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NASB | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
Bible Question:
I am pondering the meaning of this verse in terms of the perseverance part and trying to understand something about it. I have been taught that God is the author and finisher of our faith. I have also been taught that the word perseverance here is talking about the Perseverance of the Saints. What I am confused about is whether or not perseverance is a Gift here in this verse, or whether or not perseverance is suppossed to be like the word endurance here? Thanks |
Bible Answer: Greetings Brothersmith! If I understand your question correctly, you are asking if God gives perseverance and endurance in Rom. 15:5. There are some translations that leave me shaking my head at times. This verse is one of those instances. The NIV translates this verse: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus," The NAS translates this verse: "Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:" The RSV and the NET Bible are similar to the NAS. These latter translations are the correct ones. Here is the literal translation of this verse: "But the God of perseverance and of encouragement may He give to you the same to think among one another according to Christ Jesus" Notice that the words 'perseverance' and 'encouragement' are describing God. They are not gifts (this word is not even used in the first clause) that God has given, but words describing who God is. The only 'gift' mentioned in this verse is the unity of thought mentioned in the last clause of the verse. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |