How does Paul connect mutual reception, Gentile ministry and travel plans?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Christ’s example and scripture support mutual edification; Paul describes Gentile ministry and planned Jerusalem relief before a hoped-for Rome/Spain journey.

Chapter breakdown

The stronger should bear the infirmities of the weak rather than please themselves. Each should please his neighbour for good and edification. Christ did not please himself, as the written words about reproaches falling on him show. Earlier writings serve their learning, so that patience and the comfort of the scriptures give hope. Paul asks the God of patience and comfort to grant them one mind according to Christ, glorifying the Father with one mouth. They should receive one another as Christ received them to God’s honour.

Christ was a minister of the circumcision to confirm the fathers’ promises and God’s truth. The annotation explains his office and ministry toward the Jewish people. The Gentiles glorify God for mercy; Paul cites confessing and singing among Gentiles, rejoicing with God’s people, the Gentiles praising and all people magnifying him, and Isaias’s root of Jesse rising to rule the Gentiles and receive their hope. He asks the God of hope to fill the readers with joy and peace in believing, so they abound in hope and the Holy Ghost’s power.

Paul is assured that the brethren are full of love and knowledge and able to admonish one another. He has written somewhat more boldly as a reminder because of God’s grace, as Christ’s minister among the Gentiles, sanctifying the gospel so their oblation is acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Ghost. He glories in Christ concerning God’s things. He will not speak of anything Christ has not worked through him for Gentile obedience by word and deed, signs and wonders and the Spirit’s power. From Jerusalem round about to Illyricum he has replenished the gospel. He aims to preach where Christ has not been named, rather than build on another’s foundation, citing those not told seeing and those not hearing understanding.

This has greatly hindered his coming. Now having no more place in these countries and having desired for years to come, he hopes to see the readers on his way to Spain and be brought along after partly enjoying their company. At present he goes to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. Macedonia and Achaia have pleased to contribute for the poor saints there, and owe carnal ministry for their share in spiritual things. After accomplishing this and consigning the fruit, he intends to go by the readers to Spain. He knows he will come in the abundance of gospel blessing. These are his plans and confidence, rather than a report of completed delivery.

Through Jesus and the charity of the Holy Ghost, he asks for prayers that he be delivered from Judean unbelievers, that his service and oblation be acceptable to Jerusalem’s saints, and that he visit with joy by God’s will and be refreshed. He closes with the God of peace being with them all.

The story inside

The sole minister of the circumcision annotation is attributed. No a psalm number, David identification, unevangelized East or sacerdotal liturgy is inserted, and hopes/prayer are not completed outcomes.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Receive one another unto God honor.
2
Collection delivery precedes stated Rome/Spain plan.
3
Safety and offering acceptance are prayer requests.

Test your recall

Which two concerns does Paul ask prayer for at Jerusalem?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 128920–128937
15:1. Now, we that are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. 15:2. Let every one of you please his neighbour unto good, to edification. 15:3. For Christ did not please himself: but, as it is written: The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. 15:4. For what things soever were written were written for our learning: that, through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope. 15:5. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind, one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: 15:6. That with one mind and with one mouth you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lines 128942–128959
15:8. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: Minister of the circumcision.... That is, executed his office and ministry towards the Jews, the people of the circumcision. 15:9. But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles and will sing to thy name. 15:10. And again he saith: rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people. 15:11. And again: praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles: and magnify him, all ye people. 15:12. And again, Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope.
Lines 128945–128946
Minister of the circumcision.... That is, executed his office and ministry towards the Jews, the people of the circumcision.
Lines 128961–128963
15:13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
Lines 128986–129015
15:20. And I have so preached this gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation. 15:21. But as it is written: They to whom he was not spoken of shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 15:22. For which cause also, I was hindered very much from coming to you and have been kept away till now. 15:23. But now, having no more place in these countries and having a great desire these many years past to come unto you, 15:24. When I shall begin to take my journey into Spain, I hope that, as I pass, I shall see you and be brought on my way thither by you: if first, in part, I shall have enjoyed you. 15:25. But now I shall go to Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints. 15:26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem. 15:27. For it hath pleased them: and they are their debtors. For, if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also in carnal things to minister to them. 15:28. When therefore I shall have accomplished this and consigned to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 15:29. And I know that when I come to you I shall come in the abundance of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.