Romans 15:4

For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church in a passage urging the strong to bear with the weak (15:1), grounding the appeal in Christ's self-denial (v.3) and then in Scripture's purpose before moving to a prayer for unity (v.5).

The words — proegraphē (προεγρῆφ), aorist passive of prographō, literally "was written beforehand," marking these texts as prior compositions aimed at a later audience.

The thread — The same pattern recurs in 1 Corinthians 10:11 (written as warnings for us), Romans 4:23 (written not only for Abraham but for us), and 2 Timothy 3:16 (useful for instruction).

Why it lands — The verse assigns Scripture a specific output: hope, but only through the active work of endurance and encouragement, positioning the reader as one who must endure rather than one who is merely comforted.

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 whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Romans 4:23 Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,
2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.
Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;