Chapter 15
Compiler’s comment. These verse-by-verse notes are taken from Andrew Womack’s commentary (sometimes edited for conciseness), John Wesley’s commentary (unedited), The Passion Translation notes, Seemuth Commentary notes, ESV Study Bible notes, Life Application Study Bible notes, and personal thoughts. Translations are taken from biblegateway.com. The notes may be useful to provide background material for personal devotions or sermon preparation.
Verses 1-3.
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
AMP. “We who are strong in our convictions and robust in our faith ought to bear with the failings, frailties, and tender scruples of the weak; we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us make it a practice to please and make happy his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him, to strengthen him, and build him up spiritually. For Christ did not please Himself and gave no thought to His own interests; but, as it is written, the reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.”
TPT. “Now those who are mature in their faith can easily be recognized for they don’t live to please themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in their immaturity. Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity. For not even the most powerful one of all, the Anointed One, lived to please himself. His life fulfilled the Scripture that says: ‘all the insults of those who insulted you fall upon me.’ (Ps. 69:9).
Seemuth. Paul was among the strong. The main danger: the strong knowing the truth and knowing freedom in the truth but using that freedom to allow ruin in someone’s else’s faith in Jesus. Christ did not do for His gain, but for our gain.
Wesley. We who are strong — Of a clearer judgment, and free from these scruples. And not to please ourselves — Without any regard to others. For his good — This is a general word: edification is one species of good. But bore not only the infirmities, but reproaches, of his brethren; and so, fulfilled that scripture. Psalms 69:9
Womack. This verse summarizes Romans 14. Paul explained that the “strong-in-grace” Christian realizes that it is okay right to eat meat sacrificed to idols. However, because it’s lawful doesn’t mean it is the correct thing to do (1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23). The strong believer bears the infirmities of the weak Christian brother.
This word “bear” is translated from the Greek word “BASTAZO,” and it means “to lift” (Strong’s Concordance). We have a picture of weak Christians burdened with guilt or condemnation. We who are strong help them lift that load, by not offending their weak consciences.
The word translated “infirmities” is the Greek word “ASTHENEMA,” and it means “a scruple of conscience” (Strong’s Concordance). This is saying that the stronger believer needs to help lift the burden of the one who has a weak conscience.
Paul sums up Romans 14 on how to get along with those who have different convictions. LOVE. Love thinks of the other person first. Love is not selfish (1 Corinthians 13). If people seek the benefit of others more than their own, strife is killed. “Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10).
Paul said in Philippians 2:3. We are to love others and not just ourselves.
Jesus is the supreme example of God’s kind of love. Jesus submitted to things that He, as God, didn’t have to. However, He became a man and submitted Himself (Matthew 17:27), lest He should offend people. If Jesus did this for us, how can any of us justify not bearing the infirmities of our weak brethren?
Verse 4.
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
AMP. For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by our steadfast and patient endurance and the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.
ESV. Whatever was written in former days includes all OT scriptures. All OT was written for instruction and edification of God’s people.
Seemuth. Paul desires that believers become like Jesus in the way they respond to opportunities to do good and to deny selfishness with all its evil tentacles.
Wesley. Aforetime — In the Old Testament. That we through patience and consolation of the scriptures may have hope — That through the consolation which God gives us by these, we may have patience and a joyful hope.
Womack. 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11, all the OT people’s actions, good and bad, are recorded for our instruction to learn what’s acceptable to God. Those who don’t pay attention to these examples, but choose to learn everything by hard knocks, are making a huge mistake.
Notice that hope comes from the Scriptures.
Hope is a positive. Scriptures quicken our imaginations to see positive things, not negative things that tend to dominate most people.
Old Testament scriptures were written for our instruction so that we would not make the same mistakes they did. If we do not heed OT lessons, we’re reinventing the wheel. OT people made mistakes, and the scriptures reported the consequences of those sins. We don’t have to learn by “hard knocks.” We can learn at their expense instead of our own.
Patience, comfort, and hope do not come to us by begging and pleading with God, or by the laying on of hands; rather, they come through the Scriptures.
It’s a mistake to think that problems produce patience – that’s a misunderstanding of Romans 5:3 and James 1:3. Patience is a product of the Scriptures. If tribulations produced patience, every Christian would be patient. Patience comes through God’s Word, but problems cause us to exercise our patience and thereby become stronger.
Verse 5.
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”
AMP. Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and with such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.”
Seemuth. “Like-mindedness” comes from mutual submission to the God of patience and comfort. Such brings mutual edification, which brings unity as the Holy Spirit works through believers to honor Jesus, which allows the World to see unity and love manifested (a testimony of Christ). True worship results from the obedience of sacrifice not from the insistence of positions of freedom.
LASB Notes. The Roman church was a diverse community: Gentiles, Jews, slaves, free people, rich, poor, strong in faith, weak in faith.
Wesley. According to the power of Christ Jesus.
Womack. Paul referred to Romans 15:3. Christ is an example of bearing the infirmities of those who are weak. He prayed that the Lord would work in us the same grace toward others as was displayed in Christ Jesus toward us.
Verse 6.
“That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
AMP. That together you may unanimously with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Wesley. That ye — Both Jews and gentiles, believing with one mind, and confessing with one mouth.
Womack. We can glorify God with one mind and one mouth (speaking the same thing). See also 1 Corinthians 1:10).
Verse 7.
“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”
AMP. Welcome and receive one another into your hearts, then, even as Christ welcomed and received you into His heart and the Father’s heart, for the glory of God.
Seemuth. Receive one another. No issues, political, religious, economic, social, ethnic stands before the command of love: receive one another. In so doing, God is glorified to the world.
ESV. Both the strong and the weak are to accept one another. Both were accepted by Christ when both were sinners. Such mutual acceptance will bring great glory to God.
Wesley. Receive ye one another — Weak and strong, with mutual love.
Womack. How does God love us? Certainly, it is by grace. We love others the same way. In Romans 14:1-3, we learn how to treat those who didn’t believe as we do. We are not to dispute with them, despise them, or judge them. Since this verse tells us to receive others the way Christ has received us, we conclude that Christ doesn’t dispute with us, despise us, or judge us.
How do we know which doctrines are negotiable and which are not? If Christ has received any individual through the new birth, we should receive him regardless of differences. If Jesus overlooks these people’s doctrinal errors so, should we.
Verse 8.
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.
AMP. For I tell you that Jesus, the Messiah, became a servant and a minister to the circumcised (the Jews) to show God’s truthfulness and honesty and by confirming and verifying the promises He gave to our fathers.
ESV. In fulfilling God’s saving promises to the Jews, His faithfulness and truthfulness to His Word are demonstrated.
Seemuth. Jesus is servant to the Jews and the Gentiles. The hope and fulfillment of the patriarchs is found in Christ.
Wesley. Now I say — The apostle here shows how Christ received us. Christ Jesus-Jesus is the name, Christ the surname. The latter was first known to the Jews; the former, to the gentiles. Therefore, he is styled Jesus Christ, when the words stand in the common, natural order. When the order is inverted, as here, the office of Christ is more solemnly considered. Was a servant — Of his Father. Of the circumcision — For the salvation of the circumcised, the Jews. For the truth of God — To manifest the truth and fidelity of God.
Womack. Paul says that Jesus was a “minister of the circumcision,” not a “minister of circumcision.” Jesus was a minister to the Jews. Jesus did not preach or enforce the Old Testament command of circumcision.
In Romans 15:7, Paul concluded his remarks about walking in love toward brethren who had different convictions. He judged that on issues that were not critical to salvation, the stronger should bear with the weak. Lest someone try to cite Jesus’ exclusion of the Gentiles during His earthly ministry as proof that we can reject those who don’t conform to Jewish traditions, Paul explained why Jesus ministered nearly exclusively to the Jews. He was fulfilling God’s promises to the Jewish Patriarchs. Jesus could become the Savior of the Gentiles after He became Savior to the Jews. Paul cited several Old Testament scriptures to prove that Jesus’ present ministry embraces the Gentiles without their conversion to Judaism.
Verse 9.
“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason, I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.”
AMP. And, in order that the Gentile nations might glorify God for His mercy, not covenanted, to them. As it is written, Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles and sing praises to Your name.
TPT. And now, because of Jesus, the non-Jewish people of the world can glorify God for His kindness to them, fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture: Because of this I will proclaim you among the nations and they will hear me sing praises to your name. See Ps.18:49.
ESV. Dt. 32:43, 2 Sam. 22:50, Ps. 18:49, Ps. 117:1, Is. 11:10 include the salvation of the Gentiles with the salvation of the Jews. If the first reference is 2 Sam. 22:50, then this testimony comes from the historical books, the law, the writings, and the prophets.
Wesley. As it is written — In the eighteenth psalm, here the gentiles and Jews are spoken of as joining in the worship of the God of Israel. Psalms 18:49
LASB Study Bible. The Jews, prone to disputes from the law, and the Gentiles, prone to living without law, both praise God for His mercy and salvation in Christ.
Womack. Most scholars believe this is a quotation from Psalms 18:49. Paul verified a point he had already made in this letter to the Romans. In Romans 15:9-12, he quoted four Old Testament scriptures to verify that Christ opened up the door of salvation to the Gentiles (Psalms 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalms 117:1, and Isaiah 11:10; see also 2 Samuel 22:50 and Matthew 12:21). This was done to make it clear that Gentiles do not have to become Jews to be saved. The salvation of Gentiles as Gentiles does not fall into a nonessential doctrine category, discussed in Romans 14, on which we compromise for the sake of our weak brethren.
Verse 10.
And again, he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”
AMP. Again, it is said, Rejoice - exult -, O Gentiles, along with His own people. See Dt. 32:43.
ESV. The one people of God, both Jews and Gentiles.
Wesley. And again, he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. Deuteronomy 32:43.
Verse 11.
And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”
AMP. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him! See Ps. 117:1.
Seemuth. God was able to offer the Gentiles salvation without undermining His commitment to the Jews.
Verse 12.
And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse.
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
AMP. And further Isaiah says, there shall be a Sprout from the Root of Jesse. He Who rises to rule over the Gentiles. In Him shall the Gentiles hope.
TPT. “And Isaiah prophesied: “An heir to David’s throne will emerge, and he will rise up as ruler over all the non-Jewish nations, for all their hopes will be met in Him.” Note. Throne: “or a sprout from the root of Jesse, which is a Hebrew idiom for King David, the son of Jesse, who was promised to have an heir to his throne who would rule over not only Israel but all the nations. Note. Gentiles Hope. Or “their hopes will be placed on Him. See Is. 11:10
Wesley. There shall be the root of Jesse — That kings and the Messiah should spring from his house, was promised to Jesse before it was to David. In him shall the gentiles hope — Who before had been "without hope," Ephesians 2:12. Isaiah 11:10
Womack. This is a quotation from Isaiah 11:10.
Verse 13.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
AMP. May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the experience of your faith that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing, bubbling over, with hope.
TPT. Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope.”
Seemuth. Through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, both the weak and the strong have joy and peace. The work of the Father, the faithfulness of the Son, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit are the most essential things in the Christian life.
LASB Notes. This forms a benediction. The matters that follow concern his travel plans. He imparts confidence to his readers by reminding them that God gives us hope. Not the kind we try to talk ourselves into. God gives HOPE as a gift of the Holy Spirit (8:23-24). Paul’s hope is confidence in our resurrection from the dead with new bodies living in a new earth. With that hope, God gives us joy now as we anticipate what’s ahead and as we do His work day-by-day. We have peace as we rest assured that God will do what He promised.
ESV. Hope is the link from verse 12. See also v. 4. Joy and peace come from trusting God, but the trust is a gift from God. Believers abound in hope only by His grace.
Womack. Hope is a positive imagination. God is the God of vision, or positive imaginations, and He wants to fill us with joy, peace, and faith to produce nothing but positive imaginations. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this. We can’t do this in our human abilities. So those who are low on hope are not in the power of the Holy Spirit but in the vanity of their flesh.
Faith is a noun and believe is a verb. So, this is the acting out of faith. For faith to be practiced, joy and peace need to operate. A person without joy and peace may have faith, but they don’t truly believe.
We are to abound in hope. Hope is a distinguishing characteristic of believers. If we believe concerning our health, we will have joy, peace, and hope concerning our future. The same is true with our wealth and with those we are praying for.
Verse 14.
Now I am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
AMP. Personally, I am satisfied with you, my brethren, that you are rich in goodness, amply filled with all spiritual knowledge, and competent to admonish, counsel, and instruct one another.
Wesley. There are several conclusions of this Epistle. The first begins at this verse; the second, Romans 16:1; the third, Romans 16:17; the fourth, Romans 16:21; and the fifth, Romans 16:25; Ye are full of goodness - By being created anew. And filled with all knowledge - By long experience of the things of God. To admonish - To instruct and confirm.
ESV. Christians are no longer under the Old Covenant, hence Paul doesn’t accept that some foods are unclean (Lev. 11; Dt. 14) Still if anyone things that a food is unclean, to that person, it is unclean.
Seemuth. Paul’s Gentile ministry is to the Romans and to other parts of the world as well. He is ever mindful that his offering is to the Lord and his ministry is worship which is sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Womack. Paul lived what he preached. Romans 15:13 says that God is a God of hope. Those who operate in the Holy Spirit abound in hope, joy, and peace. Paul used hope (a positive imagination) and saw the positive side of these believers.
Verse 15.
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God.
AMP. Still on some points I have written to you the more boldly and unreservedly by way of reminder. I have done so because of the grace, the unmerited favor, bestowed on me by God.
TPT. And because of the out-pouring of God’s grace on my life to be his minister and to preach Jesus, the Anointed One, to the non-Jewish people, I have written rather boldly to you on some themes, reminding you of their importance.
ESV. The church in one sense did not need to hear what Paul wrote since they already knew the truths in the letter. Instruct means to warn, counsel, admonish which is often used of warning against wrong conduct. Acts. 20:31; I Cor. 4:14; Col. 1:28; I Thes. 5:12, 14; 2 Thes. 3:15.
Wesley. Because of the grace — That is, because I am an apostle of the gentiles.
Womack. Paul abounded in hope toward the Roman believers. But he knew there were things that needed to be straightened out, and that’s why he wrote the letter.
Verse 16.
That I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
AMP. In making me a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I act in the priestly service of the Gospel - the good news - of God, in order that the sacrificial offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable to God, consecrated, and made holy by the Holy Spirit.
ESV. Paul functions as priest of the gospel and the offering he presents to God is Gentile converts. This offering is pleasing to God since it is set apart into the realm of the holy(sanctified), by the holy Spirit.
Womack. Our worship is to be sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Until we make Jesus our Lord, the Holy Spirit does not intercede for us. Paul says that through his preaching of the Gospel and the Gentiles’ reception of salvation, the Holy Spirit was free to work on their behalf.
Verse 17.
Therefore, I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
AMP. In Christ Jesus, then, I have legitimate reason to glory and exult in my work for God in what through Christ Jesus I have accomplished concerning the things of God.
LASB Note. Paul did not want to boast about what he had done but about what God had done through him, being proud of God’s work is not a sin, it is worship. If you are not sure whether your pride is selfish or holy, ask yourself this question. Are you just as proud of what God is doing through other people as you are of what he is doing through you?
ESV. Paul in a certain sense boasts of his ministry, for in doing so he glorifies not himself but Christ, who has worked through him in his ministry to the Gentiles.
Wesley. I have whereof to glory through Jesus Christ — All my glorying is in and through him.
Womack. Paul preached the Gospel to the Gentiles, and it granted salvation to those who received it. He had quite a lot to boast (“glory”) about. His boasting was through and in Christ Jesus, not in arrogance or pride.
Verse 18.
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient.
AMP. For of course I will not venture or presume to speak of any work except what Christ has done through me as an instrument in His hands to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed.
ESV. Paul summarizes his entire ministry up to this point by saying that Christ accomplished his work through him by word and deed, that is, both by Paul’s preaching about Christ and by Paul’s actions and lifestyle, with mighty works that accompany those words.
Wesley. By word — By the power of the Spirit. By deed — Namely, through "mighty signs and wonders."
Womack. Paul didn’t claim credit for things God accomplished through others. He used his deeds as well as his words to cause the Gentiles to become obedient to the Gospel. We need Kingdom demonstration to go with our words.
Verse 19.
In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
AMP. Even as my preaching has been accompanied with the power of signs and wonders, and all of it by the power of the Holy Spirit. The result is that starting from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel faithfully executing, accomplishing, carrying out to the full the good news of Christ, the Messiah, in its entirety.
ESV. By the power of signs and wonders refers to the miracles that accompanied Paul’s gospel proclamation throughout his entire ministry. Such miracles gave a sign of the power of God, the divine origin and truth of the gospel, and God’s mercy and love for people. They were wonders in that people were amazed by them. Paul has fulfilled his mandate to preach the gospel among the Gentiles from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Albania). How can Paul say that his work has been complete when many still have not heard the gospel in this area? It can be seen from the following verses that churches have been planted in key centers, and from there Paul’s coworkers will bring the gospel to outlying areas.
Wesley. Not where Christ had been named — These places he generally declined, though not altogether, having a holy ambition (so the Greek word means) to make the first proclamation of the gospel in places where it was quite unheard of, despite all the difficulty and dangers that attended it. Lest I should only build upon another man’s foundation - The providence of God seemed in a special manner, generally, to prevent this, though not entirely, lest the enemies of the apostle, who sought every occasion to set light by him, should have had room to say that he was behind other apostles, not being sufficient for planting of churches himself, but only for preaching where others had been already; or that he declined the more difficult part of the ministry.
Womack. Paul was known for preaching the Gospel of God’s grace, but Paul had the miraculous power of God working in him too. Indeed, this should be true of all ministers of the Gospel. Paul struck Elymas, the sorcerer, with blindness, causing the conversion of Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-12). In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth (Acts 14:8-10). In Philippi, Paul cast a spirit of divination out of a girl (Acts 16:16-18), and he was also delivered from prison in that city by a miraculous earthquake (Acts 16:25-26). In Ephesus, the Lord accomplished “special miracles” through Paul by healing and delivering people as they met handkerchiefs or aprons that Paul had touched (Acts 19:11-12). In Troas, Paul raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:9-12), and while shipwrecked on the island of Melita, Paul miraculously survived a bite from a poisonous snake (Acts 28:3-6). Paul was also delivered from death at the hands of the Romans and Jews many times, including one time when he may have been raised from the dead. Paul’s life, as well as the lives of everyone on his ship, was spared from death at sea through God’s intervention (Acts 27:21-26 and 43-44). Paul also wrote to the Corinthians that the signs of an apostle were wrought among them by him (2 Corinthians 12:12), yet there is no record in Acts of a single miracle performed by Paul during his visits to Corinth (Acts 18:1-17 and 20:2-3). Therefore, it can be concluded that there were many miraculous things accomplished by Paul that were not recorded, just as in the case of our Lord Jesus (John 20:30 and 21:25).
Ancient Illyricum occupied the territory that is modern-day Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, just north of Macedonia where Thessalonica and Berea were located. There is no record of Paul preaching in this area, so it can be supposed that he is referring to ministering up to the border of this province.
Some have interpreted Paul’s statement to mean that he had covered all the area of Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia with the Gospel. The following few verses would lend themselves to that interpretation. However, the immediate context of this verse mentions “mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” This led us to believe that Paul “fully” preached the Gospel through the demonstration of God’s miraculous power. Paul might a distinction between preaching the Gospel and fully preaching the Gospel. A minister hasn’t fully preached the Gospel unless there are accompanying signs and wonders. This must be where the phrase “full Gospel” came from.
Verse 20.
And so, I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.
AMP. Thus, my ambition has been to preach the Gospel, not where Christ’s name has already been known, lest I build on another man’s foundation.
LASB Note. Paul wrote that he had ambition to share the gospel wherever it hadn’t been share3d. Paul was single-minded. Paul was passionate in service to God – to preach the gospel where Christ had not been heard. Do we want to please God in the same way?
ESV. Paul fulfilled the prophecy of Is. 52:15.
Womack. Paul burned with desire to reach the un-reached, yet the greatest legacy he left us are the letters he wrote to those who he led to the Lord. Paul evangelized and discipled people.
Verse 21.
But as it is written: “to whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand.”
AMP. But instead, I would act on the principle as it is written, they shall see who have never been told of Him, and they shall understand who have never heard of Him. Is. 52:15.
Verse 22.
For this reason, I also have been much hindered from coming to you.
AMP. This ambition is the reason why I have so frequently been hindered from coming to visit you.
LASB Note. Paul had wanted to visit the Roman church, but he had delayed his visit because there were more urgent needs elsewhere. He had heard good reports about the Roman church. His priority was to preach the gospel where Jesus had not been heard.
Wesley. Therefore, I have been long hindered from coming to you — Among whom Christ had been named.
Womack. Paul’s passion was to preach the Gospel to those who had not heard. He wanted to visit Rome, but felt it was necessary to preach the Gospel to everyone in the areas who had not heard. “Now having no more place in these parts” (Romans 15:23). There was no place left in those parts that hasn’t heard the Gospel. Therefore, he was ready to depart for new, un-reached areas.
Verse 23.
But now no longer having a place in these parts and having a great desire these many years to come to you.
AMP. But now since I have no further opportunity for work in these regions, and since I have longed for [a]enough years to come to you.
LASB Note. Most of Paul’s three-month stay in Acacia (Acts 20: 2-3) was probably spent in Corinth. He finished his work. Now he was ready to head for Rome and lands further west.
ESV. He hoped the Roman church would “send” him to Spain.
Wesley. Having no longer place in these parts — Where Christ has now been preached in every city.
Womack. In Acts 19:21, Paul purposed in his spirit to visit Rome after he had gone back through Macedonia and Achaia. This happened while he was in Ephesus from A.D. 54 to 57. Paul was writing this epistle around A.D. 57 to 58 from Corinth (see Life for Today Study Bible Notes, Introduction to Romans, Date and Place of Writing). Therefore, Paul’s “many years” refers to a two-to-three-year period.
Verse 24.
Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
AMP. I hope to see you in passing [through Rome] as I go [on my intended trip] to Spain, and to be aided on my journey there by you, after I have enjoyed your company for a little while.
Wesley. Into Spain — Where the gospel had not yet been preached. If first I may be somewhat satisfied with your company — How remarkable is the modesty with which he speaks! They might rather desire to be satisfied with his. Somewhat satisfied — Intimating the shortness of his stay; or, perhaps, that Christ alone can thoroughly satisfy the soul.
Womack. Paul mentioned his intention to travel to Spain twice in this chapter (this verse and Romans 15:28). There is no scriptural account that Paul ever made it to Spain. Some have speculated that he went to Spain after his imprisonment in Rome. There are traditions that support that but no facts.
Paul hoped that the Romans would help him with his expenses for his planned trip to Spain (“to be brought on my way thitherward by you”). See also Acts 15:3, 1 Corinthians 16:6, 2 Corinthians 1:16, and 3 John 6.
Verse 25.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
AMP. For the present, however, I am going to Jerusalem to bring aid and relief for the saints, that is, God’s people there.
ESV. Before going to Rome and Spain, Paul was going to Jerusalem to deliver a financial gift. See I Cor. 16: 1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9.
Wesley. The poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem — It can by no means be inferred from this expression, that the community of goods among the Christians was then ceased. All that can be gathered from it is, that in this time of extreme dearth, Acts 11:28-29, some of the church in Jerusalem were in want; the rest being barely able to subsist themselves, but not to supply the necessities of their brethren.
Womack. Paul was a minister to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21 and Romans 15:16), yet he was forever longing to minister to the Jews (Romans 9:1-3).
Verse 26.
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
AMP. For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make some contribution for the poor among the saints of Jerusalem.
ESV. The gifts came from cities such as Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica.
Womack. There were poor saints at Jerusalem. The church at Jerusalem had liquidated their assets and lived in a communal style, at least at first (Acts 4:34-35). There wasn’t poverty among them at first. This was motivated by their love for each other but also by their belief that the Lord would be back very soon. However, as the Lord delayed His coming, this communal lifestyle didn’t produce wealth. We don’t know when, but it was abandoned, and there was poverty in the Jerusalem church.
Acts’ account of Paul’s travels does not give us details about this collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem. However, Paul mentioned it as being the reason he made his last trip to Jerusalem (Acts 24:17), and he wrote about it in his letters to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Paul gave instructions for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. In 1 Corinthians 16:1, he said that he gave the same instructions to the churches of Galatia. It is unclear whether he was said he had also instructed the churches of Galatia to take up an offering for the Jerusalem.
At any rate, Paul delivered Macedonia and Achaia (this verse) offerings during this trip to Jerusalem. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Paul spoke favorably about the attitude the churches of Macedonia (the churches of Thessalonica and Berea) had toward this offering. He acknowledged that the churches of Achaia (the Corinthian church) had purposed to send an offering a year before the Macedonian churches had (2 Corinthians 8:10 and 9:2). Paul gave the impression that the offering from the Macedonian churches was unsolicited (2 Corinthians 8:4). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to participate generously in this offering, reminding them that they would reap proportionally to how they sowed (2 Corinthians 9:6). He stated clearly that they should not give under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7) or try to give what they didn’t have (2 Corinthians 8:11-15).
He gave them God’s promise of physical blessing if they participated (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). This must have been a relatively large sum of money for Paul to be carrying to Jerusalem. Even though Paul could have demanded these people’s trust, since he was the apostle that brought them the Gospel, he made provision for whomever they chose to accompany him to Jerusalem to make sure the money went for what it was intended (2 Corinthians 8:20-21 with 1 Corinthians 16:3). This was a benevolence offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
Verse 27.
It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
AMP. They were pleased to do it; and surely, they are in debt to them, for if these Gentiles have come to share in their [the Jerusalem Jews’] spiritual blessings, then they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
ESV. The Gentile believers were glad to help the saints at Jerusalem. That’s fitting. They shared in the spiritual blessings of the Jews; it’s only right that the Jewish believers share in the material blessings of the non-Jews.
Wesley. It hath pleased them; and they are their debtors — That is, they are bound to it, in justice as well as mercy. Spiritual things — By the preaching of the gospel. Carnal things — Things needful for the body.
Verse 28.
Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
AMP. When therefore I have completed this mission and have delivered to them [at Jerusalem] what has been raised, I shall go on by way of you to Spain.
ESV. After the collection had been delivered to Jerusalem, Paul plans to travel to Rome and then on to Spain. Paul was imprisoned, however, after he arrived in Jerusalem Pauls’ plan to come to Rome was realized but not in the way he intended.
Wesley. When I have sealed to them this fruit — When I have safely delivered to them, as under seal, this fruit of their brethren’s love. I will go by you into Spain — Such was his design; but it does not appear that Paul went into Spain. There are often holy purposes in the minds of good men, which are overruled by the providence of God so as never to take effect. And yet they are precious in the sight of God.
Womack. Notice that their gifts to the poor saints in Jerusalem would produce fruit to the believers of Macedonia and Achaia (Philippians 4:17).
This is Paul’s second mention of passing through Rome on the way to Spain (first mention - Romans 15:24). It had been his desire for a long time (Romans 15:23). The Lord leads us by desires. It’s possible that Paul should never have gone to Jerusalem. He was God’s apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), yet he was ever longing to reach the Jews (Romans 9:1-3).
Verse 29.
But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
AMP. And I know that when I do come to you, I shall come in the abundant blessing of the Gospel of Christ.
Womack. The Greek word “EIDO,” translated “sure” means “to know” (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary). Paul walked in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel. This is a positive imagination, or hope. Since this is available to all of us through Christ, it is wrong to see ourselves any other way.
What a statement! Paul had no doubt that he would be walking in the fullness of God. This reveals that walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is a choice. Some people disagree with this and say that you can’t make the blessings of God occur. Their argument is that sometimes blessings happen and other times they don’t, based on God’s choosing; otherwise, it would be like being able to turn God on and off. The answer to this is that God is always on. We are the ones who are on and off. Anytime we choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19), we can be assured that the life of God that has been given to us through Christ Jesus will flow. The responsibility to stir up the gift that is in us (2 Timothy 1:6) rests on us.
Verse 30.
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.
AMP. I appeal to you, I entreat you, brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love given by the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf.
Wesley. To strive together with me in your prayers — He must pray himself, who would have others strive together with him in prayer. Of all the apostles, St. Paul alone is recorded to desire the prayers of the faithful for himself. And this he generally does in the conclusions of his Epistles; yet not without making a difference. For he speaks in one manner to them whom he treats as his children, with the gravity or even severity of a father, such as Timothy, Titus, the Corinthians, and Galatians; in another, to them whom he treats rather like equals, such as the Romans, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Colossians, Hebrews.
Womack. This shows how important Paul thought prayer was. Paul begged these believers to intercede on his behalf.
Verse 31.
That I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.
AMP. Pray that I may be delivered and rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my mission of relief to Jerusalem may be acceptable and graciously received by the saints, God’s people there.
Wesley. That I may be delivered — He is thus urgent from a sense of the importance of his life to the church. Otherwise, he would have rejoiced "to depart, and to be with Christ." And that my service may be acceptable - Despite all their prejudices; to the end the Jewish and gentile believers may be knit together in tender love.
ESV. Two prayer requests are found here. That Paul would be delivered from unbelievers in Judea. Two, that his offering would be acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem.
Womack. Paul asked to be delivered from the unbelieving Jews in Judea. It might look like this prayer wasn’t answered. These unbelieving Jews assaulted him, which led to his arrest by the Romans (Acts 21:30-34). Paul was imprisoned for two years (Acts 24:27) in Caesarea and two more years in Rome (Acts 28:30). This wouldn’t have happened if the unbelieving Jews hadn’t pressed the matter (Acts 24:1-9 and 27). So, did this prayer not get the positive response Paul wanted, or could the results have been much worse if the Lord hadn’t intervened? It’s clear they wanted to kill him (Acts 21:31 and 23:12-22).
It’s also possible that Paul was out of God’s will by going to Jerusalem and therefore out of His perfect protection.
Paul knew that trouble was waiting for him in Jerusalem. In Acts 20:22-23, he said he didn’t know what would happen in Jerusalem but knew it would be bonds and afflictions.
Verse 32.
that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and may be refreshed together with you.
AMP. So that by God’s I will subsequently come to you with joy (with a happy heart) and be refreshed [by the interval of rest] in your company.
Womack. In the previous verses, Paul had expressed his earnest desire to go to Rome and share the Gospel with them. In Romans 15:30-31, Paul had solicited prayers that he would be delivered from the unbelieving Jews in Judaea so he could come to the believers in Rome with joy. He came to Rome in chains as a Roman prisoner.
Verse 33.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
AMP. May our peace-giving God be with you all! Amen (so be it).
Womack. What a wonderful title for our Lord: “the God of peace.” Since God is almighty, He could have been whatever He wanted to be. But God is a God of peace. What a blessing to us that this is His nature.
Wesley. That I may come to you — This refers to the former, With joy - To the latter, part of the preceding verse.