ness and respect; and also to make provision for his journey ; see Acts 15 : 3. 20 : 38. 1 Cor. 16:6. 2 Cor. 1 : 16.
(25) But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints^ i. e, to supply the wants of the saints, distributing to them the contributions of the churches ; see Heb. 6:10; compare also Matt. 8 : 15. Mark 1 : 31. Luke 4 : 39, in which places the word signifies to set foot before any one,- and, hence, more generally, to supply his necessities.
(26, 27) For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Jlchaia to make a contribution for the poor, saints which are at Jerusalem. Having mentioned this fact, the apostle immediately seizes the opportunity of showing the reasonableness and duty of making these contributions. This he does in such a way as not to detract from the credit due to the Grecian churches, while he shows that it was but a matter of justice to act as they had done. It hath pleased them verily ; and their debtors they are, i.e. 'It pleased them / say, they did it voluntarily, yet it was but reasonable they should do it.' The ground of this statement is im- mediately added : For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things. * If the Gentiles have received the greater good from the Jews, they may well be expected to contribute the lesser.' The word rendered to minister may have the general sense of serving ; or it may be used with some allusion to the service being a sacred duty, a kind of offering which is acceptable to God.
(28) When, therefore, I have done this, and sealed unto them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. The word sealed appears here to be used figuratively, 'When I have safely delivered this fruit to them.' Commentators compare the use of the Latin words consignare, consigna- tio, and of the English word consign.
(29) And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the ful- ness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. The fulness of the blessing means the abundant blessing. Paul was persuaded that God, who had so richly crowned his labours in other places, would cause his visit to Rome to be attended by those abundant blessings which the gospel of Christ is adapted to produce. He had, in ch. 1 : 11, expressed his desire to visit the Roman Christians, that he might impart unto them some spi- ritual gift, to the end that they might be established.
(30) Now I beseech you, brethren, for our Lord Jesus Chrisfs sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your pray- ers to God for me. As the apostle was not immediately to see them, and knew that he would, in the mean time, be exposed to many dangers, he earnestly begged them to aid him with their prayers. He enforces this request by the tenderest considerations ; for our Lord Jesus Chrisfs sake, i. e. out of regard to the Lord Jesus ; ' "Whatever regard you have for him, and whatever desire to see his cause prosper in which 1 am engaged, let it induce you to pray for me.' And for the love of the Spirit, i. e. ' for that love of which the Holy Spirit is the author, and by which