he binds the hearts of Christians together, I beseech you,' &c. He ap peals, therefore, not only to their love of Christ, but to their love for hira self as a fellow Christian. That ye strive together with me, i. e. tha» ye aid me in my conflict by taking part in it. This they were to do bj their prayers.
(31) That I may he delivered from them that do not believe in Judea. There are three objects for which he particularly wished them to pray» his safety, the successful issue of his mission, and that he might come to them with joy. How much reason Paul had to dread the violence of the unbelieving Jews, is evident from the history given of this visit to Jeru salem, in the Acts of the Apostles. They endeavoured to destroy his life, accused him to the Roman governor, and effected his imprisonment for two years in Cesarea, whence he was sent in chains to Rome. Nor were his apprehensions confined to the unbelieving Jews ; he knew that even the Christians there, from their narrowminded prejudices against him as a preacher to the Gentiles, and as the advocate of the liberty of Christians from the yoke of the Mosaic law, were greatly imbittered against him. He, therefore, begs the Roman believers to pray that the service which (he had) for Jerusalem might he accepted of the saints. The words service which I have, &c. means the contribution which I carry to Jerusalem ; see the use of this word in 2 Cor. 8:4. 9:1, 13. Paul laboured for those whom he knew regarded him with little favour ; he calls them saints, recognises their Christian character, notwithstanding their unkindness, and urges his brethren to pray that they might be will- ing to accept of kindness at his hands.
(32) That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and that I may with you he refreshed. These words may depend upon the former part of the preceding verse, ' Pray that I may come ;' or, upon the latter part, ' Pray that I may be delivered from the Jews, and my contri- butions be accepted, so that I may come with joy,' &c. By the will of God, i. e. by the permission and favour of God. Paul seemed to look forward to his interview with the Christians at Rome, as a season of relief from conflict and labour. In Jerusalem he was beset by unbeliev- ing Jews, and harassed by Judaizing Christians; in most other places he was burdened with the care of the churches; but at Rome, which he looked upon as a resting-place rather than a field of labour, he hoped to gather strength for the prosecution of his apostolic labours in still more distant lands.
(33) Now the peace of God be with you all. As he begged them to pray for him, so he prays for them. It is a prayer of one petition ; so full of meaning, however, that no other need be added. The peace of Gody that peace which God gives, includes all the mercies necessary for the perfect blessedness of the soul.