Romans · Chapter 15 · Hope

Romans 15:4 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context

Hope is the anchor that holds when feelings cannot.

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Topics #hope

Read in chapter context · Romans 15

Both translations, side by side

WEB · World English Bible

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

KJV · King James Version

"For1063 whatsoever things3745 were written aforetime4270 were written4270 for1519 our2251 learning1319, that2443 we2192 through1223 patience5281 and2532 comfort3874 of the scriptures1124 might have2192 hope1680."

How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses whatsoever, aforetime, patience, comfort, while the WEB renders these as whatever, before, perseverance, encouragement. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.

In context

Romans 15:4 in Romans 15

A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Romans 15:4 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Romans 15. Read the full chapter →

v.2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
v.3 For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
v.4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
v.5 Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,
v.6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Book background

About the Book of Romans

Testament: New Testament
Genre: Pauline epistle
Author: Paul the apostle
Date written: c. 57 AD
Audience: The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met)
Chapters: 16

Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). It has transformed every major Christian revival in history.

Setting: Written from Corinth on the eve of Paul's final trip to Jerusalem.

Key themes: righteousness · faith · justification · sin · gospel

Read Romans from the beginning →

Memorisation aid

How to memorise Romans 15:4

Romans 15:4 contains 24 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.

1

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning

FWTWWB
2

that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

TTPATE

Frequently asked

FAQ about Romans 15:4

What does Romans 15:4 say?

Romans 15:4 reads: "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." — from the New Testament, Romans (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.

What book of the Bible is Romans 15:4 in?

Romans 15:4 is in the book of Romans, traditionally attributed to Paul the apostle and written around c. 57 AD. Romans is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met). Best known for "the just shall live by faith" and Romans 8:28.

What is Romans 15:4 about?

Romans 15:4 is primarily a Bible verse about Hope. Within Romans, Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). Read the full passage above with surrounding context.

What is the difference between Romans 15:4 in WEB and KJV?

Romans 15:4 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For1063 whatsoever things3745 were written aforetime4270 were written4270 for1519 our2251 learning1319, that2443 we2192 through1223 patience5281 and2532 comfort3874 of the scriptures1124 might have2192 hope1680.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.

How long is Romans 15:4?

Romans 15:4 is 24 words in the WEB translation (160 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.

How can I memorise Romans 15:4?

To memorise Romans 15:4, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.

Why does Romans 15:4 matter in Romans?

How can I apply Romans 15:4 today?

Many readers use Romans 15:4 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Romans 15:4 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.

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