15:27
The Gentiles had received spiritual blessings from the Jews. We do well to remember this today, and the church would have avoided some major sins if it had done so throughout history. The Old and New Testaments are a continuum, there is no division between them. Both are concerned with the salvation of Israel and the salvation of the whole of mankind (ie the Gentiles). We are in it together! So the Gentiles had an obligation to help the Jews out materially. 1 Cor 9:11, referring to the same collection, makes a similar point. Today Israel is not a poor nation materially, but we should pray fervently for that nation. This does not mean saying everything Israel does is correct, they do much wrong and are indeed a very atheistic nation. But we should pray for their well being, for their repentance and coming to faith in Christ.
15:28,29
So Paul planned first of all to complete his mission of taking the collection to the Jews (this was probably primarily the Jewish Christians). Then he planned to go on to Spain, visiting the Romans on the way. He would come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. The visit would not be a quick stopover but a significant stay and he would seek to build up the church.
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