Romans 15:30-33: "Refreshment"
Paul had just previously explained his desire to come to the saints in Rome, however, he had been held up for several years from doing so because of God's call in his life elsewhere. He most recently knew he had to be in Jerusalem, and further delay their meeting, so that he may minister to the immature and disunified body. Paul now urges his brethren in Rome to be in prayer for Him. He begins, "Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me". Paul, understanding the importance of God's assistance and reliance on His power, pleads with his brethren to pray for him. He asks them to pray "by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit". It is the compassion of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to accomplish anything. Understanding that, Paul urges them to pray for him. He also makes it known that he is diligently praying as well, as he asks them to "strive together". Paul's first request is, "that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea". MacArthur explains, "In this context it refers to Jews who obstinately refused to believe the gospel and therefore were disobedient to God, whose Son, the Messiah, they rejected. It is therefore rendered 'do not believe' in the King James Version . . . Paul's request to be delivered was not for the purpose of his being spared further persecution or even death. He unselfishly wanted to be delivered only to the extent necessary for him to complete the ministry the Lord had given him". Paul's focus was not on himself, but was the ministry of the gospel to those who had never heard. He knew he had more ministry to accomplish before he was taken away, and therefore, was urging prayers for his safety to be able to carry out that goal.
Paul's second request is "that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints". MacArthur writes, "he wanted his ministry to benefit the Lord's people there, at the birthplace of the church. He was not concerned for what might be called professional success". By divine standards and the furtherment of the kingdom, Paul wanted success. He wanted his ministry to be acceptable to God, the one he served. MacArthur points out, "Paul's prayer for success in Jerusalem also was answered. 'When we had come to Jerusalem,' Luke says, 'the brethren received us gladly. . . . And after [Paul] had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God' (Acts 21:17, 19-20)".
Paul's third request is "that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company". Paul finds joy in the fellowship with others who are like-minded. He knows he will find joy in his visit because it will be by the will of God. Paul had not tried to force the issue earlier, but instead had waited until all other ministry had been accomplished. Therefore, knowing that it was the right time, he looked forward to the rewarding and refreshing time he would have with his brethren in Rome. God has given us many earthly pleasures to enjoy. We enjoy sports, hanging out with friends, vacations, good food, etc. All these are wonderful things that the Lord delights in providing us with. However, all of these must be done within the parameters of what God has for us. If we set our eyes in only drawing enjoyment from these things, and not from the one who gives, we will not find the satisfaction and refreshment that Paul is speaking of. We must understand what God's plan for us is, and that is to be obedient to His Word. When we are pleasing to God and drawing enjoyment from what he has blessed us with there is no greater satisfaction.
Paul closes, "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen". MacArthur writes, "On the human level, Paul's life as an apostle was far from peaceful. As far as outward particulars were concerned, he lived in uncertainty and often turmoil. He was under almost continual threat against his physical safety and life. But he knew intimately the God of peace, and he lived himself in the peace and settled tranquility that God gives to those who faithfully abide in His will. Amen".
Paul's second request is "that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints". MacArthur writes, "he wanted his ministry to benefit the Lord's people there, at the birthplace of the church. He was not concerned for what might be called professional success". By divine standards and the furtherment of the kingdom, Paul wanted success. He wanted his ministry to be acceptable to God, the one he served. MacArthur points out, "Paul's prayer for success in Jerusalem also was answered. 'When we had come to Jerusalem,' Luke says, 'the brethren received us gladly. . . . And after [Paul] had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God' (Acts 21:17, 19-20)".
Paul's third request is "that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company". Paul finds joy in the fellowship with others who are like-minded. He knows he will find joy in his visit because it will be by the will of God. Paul had not tried to force the issue earlier, but instead had waited until all other ministry had been accomplished. Therefore, knowing that it was the right time, he looked forward to the rewarding and refreshing time he would have with his brethren in Rome. God has given us many earthly pleasures to enjoy. We enjoy sports, hanging out with friends, vacations, good food, etc. All these are wonderful things that the Lord delights in providing us with. However, all of these must be done within the parameters of what God has for us. If we set our eyes in only drawing enjoyment from these things, and not from the one who gives, we will not find the satisfaction and refreshment that Paul is speaking of. We must understand what God's plan for us is, and that is to be obedient to His Word. When we are pleasing to God and drawing enjoyment from what he has blessed us with there is no greater satisfaction.
Paul closes, "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen". MacArthur writes, "On the human level, Paul's life as an apostle was far from peaceful. As far as outward particulars were concerned, he lived in uncertainty and often turmoil. He was under almost continual threat against his physical safety and life. But he knew intimately the God of peace, and he lived himself in the peace and settled tranquility that God gives to those who faithfully abide in His will. Amen".
posted by amesfam | 9:42 AM
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