Paul Coming to Spain Romans 15:28

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome, “ it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem”, and he added, “It has 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.” In chapter fifteen and verse twenty-eight of Romans, Paul told the believers he would come by them, “into Spain” where we read:

When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

The verse begins, “When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, ...” Paul began with the word, “when therefore” or “accordingly, consequently, verily, wherefore and these things being so” “I have performed this” which means “Paul brought to an end, accomplished, perfected, executed and completed the carrying of the offering”, “and have sealed to them” or “and have marked, hidden, kept in silence, proved, authenticated, confirmed and attested to the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” “this fruit” which means “this work, act, deed, effect, advantage and profit”. Paul was to take the offering to the “poor” believers in Jerusalem, and “authenticate” the gift as from the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

The verse goes on to say, “... I will come by you into Spain.”. Paul added the words, “I will come” which means “Paul would depart, go his way and go after” “by you” or “through and by means of the believers in Rome” “into Spain” which refers to “to and towards the whole peninsula south of the Pyrenees whose name means scarceness”. After Paul took his gift to the “poor” in Jerusalem, he intended to visit the believers in Rome when he traveled to Spain.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we discover his care and concern for the believers in Rome. Though he fully intended with purpose to go to Jerusalem with Macedonia and Achaia's offering, he desired to visit the believers in Rome as well. This desire comes from God who wants every person to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and He puts the inclination for fellowship with other believers within them. Paul desired to bless the “poor” believers in Jerusalem, and he wanted to visit the believers in Rome. Perhaps those reading these words have other believer with whom they would like to visit and share, and now is a great time for doing so.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome how he, “shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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