So that we might have hope…
Romans 15:4 Paul reminds us that the instruction and examples of Scripture provide hope
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 NASB1995
Today’s verse comes from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. By “written in earlier times”, Paul is referring to Scripture up to that point, what we consider to be the Old Testament. He’s not telling the people of the church of Rome to ignore Scripture, but rather to study it and know it well as a foundation for their faith in Jesus Christ.
This single verse can be broken down into three segments. The first is “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,” which indicates that the scriptures were written for all Christians to learn from. Using Jesus as an example, we know that He liked to use parables as a way to teach His followers, but He also frequently called on His perfect knowledge of Scripture to make a point. This was especially useful when He was confronted by the Sanhedrin, as they also knew Scripture — but often misinterpreted it.
The second section is “so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures”. Here Paul is reminding his readers that as they struggle through hard times, illness, infirmities as they grow older, and eventually the inevitable path to death, they can persevere (from the Ancient Greek ὑπομονή — hypomonē (pronounced hoop-om-on-ay) — meaning “patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance”) through their knowledge of Scripture.
The third and last part of the verse deals with what is gained through understanding Scripture — “we might have hope”. We gain comfort from knowing that godly people over the millennia have endured through faith, which strengthens our hope for the future.
This verse is preceded by a quote from Psalms 69:9, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me”. Through the endurance and perseverance demonstrated through the life of Jesus and countless examples in Scripture, Paul also seems to be teaching the Romans that hope — even in the face of persecution to the point of death — is with them.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Knowing Jesus —
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for the Word of God and the wonderful truths it contains. Thank You for not only unveiling Your gracious character and eternal goodness to us through Your Word.. but that it was written to instruct us on how to live and to teach us all that You would have us learn. Help me to live in this fallen world with patient endurance as I look to Jesus and thank You for the glorious hope I have in Christ Jesus my Lord. Praise His holy name.. for it is in Him alone that we have a blessed hope, AMEN.