Romans 15:28-33 (WEL) Therefore, after I have finished this and have safely delivered this fruit to them, I will come to you by way of Spain. 29 I am confident that when I come to you, I will come in the full blessing of Good News about Christ. 30 Now, I plead with you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and love for the Spirit, that you join me in earnest prayer to God for my behalf, 31 That I may be delivered from those in Judea who refuse to believe, so that my service which [I have] for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints, 32 [And] that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and be refreshed with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
V28 Therefore, after I have finished this and have safely delivered this fruit to them, I will come to you by way of Spain.
After delivering the offering to the church (believers) in Jerusalem, Paul plans to come to Rome. He did come to Rome, but it was through a much different way that he expected. See Acts chapters 21-28. Truly the heart of a missionary.
V29 I am confident that when I come to you, I will come in the full blessing of Good News about Christ.
What is the full blessing of the Good News about Christ?
The way of salvation from God’s wrath
The way of salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ
The way of salvation basics as justification, forgiveness of sins, a non-guilty conscience, adoption, gift of the Holy Spirit, fruits of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, glorification, a heavenly home, a spiritual family, comfort at death, a high priest to pray and minister to us, a source of counsel and wisdom, fellowship with God, a source of 100% truth (the Bible), and a promised resurrection.
All these blessings are granted to us by God the Father because of the ministry of His Son—Jesus. These blessings are to glorify and honor Jesus.
God is fulfilling His promise. Galatians 3:8 CSB – Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.
V30 Now, I plead with you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, that you join me in earnest prayer to God for my behalf…
Paul was worried about going to Jerusalem. He worried about being arrested, beaten, or whatever physical violence might come to him if he appeared in Jerusalem. Because of this concern, he asks the Roman brothers and sisters to pray for him. He appeals to them through our Lord Jesus (Hebrews 7:25) and through the Holy Spirit’s love for us.
V31 That I may be delivered from those in Judea who refuse to believe, so that my service which [I have] for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints…
His specific request is to be delivered, that is, that he may come to Jerusalem, give the offering, and leave without being arrested, assaulted, abused, etc. This service refers to an offering—to God upon the Jerusalem believers.
The Greek word for delivered is G4506 ῥύομαι rhýoma, which means rescued (literally a rushing through).
V32 [And] that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and be refreshed with you.
The second part of Paul’s request is his desire to come to Rome with joy, in God’s will, and both to be refreshed spiritually by fellowship with each other. Note, the joy, the joy of meeting fellow believers.
“Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross” ~S.D. Gordon
The Greek word refreshed is G4875 συναναπαύομαι synanapaúomai, which means to rest together (literally) and refresh (mutual rest). When used physically, it means a husband and wife (Thayer) “to sleep together, to lie with, of husband and wife.”
V33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul’s prayer for our fellow believers in Rome.
We learn:
- Godly desire for fellowship.
- Praying for one another.
Questions:
- Are you desiring fellowship?
- Are you praying for others?