Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 15:14-33

The letter passes to personal matters (a) 14–21 a delicate apology and justification of the letter itself: it is not sent with a view to supplementing deficiencies of the Roman Christians, but partly, at least, to remind them of the great truths of the Gospel, and justified by the writer’s commission and experience, all under Christ, and of Christ’s work among the Gentiles through him, (b) 22–29 it is the outcome of the affection which has always made him eager to visit them, and now that his work in Achaia and the east is finished, he proposes to visit them on the way to Spain, first fulfilling a commission of love and gratitude from his Gentile churches to Jerusalem, where he hopes that his visit will be accompanied by a consummate blessing of Christ, (c) 30–33. Meantime he almost passionately begs for their prayers that he himself may be rescued from the attacks of the unbelievers in Jerusalem, and that the service he is engaged upon may be thoroughly acceptable to the Church there, that he may come to them in the joy of accomplished purpose and be refreshed with them for further effort. He concludes with the prayer that the GOD of that peace, which he is hazarding all to promote, may be with all at Rome, overcoming their differences too.

The object of this section is clearly to forestall misconceptions and to establish a thorough understanding and mutual sympathy between writer and readers. The dominant interest of S. Paul at the time is shown to be the cementing of the union of Jew and Gentile within the Church, the crucial example and the earnest of the establishment of the full peace of GOD between man and man in all their differences. This brings in the note of deep and almost passionate feeling: and corresponds with the tone and interest of the whole Epistle. The object of the proposed journey to Rome, for which this letter is a preparation, is shown to be twofold: (a) to make personal acquaintance with the Roman Church and to advance the Gospel among them, (b) to secure a base of operations for renewed missionary activity, in Spain.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 15:14-33

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