Romans 15:20
New International Version
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

New Living Translation
My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

English Standard Version
and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,

Berean Standard Bible
In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Berean Literal Bible
and thus being ambitious to preach the gospel where Christ had not been named, so that I might not build upon another's foundation.

King James Bible
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

New King James Version
And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,

New American Standard Bible
And in this way I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, so that I would not build on another person’s foundation;

NASB 1995
And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

NASB 1977
And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation;

Legacy Standard Bible
And in this way I make it my ambition to proclaim the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

Amplified Bible
Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

Christian Standard Bible
My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,

American Standard Version
yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
While I take pains to preach The Good News, not where the name of The Messiah is invoked, lest I build on an unusual foundation.

Contemporary English Version
But I have always tried to preach where people have never heard about Christ. I am like a builder who doesn't build on someone else's foundation.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I have so preached this gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation.

English Revised Version
yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My goal was to spread the Good News where the name of Christ was not known. I didn't want to build on a foundation which others had laid.

Good News Translation
My ambition has always been to proclaim the Good News in places where Christ has not been heard of, so as not to build on a foundation laid by someone else.

International Standard Version
My one ambition is to proclaim the gospel where the name of the Messiah is not known, so I don't build on someone else's foundation.

Literal Standard Version
and so counting it honor to proclaim good news, not where Christ was named—that on another’s foundation I might not build—

Majority Standard Bible
In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

New American Bible
Thus I aspire to proclaim the gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation,

NET Bible
And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person's foundation,

New Revised Standard Version
Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation,

New Heart English Bible
yes, making it my aim to proclaim the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.

Webster's Bible Translation
And so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Weymouth New Testament
making it my ambition, however, not to tell the Good News where Christ's name was already known, for fear I should be building on another man's foundation.

World English Bible
yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.

Young's Literal Translation
and so counting it honour to proclaim good news, not where Christ was named -- that upon another's foundation I might not build --

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”…

Cross References
Romans 1:15
That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Romans 10:15
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Romans 15:16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.

2 Corinthians 10:15
Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,

2 Corinthians 10:16
so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man's territory.


Treasury of Scripture

Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation:

so.

2 Corinthians 10:14-16
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: …

build.

1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building…

2 Corinthians 10:13-16
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you…

Ephesians 2:20-22
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; …

Jump to Previous
Aim Aiming Already Always Ambition Announce Another's Build Building Christ Christ's Counting Else's Fear Foundation Glad Good Gospel Honour However Making News Others Preach Proclaim Purpose Resting Someone Work
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Aim Aiming Already Always Ambition Announce Another's Build Building Christ Christ's Counting Else's Fear Foundation Glad Good Gospel Honour However Making News Others Preach Proclaim Purpose Resting Someone Work
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.














(20, 21) Throughout all this long missionary career, the Apostle had made it his endeavour not merely to go over old ground where others had been before him, but to seek out new and virgin soil, where he might enter as a pioneer, and convey the good news of the kingdom of heaven for the first time.

(20) Yea, so have I strived.--Rather, but making it my ambition. The Apostle set it before him as a point of honour, not merely to carry forward a work that others had begun, but to build up the whole edifice from the foundation himself.

Not where Christ was named.--Not in places where there were Christians already.

Another man's foundation.--Comp. 2Corinthians 10:15-16; and for the use of the word "foundation" for the first preaching of the gospel, 1Corinthians 3:10.

Verse 20. - Yea (or, but), so striving (or, earnestly desiring, or making it my aim. The word is φιλοτιμούμενον, cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11) to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation. In the compact between St. Paul and the apostles of the circumcision referred to in Galatians 2:1-7, it was agreed that he should confine his apostolic ministry to the Gentiles. Consequently, we find him selecting as centres of his work the principal cities of the heathen world. But he was further careful to avoid places, wherever they might be, in which Churches were already founded. It was the function of an apostle to extend the gospel by founding new Churches, rather than to invade the provinces of others. Those founded by himself, and thus under his immediate jurisdiction, as e.g. the Corinthian Church, he visited as need arose, and addressed them in authoritative letters, commanding as well as exhorting. But his rule in this respect did not preclude his writing also letters of general encouragement and admonition to any whom his peculiar commission as apostle of the Gen- tiles gave him a claim to be heard by. Thus he wrote to the Colossians, though he had never seen them (Colossians 1:4; Colossians 2:1); and thus also to the Romans, at the same time (as we have seen, Romans 15:15, seq.) almost apologizing for doing so; and, though he proposes visiting them, it is nor with the view of staying among them long, so as to take up the superintendence of them, but only on his way to Spain for mutual comfort and edification (see Romans 1:11, 12; Romans 15:24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In this way,
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

I have aspired
φιλοτιμούμενον (philotimoumenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5389: To be zealous, strive eagerly, desire very strongly.

to preach the gospel
εὐαγγελίζεσθαι (euangelizesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle
Strong's 2097: From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.

where
ὅπου (hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

Christ
Χριστός (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

was not known,
ὠνομάσθη (ōnomasthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3687: From onoma; to name, i.e. Assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

I would not be building
οἰκοδομῶ (oikodomō)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3618: From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

someone [else’s]
ἀλλότριον (allotrion)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 245: From allos; another's, i.e. Not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile.

foundation.
θεμέλιον (themelion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2310: From a derivative of tithemi; something put down, i.e. A substruction.


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