Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 30

 

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; Rom 15:30

Now I beseech... Paul explains here that their prayers for him should not be just because they love him, but for the sake of all Christianity.

love of the... The phrase “love of the Spirit” appears only here in Scripture and refers to Paul’s love for the Holy Spirit, not the Spirit’s love for him.

that ye strive... It is noticeable that Paul never got so full of the fullness of God that he felt he did not need prayers of the saints and continued blessings of God.

We see a simple request from Paul here. He just says pray for me. It is such a shame that he would even have to ask.

Your pastor needs your prayers. In our society today, it seems the pastor is ridiculed from all sides and few think to pray for him.

If the enemy can stop the pastor of a church, he can usually destroy that church. In the next Scripture, you can see why you need to pray for the preacher.

2Cor. 4:5: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

The Apostle Paul recognized his need for intercessory prayer support from his readers and asked for it again and again (Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3-4; 1Thes. 5:25; 2Thes. 3:1-2; Phlm. 1:22). Here he entreated the Romans by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to join him in his struggle through prayer. “The love of the Spirit” is probably the love given by the Spirit (cf. Rom. 5:5), not love for the Spirit. Recognizing that divine love, they would be motivated to pray. A Christian’s intercession is a means of sharing in the ministry of others.

Ezekiel Chapter 42 Vs. 18

 The Temple's Chambers

He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. Eze 42:18

The south side is the same measurement as the east, or the north.

The complex was a square measuring 875 feet (500 cubits) on each side. The total area occupied by this temple area was 765,625 square feet — enough square feet for more than 13 football fields!

Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 29

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Rom 15:29

And I am... Here we have Paul’s confidence stated that when he visited them, he would come to them with all the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God and of the gospel of Christ. This confirms the fact that one man may be filled with all the fullness of God and have all the gifts and fruit of the Spirit of 1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23. He had already told them that he planned to impart to them some spiritual gift to the end that they would be established (Rom. 1:11).

I shall come... Paul is saying that God will be with him as he brings the gospel message to Rome. God wants Paul to take the message to Rome.

Eph. 1:3 “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:”

This fullness of the Godhead includes Father, Word, and Holy Ghost. It is as if Paul is saying they are all in the gospel message, and they truly are.

Christians should plan ahead, but they should also be flexible. Paul, not boastfully but simply confident of God’s provision, promised that his visit would be a spiritual blessing to the Roman Christians: I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ, that is, with Christ’s blessing to share with them (cf. Rom. 1:11-13). 

Ezekiel Chapter 42 Vs. 17

 The Temple's Chambers

He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. Eze 42:17

The north is the same as the east.

Again a reed is around 10 feet so this is almost a mile. This would be between 4500 and 5250 feet, according to how long a reed is. He measured the east wall first, keeping in mind the verse above.

The outer walls of the temple

After the angel measured everything within the temple complex, he led Ezekiel outside to record the external dimensions of the temple. The complex was a square measuring 875 feet (500 cubits) on each side.

Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 28

 

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Rom 15:28

When therefore I... When I take the collections for the poor saints to Jerusalem, I plan to go to Spain and I will come by Rome to see you.

Paul is explaining to the Romans why he is going by Jerusalem before he comes to Rome. We all know that this is just one of the reasons. Paul wants to try to win his Jewish brothers to Christianity.

and have sealed... The financial gift or “fruit” is the gift for the Jerusalem church; the fruit of their genuine love and gratitude.

Again Paul said that after going to Jerusalem he would go to Spain and visit the Romans on the way (cf. Rom. 15:24). Paul got to Rome, but not when or in the manner he anticipated! (Acts 27-28) Whether he ever got to Spain no one knows for sure. Christians should plan ahead, but they should also be flexible.

Ezekiel Chapter 42 Vs. 16

 The Temple's Chambers

He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. Eze 42:16

the measuring reed... A measure of 10 feet 6 inches, or 6 long cubits.

five hundred reeds,... The Septuagint reads: "five hundred cubits with the measuring reed" instead of "five hundred reeds." The Moffatt, Berkeley, and a few other versions and most commentators agree with this rendering; but here and in versions of Fenton, Young, and Rotherham it says "reeds" or "rods." Five hundred reeds would be 5,250 feet, nearly a mile square. If reeds instead of cubits is the true measurement in this passage, then we can make a new figure of a larger plot of ground around the 500 cubits mentioned in the measurements of these chapters. The wall around it might enclose landscaping, gardens, flowers and shrubs—nothing is said about what occupies such a space. The only reference is to a difference between a profane place and the sanctuary which is definitely the 500-cubit square of these many measurements (Eze. 42:20).

Again a reed is around 10 feet so this is almost a mile. This would be between 4500 and 5250 feet, according to how long a reed is. He measured the east wall first, keeping in mind the above.

The complex was a square measuring 875 feet (500 cubits) on each side. The total area occupied by this temple area was 765,625 square feet — enough square feet for more than 13 football fields!

Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 27

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

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. Rom 15:27

debtors they are... Here Paul again states that Gentile Christians were debtors to the Jews who had been used of God to receive the Scriptures and through whom Christ came according to the flesh. Now he points out that it is only right to help the Jews in carnal things.

We see here, that they really do appreciate all of the hardships that these saints at Jerusalem have gone through to send them the word of God. We know that many of these saints gave up everything they had to follow Jesus. It is only fair that they should live of the gifts given to the ministry.

1Cor. 9:11 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

partakers of their... The “things” were gospel truths first preached to the Gentile believers by the Jewish apostles, prophets, teachers and evangelists.

their duty is... You can see that they brought the salvation message unselfishly to these people at cost of their livelihoods. The spiritual gift is far greater than the carnal. They are happy to send gifts in appreciation to them.

The voluntary nature of the contribution (koinōnian, “fellowship”) is stressed by the repetition of the verb, were pleased (cf. Rom. 15:26-27; 2Cor. 8:10-12). At the same time Paul recognized the churches had an obligation: Indeed they owe it to them (lit., “and they are debtors to them”). This sense of moral obligation had undoubtedly prompted Paul to suggest the offering. Since the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings (lit., “in their spiritual things”; cf. Rom. 11:11-12, 11:17-18; 15:12; Gal. 3:14; Eph. 3:6), Gentile Christians certainly ought to share with (leitourgēsai, “to minister to, serve”; cf. leitourgon in Rom. 15:16) the Jews their material blessings (lit., “in fleshly things”; cf. Gal. 6:6).