Romans 15

Friday, 31 January 2014

Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. Romans 15:28

“Therefore” encompasses the thought which began in verse 22 and continued until verse 27. Based on what is stated in those verses, “Therefore, when I have performed this act…” This is the carrying of the offering from the gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the needy saints in Jerusalem. He was determined to see this through personally. When the offering was placed in their hands, he will “have sealed to them this fruit.”

Sealing in this case means the completion of the act. He will have faithfully performed his promised duty and will, in essence, have sealed it with a signet ring as a king would seal a decree or a noble would seal a letter. To seal something is to secure it. This is what he is implying. Only after that did he plan to “go by way of” Rome to Spain.

In Acts 20:4, we find that Paul had a large number of people from the various churches who traveled with him at times to ensure that all was handled circumspectly and openly –

“And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.”

Life application: When we begin a task in the Lord, it is right, fitting, and proper to see that task through to its completion. Likewise, the effort should be done openly and without any hint of impropriety. It is incumbent on all to ensure that the name of the Lord is glorified, not brought to dishonor, by our actions.

Lord God, help me to be circumspect in my life and actions so that when others see me, they will see one whose sole aim and desire is to glorify You. Help me to never bring discredit upon Your great name, but instead to bring You the praise and glory You deserve. In my own strength, I know I’ll fail, so I ask You to keep me on that straight and narrow path of righteousness. Amen.

Thursday, 30 January 2014

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. Romans 15:27

Referring to the donation from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia, Paul says that “it pleased them indeed” to give this offering. And then he explains that in fact “they are debtors” in this regard. The offering is something that, although not compulsory was still an obligation. In his explanation, he states that “if the Gentiles have been partakers of spiritual things” then they have a responsibility to the one(s) who imparted them. This responsibility and “duty is also to minister to them in material things.”

There was a great need in Jerusalem where the Jewish saints resided. Paul felt that resolving that need was something incumbent on the Gentiles who had received their spiritual heritage from those Jews who had brought the message to them. This sentiment is seen in Galatians 2:7-10 –

“But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.”

“The poor” in this passage from Galatians included those in Jerusalem from whom the spiritual heritage first came. Paul notes that they are “debtors” to them, but it isn’t Paul’s way of subordinating them in a heavy-handed manner. Rather it is acknowledging what is right and proper. We can tell this for certain because he spoke of himself in exactly this way in Romans 1:14 – “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.”

Paul felt himself a debtor and he worked tirelessly to pay the debt he felt he owed. So for him to call those Gentiles who had received their spiritual heritage from the Jews in Jerusalem “debtors” was in no way an attempt to lord his ministry over them. In other passages, he makes this same connection. Here are two for consideration –

“If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?” 1 Corinthians 9:11

“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” Galatians 6:6

Life application: From whom do you receive your spiritual things? Who is your teacher in the word of God and in Christian living? According to Paul, there is a debt which is to be paid in these matters. Take time to remember them in 1) prayer; 2) kind words and a gracious demeanor; 3) material things which will benefit them; 4) other assistance to them and their ministry.

Lord Jesus, today I want to take time to thank You for those You have placed in my path who have properly instructed me in the Word of God and in other spiritual matters. Thank You for their advice and counsel in my times of need and for their patience in explaining to me the many intricacies of the spiritual matters I have grown in. They have glorified You and I want to acknowledge my thanks to You for them. Amen. 

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. Romans 15:26

As the book of Romans supports the book of Acts (and vice versa), what Paul writes here also supports his other writings in many ways. In this verse, he notes “a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.” This in turn supports verses such as 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (which then refers to something he said in Galatians 2:10).

And the gift, when being prepared, is later noted in the following two passages from 2 Corinthians –

“Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

“Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.” 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2

Time and again, these letters and the other books of the New Testament refer to, and rely on, one another. There is ample evidence that they are a harmoniously tied-together body of work which is consistent and reliable. We need not worry about those false scholars to attempt to interject doubt into the reliability and authority of Scripture.

Having noted that, the verse being analyzed begins with “For.” It is based on what he had just said to the Romans in the previous verse – “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.” His reason for going to minister there is explained now. And that reason is that “it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make” their contribution. This was a voluntary and even joyous offering for the needy saints in Jerusalem. The Macedonians are referred to in the verses from 1 and 2 Corinthians noted above. “Achaia” is the area where Corinth was the capital.

These willing people had prepared an offering which Paul would personally oversee in order to ensure that it arrived in Jerusalem for its intended recipients. Paul took great care in ensuring that everything concerning the money was handled openly and honestly during this process.

Life application: Again today, as is the case throughout Scripture, the Bible confirms itself internally and it ensures us that it is a unified whole given to us from the wisdom of God and breathed out by His Holy Spirit through chosen prophets and apostles.

Lord, if ever I am asked to deny my faith or lose my life, I would rather die a thousand deaths than breathe a single word of denial. What could the executioner do to me but hurry me into Your presence – the very place I wish to be! Thank You for the promise of eternal life which is truly life and which comes through my Lord, JESUS. Amen.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. Romans 15:25

Before he makes any anticipated visit to Rome on his way to Spain, Paul notes that he first intends to go “to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.” This is one of many internal clues that the epistle is authentic. In Acts 19:21, we read this –

“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'”

Acts supports Paul’s words in Romans and his words here and in other epistles support the account in Acts. The Bible is a unified work which internally validates itself again and again. As we read its pages, we can have the confidence that there truly was a guiding Hand of inspiration as the Holy Spirit breathed out God’s word through the various authors.

In both 1 & 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem and he will explain the necessity for this collection and ministry a bit more in the verses ahead. It must be remembered that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and therefore, in order to maintain harmony between the Jewish believers and the Gentiles, whatever he could do for the Jews in Jerusalem would help in that endeavor. And so he painstakingly and meticulously prepared his collection for them and wanted to be present when it was transferred to those in need in Jerusalem.

Life application: Gifts and offerings are still as important today as they were in the early church. They should be considered carefully and given in a way which the most beneficial use of the money is made. Why would anyone give to a church which supports issues such as abortion or sexual perversion, either locally or within the hierarchy? We are accountable to the Lord for what we do with our gifts, so just as Paul did, cautiously consider how you will handle your giving.

Lord, I have really benefitted from so many others as I’ve studied and learned Your word. Translators, commentators, pastors, and teachers have all been a part of getting Your word to me in a way which I can understand and grow. Today I thank you for those who have so meticulously handled this precious book for my use and benefit. How blessed I am in this way. Thank You for these faithful souls! Amen. 

Monday, 27 January 2014

…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 yourcompany for a while. Romans 15:24

Paul’s intent, which is expressed in the previous verse, was to come to Rome for a visit, but this was not the purpose of coming there. Rather, it was only to be a stop on the way to Spain. Once again, Paul’s life was directed to mission-type evangelism. He desired to preach the gospel where it had not yet been preached and to establish churches as he went. His desire to visit Rome was merely to fellowship with them, encourage them, and as a point of stopping for help along the way.

In this verse, he uses the Roman term for Spain, Hispania, rather than the common Greek term, Iberia. The Iberian peninsula included the entire region of Spain and Portugal. This was Paul’s next goal in his work. It is not clear if he actually ever made it to Spain. He was imprisoned in Rome, but some early writings state that he was released for two years before being imprisoned again. In these two years, it is claimed that he actually went to Spain.

Regardless of whether he made it there or not, he stated that he hoped “to be helped on my way by you.” This sentiment is found at other times in the New Testament. A notable one is found in 3 John –

“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well…” (6, 7)

It was incumbent on the established churches to assist missionaries because there was little help to be expected from the gentiles. This wasn’t because of the coldness of the gentiles so much as it was a policy of the missionaries. The less burden on those being evangelized, the better. Paul remained a tent maker during his working years in order to not be a burden on those he ministered to. This is still seen in the mission world today. Support normally comes from the sending churches, not from those who receive the missionaries.

And so, in order to receive their help and to fellowship with them, he desired to visit them in Rome that he might “enjoy” their company for a while. The term he uses implies being gratified or satisfied in their fellowship. He was looking forward to coming to them in need of  their encouragement and leaving fully encouraged.

Life application: The need for missionaries has never ended. The world still has many places which haven’t heard the gospel. But mission work is not an end in and of itself. It should be a means of establishing churches and then moving on. Too often, mission work devolves into a constant state of externally supplied ministry. Rather, our missionaries should encourage self-sufficiency among those they evangelize.

Lord Jesus, it is a big world with many people in need of hearing the gospel message. I would hope to be a part of this. Send people into my path that I can help to encourage and support in missionary work that are capable, responsible, and sure to spread the good news in a worthy manner. And then Lord, give me the desire and ability to help them in their work. Amen.