Paul evidently anticipated the completion of this project eagerly. The money given was "fruit" in that it was the product of gospel seed-sowing. Paul as "apostle to the Gentiles" evidently wanted the gift to serve as a token of the Gentile churches" love and gratitude to the Jerusalem church. Or possibly he wanted it to serve as a token of the fruit that God had produced among the Gentiles because of the Jerusalem church. [1][source]
Context Summary
Romans 15:22-33 - Ambitious To Render Service
The Apostle felt that it was in the line of the divine will that he should visit Rome, Romans 1:10. Relying, as he did, on the efficacy of prayer, it is not surprising to find him urging his Roman friends to unite with him in asking, as in Romans 15:31-32, that his way may be made plain. The prayer was not answered quite as he expected. He little thought that he would come as a prisoner, bound to a soldier, and at the expense of the Roman Empire. Yet he came with joy, and found refreshment and rest with the beloved circle of disciples whom he enumerates in the following chapter. How little do the most of us know of this striving in prayer! But how near we get to absent friends when we pray like this! "Strive together with me."
The love of the Spirit is a very delightful phrase. It bears witness to the personality of the Holy Spirit, for love cannot be attributed to an influence. It also shows the confidence with which we may commit ourselves to His gracious indwelling and prompting. He is the Holy Spirit, but we need not shrink from Him as an awful guest. It also reminds us how deeply He may be grieved. There is no grief so poignant as that which is suffered by love. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 15
1The strong must bear with the weak 2We must not please ourselves; 3for Christ did not so; 7but receive one another, as Christ did us all; 8both Jews and Gentiles; 15Paul excuses his writing; 28and promises to see them; 30and requests their prayers
Greek Commentary for Romans 15:28
Have sealed [σπραγισαμενος] First aorist middle participle (antecedent action, having sealed) of σπραγιζω sphragizō old verb from σπραγις sphragis a seal (Romans 4:11), to stamp with a seal for security (Matthew 27:66) or for confirmation (2 Corinthians 1:22) and here in a metaphorical sense. Paul was keenly sensitive that this collection should be actually conveyed to Jerusalem free from all suspicion (2 Corinthians 8:18-23). [source]
I will go on by you [απελευσομαι δι υμων] Future middle of απερχομαι aperchomai to go off or on. Note three prepositions here He repeats the point of Romans 15:24, his temporary stay in Rome with Spain as the objective. How little we know what is ahead of us and how grateful we should be for our ignorance on this point. [source]
Galatians 3:3Are ye made perfect [ἐπιτελεῖσθε] The word is found in connection with ἀνάρχεσθαι tobegin, in 2 Corinthians 8:6; Philemon 1:6. The A.V. and Rev. render here in the passive voice. The active voice, always in N.T. with the object expressed, means to bring to completion. See Romans 15:28; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philemon 1:6; Hebrews 8:5. The passive only 1 Peter 5:9. It is true that the verb in the middle voice is not found in either N.T. or lxx; but it is not uncommon in Class. and answers better to the middle ἀναρξάμενοι havingbegun. It implies more than bringing to an end; rather to a consummation. Rend.: having begun in the spirit are ye coming to completion in the flesh? The last phrase has an ironical tinge, suggesting the absurdity of expecting perfection on the Jewish basis of legal righteousness. The present tense indicates that they have already begun upon this attempt. [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 15:28 mean?
Thisthereforehaving finishedandhaving sealedto themthefruitthisI will set offthroughyouintoSpain
Greek Commentary for Romans 15:28
First aorist middle participle (antecedent action, having sealed) of σπραγιζω sphragizō old verb from σπραγις sphragis a seal (Romans 4:11), to stamp with a seal for security (Matthew 27:66) or for confirmation (2 Corinthians 1:22) and here in a metaphorical sense. Paul was keenly sensitive that this collection should be actually conveyed to Jerusalem free from all suspicion (2 Corinthians 8:18-23). [source]
Future middle of απερχομαι aperchomai to go off or on. Note three prepositions here He repeats the point of Romans 15:24, his temporary stay in Rome with Spain as the objective. How little we know what is ahead of us and how grateful we should be for our ignorance on this point. [source]
Secured to them the product of the contribution. See on John 3:33; see on Revelation 22:10. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 15:28
The word is found in connection with ἀνάρχεσθαι tobegin, in 2 Corinthians 8:6; Philemon 1:6. The A.V. and Rev. render here in the passive voice. The active voice, always in N.T. with the object expressed, means to bring to completion. See Romans 15:28; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philemon 1:6; Hebrews 8:5. The passive only 1 Peter 5:9. It is true that the verb in the middle voice is not found in either N.T. or lxx; but it is not uncommon in Class. and answers better to the middle ἀναρξάμενοι havingbegun. It implies more than bringing to an end; rather to a consummation. Rend.: having begun in the spirit are ye coming to completion in the flesh? The last phrase has an ironical tinge, suggesting the absurdity of expecting perfection on the Jewish basis of legal righteousness. The present tense indicates that they have already begun upon this attempt. [source]