15:23,24
However, Paul has now taken the gospel to all the places he could in southern Europe. So at last he can make plans to go and see them, and was going to do so on his way to Spain. Now the to the best of our knowledge he never made it to Spain, and the account in Acts tells us the circumstances under which he did eventually get to Rome. Things to do not always work out exactly as we expect them to. He intended to spend some time in Rome and to use this as a launching pad for his planned work in Spain. Paul did indeed spend some time in Rome, mostly in captivity.
15:25
Paul was currently on his way to Jerusalem. We know from Acts that most thought he was foolish to go there because of the great danger he would face. Events proved that there was indeed great danger. There were attempts on his life and he ended up being held in captivity, eventually being sent to Rome. So in one sense those who warned him were correct, but Paul knew what God’s plans were and that everything was part of the plan so that he would speak to rulers, and would eventually get to Rome. Whether something is God’s will or not is not simply a matter of whether it works out well or not.
15:26
The immediate purpose of the visit was to take money to the church in Jerusalem. Hard times had hit them and Paul had been organising a collection for the people. Churches in Macedonia and Achaia had been particularly generous in providing for Jerusalem.
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