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Commentary on Romans 15 verses 5–6
The apostle, having delivered two exhortations, before he proceeds to more, intermixes here a prayer for the success of what he had said. Faithful ministers water their preaching with their prayers, because, whoever sows the seed, it is God that gives the increase. We can but speak to the ear; it is God's prerogative to speak to the heart. Observe,
I. The title he gives to God: The God of patience and consolation, who is both the author and the foundation of all the patience and consolation of the saints, from whom it springs and on whom it is built. He gives the grace of patience; he confirms and keeps it up as the God of consolation; for the comforts of the Holy Ghost help to support believers, and to bear them up with courage and cheerfulness under all their afflictions. When he comes to beg the pouring out of the spirit of love and unity he addresses himself to God as the God of patience and consolation; that is, 1. As a God that bears with us and comforts us, is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, but is ready to comfort those that are cast down - to teach us so to testify our love to our brethren, and by these means to preserve and maintain unity, by being patient one with another and comfortable one to another. Or, 2. As a God that gives us patience and comfort. He had spoken (Rom 15:4) of patience and comfort of the scriptures; but here he looks up to God as the God of patience and consolation: it comes through the scripture as the conduit-pipe, but from God as the fountain-head. The more patience and comfort we receive from God, the better disposed we are to love one another. Nothing breaks the peace more than an impatient, and peevish, and fretful melancholy temper.
II. The mercy he begs of God: Grant you to be like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus. 1. The foundation of Christian love and peace is laid in like-mindedness, a consent in judgment as far as you have attained, or at least a concord and agreement in affection. To auto phronein - to mind the same thing, all occasions of difference removed, and all quarrels laid aside. 2. This like-mindedness must be according to Christ Jesus, according to the precept of Christ, the royal law of love, according to the pattern and example of Christ, which he had propounded to them for their imitation, Rom 15:3. Or, "Let Christ Jesus be the centre of your unity. Agree in the truth, not in any error." It was a cursed concord and harmony of those who were of one mind to give their power and strength to the beast (Rev 17:13); this was not a like-mindedness according to Christ, but against Christ; like the Babel-builders, who were one in their rebellion, Gen 11:6. The method of our prayer must be first for truth, and then for peace; for such is the method of the wisdom that is from above: it is first pure, then peaceable. This is to be like-minded according to Christ Jesus. 3. Like-mindedness among Christians, according to Christ Jesus, is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. He is the Father of spirits, and fashions the hearts of men alike (Psa 33:15), opens the understanding, softens the heart, sweetens the affections, and gives the grace of love, and the Spirit as a Spirit of love, to those that ask him. We are taught to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven - now there it is done unanimously, among the angels, who are one in their praises and services; and our desire must be that the saints on earth may be so too.
III. The end of his desire: that God may be glorified, Rom 15:6. This is his plea with God in prayer, and is likewise an argument with them to seek it. We should have the glory of God in our eye in every prayer; therefore our first petition, as the foundation of all the rest, must be, Hallowed be thy name. Like-mindedness among Christians is in order to our glorifying God, 1. With one mind and one mouth. It is desirable that Christians should agree in every thing, that so they may agree in this, to praise God together. It tends very much to the glory of God, who is one, and his name one, when it is so. It will not suffice that there be one mouth, but there must be one mind, for God looks at the heart; nay, there will hardly be one mouth where there is not one mind, and God will scarcely be glorified where there is not a sweet conjunction of both. One mouth in confessing the truths of God, in praising the name of God - one mouth in common converse, not jarring, biting, and devouring one another - one mouth in the solemn assembly, one speaking, but all joining. 2. As the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is his New Testament style. God must be glorified as he has now revealed himself in the face of Jesus Christ, according to the rules of the gospel, and with an eye to Christ, in whom he is our Father. The unity of Christians glorifies God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, because it is a kind of counter-part or representation of the oneness that is between the Father and the Son. We are warranted so to speak of it, and, with that in our eye, to desire it, and pray for it, from Joh 17:21, That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee: a high expression of the honour and sweetness of the saints' unity. And it follows, The the world may believe that thou hast sent me; and so God may be glorified as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He does not say merely with one mouth, but bids us do it with one will also. See how he has united the whole body into one, and how he concludes his address again with a doxology, whereby he gives the utmost inducement to unanimity and concord. Then again from this point he keeps to the same exhortation as before, and says,
God is truly glorified when we praise him with one mind and with one voice.
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SUMMARY
Romans 15:6 encapsulates the Apostle Paul's profound theological and pastoral vision for the Roman church, urging a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers to achieve spiritual unity. This verse serves as a powerful capstone to Paul's preceding exhortations on mutual acceptance and harmonious living, emphasizing that such unity is not an end in itself, but the essential means by which the collective body of believers can truly glorify God, specifically "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," with a singular mind and voice.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his message in Romans 15:6. The most prominent is Metonymy, where "one mouth" (G1520, heîs G4750, stóma) stands for the unified speech, praise, and confession of the entire congregation. The physical mouth represents the collective vocal expression of the community. This is closely related to Synecdoche, where a part (the mouth) represents the whole (the unified body of believers speaking in unison). The repetition of "one" (G1520, heîs) in "one mind" and "one mouth" serves as a powerful device of Emphasis, underscoring the absolute necessity and profound impact of unity. Furthermore, the verse functions as a Purpose Clause, introduced by "That" (G2443, hína), clearly stating the objective or result of the preceding exhortations: unity leads to corporate glorification. This grammatical structure highlights the teleological nature of Christian living and community.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 15:6 powerfully articulates the profound theological truth that Christian unity is not merely a desirable social outcome, but a spiritual imperative directly linked to the glory of God. When believers, despite their diverse backgrounds and varying convictions on non-essential matters, come together in "one mind and one mouth," their collective worship becomes a more authentic and potent testament to God's character and the transformative power of the Gospel. This unity reflects the very nature of the Triune God, who is perfectly unified, and it serves as a compelling witness to a fragmented world, demonstrating that Christ can reconcile all things to Himself and bring disparate individuals into harmonious fellowship. Ultimately, the church's unity is a means by which God is exalted and His name is made great among the nations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 15:6 serves as a timeless challenge and encouragement for believers in every generation. In a world increasingly marked by division and polarization, the call to "one mind and one mouth" for the purpose of glorifying God is more urgent than ever. This verse compels us to examine our own attitudes and actions within the body of Christ. Are we actively pursuing harmony, bearing with one another's weaknesses, and prioritizing the edification of others over our own preferences? Disunity, whether stemming from theological disagreements on non-essentials, cultural differences, or personal biases, directly hinders the church's ability to offer a unified and powerful witness to God's glory. When we allow minor differences to fracture our fellowship, we diminish the collective voice of praise that God desires. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, patience, and Christ-like love, recognizing that our ultimate purpose as a community is to collectively magnify the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, presenting a compelling picture of His reconciling power to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "one mind and one mouth" truly mean in the context of Romans 15:6?
Answer: "One mind" (Greek: homothymadón) signifies a deep, internal spiritual unity, a shared purpose, and a common affection among believers. It's not about intellectual uniformity or agreeing on every minor theological point, but rather a unity of spirit and will, especially concerning the core truths of the Gospel and the mission of the church. "One mouth" (Greek: heîs stóma) is the outward expression of this internal unity, representing a collective, harmonious voice in praise, worship, and confession of God. Together, they describe a community so aligned in spirit that their corporate expression of worship is singular and powerful, free from discord.
Is uniformity required for Christian unity, or is there room for diversity?
Answer: Romans 15:6, especially when read in its broader context of Romans 14:1-23 and Romans 15:1-13, clearly indicates that uniformity is not required, nor is it the goal. Paul is addressing a church with significant diversity in practice and conviction (e.g., dietary laws, observance of days). True Christian unity, as described here, allows for diversity in non-essential matters while maintaining a shared commitment to Christ, mutual love, and a common purpose to glorify God. It's about unity in essential beliefs and a spirit of acceptance in non-essentials, rather than a demand for everyone to think and act identically in every detail.
Why is glorifying God the ultimate goal of Christian unity?
Answer: Glorifying God is the ultimate goal because it shifts the focus from human preferences and divisions to God's supreme worth and character. When believers are united, their collective worship and witness become a more authentic and powerful reflection of God's reconciling power and His nature. Disunity, conversely, can obscure God's glory and hinder the church's mission. Paul consistently emphasizes that all of life, including Christian community, should be directed towards God's praise, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Unity, therefore, is not for the church's own benefit, but for God's honor, demonstrating His ability to bring diverse people into harmonious fellowship through Christ.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 15:6 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the example Christ sets for unity but also in His very person and redemptive work. Paul explicitly grounds the call for unity in Christ's own self-sacrificial love, reminding believers in Romans 15:3 that "even Christ pleased not himself." His willingness to bear the reproaches of those who reviled God serves as the ultimate model for believers to bear with one another's weaknesses and differences. Furthermore, Christ is the one who breaks down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" in Himself, as powerfully articulated in Ephesians 2:14-16. Through His atoning sacrifice, He has reconciled both groups to God in one body, thus enabling the "one mind and one mouth" that glorifies the Father. It is "through Him" that both Jew and Gentile "have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18), making corporate glorification possible. Our unity in Christ reflects the perfect unity within the Godhead, and it is the answer to Jesus' own prayer for His disciples in John 17, that they "may be one... that the world may believe." Thus, the glorification of "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" through unified worship is a direct result of Christ's finished work and His ongoing role as the Head of the Church, gathering all His people into one harmonious chorus of praise.