but
now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you, whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
Romans 15:23-24
Romans 15 [21.] But, as it is written,
“They will see, to whom no news of him came.
They who haven’t heard will understand.”
Romans 15 [22.] Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you, but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you, whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
Romans 15 [25.] But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things. When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
Meaning:
Near the end of his letter to the Romans, written from Corinth, Paul explains his travel plans. He had long wanted to visit the believers in Rome, a church he had not founded, and now he believed the time had almost come. These verses connect with Acts, where Paul “determined in the spirit” to go to Jerusalem and said, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome” (Acts 19:21).
- “No longer having any place in these regions”
Paul had preached “from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum” (Romans 15:19). This does not mean that everyone in those lands believed, but that churches now existed in the main centres to carry on the work. His aim was to preach “not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation” (Romans 15:20). So he looked west, to lands where the name of Christ was not yet known.
- “Whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you”
Spain was at the western edge of the Roman world. Taking the Good News there would carry it toward “the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Rome would be a stopping place on the way. Paul did reach Rome, though as a prisoner (Acts 28:30). Whether he later went to Spain is not recorded in Scripture. Some early Christian writings suggest that he preached in the far west after a release from prison; others think he was never able to go. The text shows his intention, not its outcome.
- “To be helped on my way there by you”
Paul hoped the Roman believers would support his mission with supplies, companions and prayer, as churches often sent off and supplied those who travelled for the Good News (Titus 3:13). He also wanted their fellowship: “if first I may enjoy your company for a while.” Earlier he had written, “I long to see you,” so “that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12). First, though, he had to take the gift of the Gentile churches to Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27).
The Significance of Romans 15:23-24
- Plans submitted to God
Paul asked the Romans to pray “that I may come to you in joy through the will of God” (Romans 15:32). He planned boldly but held his plans before God, who brought him to Rome by an unexpected road.
- Partnership in mission
Paul did not work alone. He invited a church he had never visited to share in his mission. Every believer can take part in spreading the Good News through support, prayer and fellowship.
Cross-References:
Acts 19:21: "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." Paul’s resolve in Acts.
Romans 15:20: "making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named," Paul’s pioneering aim.
Acts 23:11: "as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome." The Lord confirms Paul’s hope.
Conclusion: Paul told the Romans that his work in the eastern regions was complete and that he hoped to visit them on his way to Spain, receiving their help and enjoying their fellowship. God did bring him to Rome, though by way of arrest and shipwreck. The passage shows a missionary heart that planned boldly, sought partnership and trusted God with the outcome.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible