνης ἐν τῷ πιστεύειν εἰς τὸ περισσεύειν τῇ ἐλπίδι δυνάμει Πνεύματος Ἁγίου

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  the  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐλπίδος  of  hope 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐλπίς  
Sense: expectation of evil, fear.
πληρώσαι  may  fill 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Optative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.
πάσης  with  all 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
χαρᾶς  joy 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
εἰρήνης  peace 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: εἰρήνη  
Sense: a state of national tranquillity.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πιστεύειν  believing 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
περισσεύειν  to  abound 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: περισσεύω  
Sense: to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐλπίδι  hope 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐλπίς  
Sense: expectation of evil, fear.
δυνάμει  [the]  power 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
Πνεύματος  [of  the]  Spirit 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
Ἁγίου  Holy 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.