Paul's Request to be Delivered Romans 15:31

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome, “I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake,

and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-one of Romans, Paul asked the believers to pray that he, “may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea” where we read:

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

The verse begins, “That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea;” Paul began with the words, “that I may be delivered” which means “to be rescued” “from them that do not believe” or “apart and separate from the people who are not persuaded, withheld belief and obedience” “in Judaea” which refers to “the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea which distinguishes it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea”. Paul wanted the believers in Rome to pray that he might be “rescued” from the unbelievers in “Judaea”.

The verse continues, “and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;”. Paul added the words, “and that my service” which means “and that Paul's ministering and executing the commands of others” “which I have for Jerusalem” which means “that Paul had for Jerusalem” “may be accepted” which means “would be well received, approved and favorable” “of the saints” or “pertaining to the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated believers”. Paul also wanted prayer for his ministry to the “saints in Jerusalem” so he might be “accepted” by them.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see his need for prayer for his ventures to both Judaea and Jerusalem. He knew there were people in Judaea who did not believe in Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and they would possibly be a challenge for him. Even though he was going to provide an offering to the believers in Jerusalem, he was not certain he would be “accepted” by them. God desires for all people to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and there will be some who do not receive Him and some who were be non-accepting of some who are saved. In either case, prayer is an essential component to serving the Lord as He desires.

Next time Paul continues his request to the believers in Rome as he desired, “that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.