Paul’s long-term desire was to preach the gospel in Rome.  Because he had completed his task of doing so in every area of his world.

“But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions” (v. 23).

It isn’t that all these regions were saved.  It’s that he had proclaimed the gospel there in the cities.  The people knew and heard of him and had heard the gospel.  And his desire was that he would always preach in other lands.

So he was heading their way.  His destination was Spain, but he was going to stop in Rome on his journey.  He wanted to spend some time with them, but also he was clear that he anticipated that they would help him on his missionary journy.

“I hope to visit while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for awhile” (v. 24).

He had not been there yet, but they knew about him.  And he was writing to them as an apostle to minister to them.

It goes without saying that believers have an obligation to financially assist and support those who are doing the work of ministry.  It is the way the gospel goes forth.  When that does not happen, people have to “return to their fields” to pay for themselves.  And as we have seen in Nehemiah, this is not pleasing to God (Nehemiah 13).

If you think the world is a mess, then invest in those working to reach the world with the gospel.

Paul had just come from Macedonia and Achaia.  These were a group of people that were happy to give.  This was the church mainly at Philippi whom Paul said helped him in the matter of giving and receiving (Php 4:15).  They were the example of sacrificial generosity.

And “they were pleased to do it” (v. 27).

Their giving was not just to Paul but to the believers in Jerusalem, the Jews, who were going through a season of suffering.  They wanted to help them.  And it was right to do so.

“They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them.  For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings” (v. 27).

So Paul was first going to go to Jerusalem to deliver the gift of love to Jerusalem.  After that he intended to go to Spain, but first to stop in Rome.

“So after I have completed the task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go on to Spain and visit you on the way.  I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ” (v. 28-29).

What does “I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ” mean?  Likely the mutual encouragement that he talks about.  It is not probably financial as he was bringing them a financial gift.  But moreso that he would be enriched by the Jewish believers in Christ and bring that overflow to them.

But before he finished his logistical remarks, he asks for prayer.

1) Prayer for rescue from the unbelievers.

Paul rarely asks for protection.  But it is clear that things were heated.

“Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea” (v. 31)

2) Pray that my service may be acceptable.

Paul wanted to bless the believers there in a way that was received by them.  So that was his second prayer request.

“that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable” (v. 31).

The goal was that his time in Jerusalem blessing the saints in their hardship would be fruitful and life-giving.  That way when he came to Rome, he could come with joy and together there could be refreshment.

“so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed” (v. 32).

Paul ends with a blessing.

“The God of peace be with you all.  Amen.” (v 33).

It is interesting listening to a lot of testimonies of those who have left one particular faith.  The same thing they say over and over is that they are surprised with the amount of peace they have.

He is the God of peace.  The giver of peace,  It does not mean we always have peaceful situations (Paul’s life was at risk in Jerusalem in this very context), but there is peace in our hearts that surpasses all our understanding.