Romans 15:27-29

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 113 Chapter 15:27 – 29

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 27 “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”
1. What simply that is the thought here is the church at Jerusalem had reached a financial difficulty.

a. Persecution on this church was horrible, remember Saul (or Paul had started the persecution back in Acts Chapter 8 - Acts 8:1 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

b. The church seemed to be in financial difficulty and needed help. This is why Paul was going to return to help raise funds for the church. Verse 25 “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.” – it is believed that the word “minister” here is not to preach but rather to work more like a Missionary and help distribute collected funds to the poor Jerusalem church members.

c. One writer said it is like “A foreign missions in reverse! It is the missionary church helping the home church.”

d. All churches had their beginning at Jerusalem.

e. We see in Verse 26 that Paul had already collected funds from two churches. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia (ach-ah-ee'-ah) to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”

2. “…For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”

a. The thought here is – if the Gentile churches received such a wonderful gift from the church at Jerusalem spiritually such as salvation but the witnessing of the gospel, the authority to be a church, and etc, then the churches owed the home church carnal things such as money, food, and etc. basically it is a reverse mission work.

b. This is an issue we have today in churches, there is not much help anymore from one church to another; churches are also not doing their part in mission work.

c. I think churches fail in faith that God will supply the churches more funds that use their funds wisely in helping other Christians and churches.

d. The Lord tells the churches repeatedly in the scriptures to help others in need and I believe we fail in this area somewhat.

2. Verse 28 “When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.”
1. “When therefore I have performed this…” – It would be after this mission was over of distributing the collected funds to Jerusalem that Paul had planned to head toward Spain and stop by Rome.
2. “…and have sealed to them this fruit…” – The word “sealed” here means - To stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation by implication to keep secret – I believe Paul is saying I am personally going to deliver this so that it is sure to be delivered. People and churches trusted Paul therefore it was he that must deliver these funds. It is sort of a guarantee, like what we see in John 3:33 "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."
3. Verse 29 “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”
1. First notice the word “gospel” – it is said that the oldest manuscripts do not contain this word and that the King James translators have added it. It is true that no other version contains this word. Therefore it is believed that this should read – “I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.” Or I will come if Christ wills it.
2. Paul only moved at the will of God, he was certain that if he was going to go somewhere or do something it was by Gods will only. Therefore he was convinced that it was Gods will for him to visit Rome after his work in Jerusalem was complete.
3. Acts 19:21 "After these things were ended, 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 23:11 “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
4. Now remember Paul did make it to Rome but as a prisoner. Acts 28:16 - 17 "And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. (17.) And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans."
5. Now some may not consider this the will of God nor consider this a prosperous journey, but it was Gods will and therefore it was both. Sometimes God leads us through the fire; not to harm us but to His own profit. As long as it bring glory to God then so be it and I am sure that this was exactly Paul’s thinking here.