Romans 15:22-33
…I have so often been hindered from coming to you. (v. 22b) Way back on March 31 I posted that Paul had gone south from Thessalonica to Berea, then on to Athens and Corinth. He was being hassled by Jews in Thessalonica, so much so that The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea… (Acts 17:10) I had argued that Paul’s original intent may have been to continue west on the Egnatian Way so as to go to Rome, bypassing Achaia totally, and this may have been one of those times when he was hindered from going to Rome. We’ll never know – it was a big maybe on my part!
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. (vv. 25-26) It’s so nice to tie things together. We have been reading in I and II Corinthians about this collection in Thessalonica, Philippi, and Corinth for the relief of the Jerusalem Christians. Now we see mention of it here in Romans and we already knew about it. Nice…
Finally, Paul is asking for prayers by the Roman Christians …that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea… (v. 31a) That did not happen. We will soon learn that he was arrested in Jerusalem because of an altercation with the unbelieving Jews and that he was held in custody for his own protection. He finally did get to Rome, but as a prisoner. So, his prayer request did not get answered in the way Paul had intended. The Holy Spirit had other plans.
Slava Bohu!