Bible Strands
Romans 15:26
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman believers as he prepares to travel to Jerusalem to deliver financial aid. He notes this collection occurs while he is en route to serve the local church there.
The words — The text uses εὐδόκησαν (eudokēsan), meaning "were pleased," and κοινωνίαν (koinōnian), meaning "a contribution," to describe the voluntary financial support provided by the Macedonian and Achaian churches. These terms establish the collection as a willing offering rather than a mandated tax.
The thread — This collection reappears in 2 Corinthians 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 9:2, where Paul details the grace given to the Macedonian churches and boasts to them about the Achaian believers' readiness. The practice is further explained in Romans 15:27 as an obligation flowing from Gentiles sharing in Jewish spiritual blessings.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that material support for fellow believers is a voluntary act grounded in shared spiritual inheritance. It establishes a precedent for cross-cultural financial aid among early Christian communities.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
- Acts 11:27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
- 2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
- Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
- Proverbs 17:5 He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
- Zechariah 11:7 So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.
- Zechariah 11:11 It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD.