Tag Archives: Romans 15:27

Ηὐδόκησαν γὰρ καὶ ὀφειλέται αὐτῶν εἰσιν· εἰ γὰρ τοῖς πνευματικοῖς αὐτῶν ἐκοινώνησαν τὰ ἔθνη, ὀφείλουσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σαρκικοῖς λειτουργῆσαι αὐτοῖς. (Romans 15:27)

For they were pleased, and they are their debtors; for if the nations shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things.

In this verse Paul explains the principle behind the Gentiles’ contribution to the Jerusalem saints. The grammar fuses voluntariness (ηὐδόκησαν) with obligation (ὀφειλέται, ὀφείλουσι), grounding material support in prior spiritual participation. Syntax becomes theology: grace received creates duty to give.

Delight and Obligation: ηὐδόκησαν… ὀφειλέται

ηὐδόκησαν (aorist active indicative of εὐδοκέω, “they were pleased, they approved”) conveys free willingness.… Learn Koine Greek