Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 25

 

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. Rom 15:25

But now I... This shows that Paul was headed for his last trip to Jerusalem. After that he planned to visit Rome and Spain (Rom. 15:22-28).

minister unto the... This ministering mainly included the large collections for the poor saints at Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-28; 1Cor. 16:1-4; 2Cor. 8-9). These Gentile contributions for the poor Jewish saints demonstrated brotherly love for the Christian Jews.

Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem one more time on his way to Rome. He will make one more futile effort to reach his brothers (Jews).

Paul will endanger his life in this effort. He will be under arrest the rest of his life. When he finally arrives in Rome, much of his ministry will be from his home where he is under house arrest.

Paul balanced his tentative plans for the future with the business immediately at hand. I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there (lit., “ministering [diakonōn] to the saints”). Paul’s visit to Jerusalem was to deliver the voluntary offering from churches for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 24:17; 1Cor. 16:1-4; 2Cor. 8:13-14; 9:12-13; Gal. 2:10).