Romans 15:4 - Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have 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

Commentary

Although Christians live under the New Covenant and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant, God's moral law has not changed and all Scripture is of spiritual benefit (1 Cor. 10:6, 10, 11; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). The Word of God not only informs believers how to endure, but it also encourages them in the process. hope. See note on 5:2. Without the clear and certain promises of the Word of God, the believer has no basis for hope (cf. Ps. 119:81,114; Eph. 2:12; Jer. 14:8).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ro 15:4). Nashville: Word Pub.