Romans 15:26-27
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The phrase "poor saints" doesn't mean all the believers in Jerusalem were destitute; rather, it highlights the "poor among the saints." This subtle distinction is crucial, showing that while many in the early church faced hardship, their identity as "saints" – set apart by God – remained intact. It also reveals that this generous "contribution," which the original language calls a "fellowship," was about sharing resources and love across different communities.
For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining his upcoming trip to Jerusalem, where he will deliver a collection of funds gathered from Gentile churches. This offering is meant to support the poor believers in Jerusalem, many of whom were suffering due to persecution and economic hardship. By highlighting the generosity of the churches in Macedonia and Achaia, Paul sets the stage for appealing to the Roman believers to also participate in this act of mutual support and unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Why did believers in Greece feel compelled to send money to Jerusalem? It wasn't just charity; it was a matter of spiritual debt.
The early church saw an incredible exchange happening: God's spiritual blessings flowed from the Jewish people to the Gentile believers in places like Macedonia and Achaia. Paul argues that this sharing of spiritual truths created a powerful obligation, a 'debt,' for the Gentile believers to share their 'carnal' or material resources with their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.
Think of it like this: if someone shares an amazing spiritual insight with you that changes your life, you'd naturally want to support them or help them out in practical ways. That's the spirit here. This wasn't just a one-way street of giving; it was a reciprocal relationship born out of a shared faith and the profound spiritual inheritance they all received from Jerusalem.
The word Paul uses for 'contribution' is richer than we might think. It speaks to a deep connection between believers.
The Greek word translated as 'contribution' (koinonian) is the same word often translated as 'fellowship' or 'sharing.' This isn't just about handing over money; it's about actively participating in the life and needs of other believers. It's a tangible expression of the 'fellowship' they shared as members of the same spiritual body.
The believers in Macedonia and Achaia weren't just giving charity; they were engaging in an act of communion. They were sharing their abundance with those in need, demonstrating that their spiritual unity transcended geographical distance and cultural differences. This act solidified their bond, showing that what impacted one part of the body impacted all.
Ask a follow-up
The collection wasn't for every believer in Jerusalem, but for a specific group. Why does this distinction matter?
Paul is careful to say the contribution was 'for the poor among the saints.' This highlights that not all believers in Jerusalem were poor, but a significant number were. Several factors likely contributed to this:
This focus underscores that Christian generosity is often directed towards specific needs within the community of faith, showing discernment and a commitment to supporting those who are most vulnerable.
Understand the original words
Makedonia · Greek Noun
Referring to the inhabitants of the Roman province of Macedonia (Northern Greece), used here to denote the churches in that region who contributed to the collection.
Achaia · Greek Noun
Referring to the Roman province covering Southern Greece, including the city of Corinth, whose churches participated in the financial relief effort.
koinōnia · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, this refers to a voluntary gift or fellowship offering given to support others in the faith, reflecting the unity of the body of Christ.
hagios · Greek Noun
Believers in Christ; those who are set apart by God for His purposes and are considered holy through the work of Jesus.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Non-Jewish peoples; often contrasted with the Jewish people, but in the context of the Gospel, it refers to those brought into the family of God through faith in Christ.
pneumatikos · Greek Adjective
Refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel, and the salvation that originated from the Jewish people, which the Gentiles now partake in.
This act of solidarity between Gentile believers in Greece and Jewish believers in Jerusalem highlights a crucial element of early Christian life: overcoming cultural and ethnic divides through shared faith and mutual support, made possible by the gospel.
c. AD 30-33
Founding of the Jerusalem Church
Following Jesus' ascension, the early Christian community forms in Jerusalem, including many devout Jews. Some disciples sell possessions to support the community.
c. AD 44-48
Famine in Judea
A widespread famine strikes the Roman world, severely impacting Jerusalem. Believers in Antioch, including Paul and Barnabas, organize relief efforts for the Judean churches.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Collection Efforts
Paul actively organizes a major collection among Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia for the needy believers in Jerusalem. This involves extensive communication and instruction.
c. AD 55-57— this verse
Collection Reaches Jerusalem
The Apostle Paul travels to Jerusalem, carrying the substantial financial contribution gathered from the Gentile churches. He presents it to the leaders of the Jerusalem church.
c. AD 57
Writing of Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Romans, likely from Corinth in Achaia, referencing the completed collection as evidence of unity and a practical demonstration of the gospel's work.
This passage directly parallels the Romans text, highlighting the incredible generosity and eagerness of the Macedonian churches in their 'contribution' (which is the same Greek word used in Romans 15:26) for the believers in Jerusalem, emphasizing that this giving was a joyful act flowing from their experience of God's grace.
Acts 11:27-30This shows an earlier instance of a similar collection, where prophets from Jerusalem traveled to Antioch to warn of a coming famine, and the Antiochian believers, both Gentile and Jewish, decided to send relief to their brothers and sisters in Judea, demonstrating the early church's commitment to mutual support.
Galatians 2:10In this verse, Paul recounts a commitment made at the Jerusalem Council to 'remember the poor,' which was the very mission Paul was undertaking when he wrote Romans, showing this collection was a long-standing concern and a key part of bridging the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4Here, Paul gives specific instructions to the Corinthian church about collecting funds for the saints in Jerusalem, detailing the method and purpose of the contribution, which is the same collection mentioned in Romans 15:26, revealing Paul's detailed and organized approach to this significant act of unity.
Romans 12:13This verse, from earlier in the same letter, calls believers to 'contribute to the needs of the saints,' providing the theological foundation for the practical act described in Romans 15:26, showing that sharing resources was a direct outworking of Christian fellowship and love.
jfbRomans 15:26: "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem."
- For, &c.—better, "For Macedonia and Achaia have thought good to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints which are at Jerusalem." (See Ac 24:17). "They have thought it good; and their debtors verily they are"; that is, "And well they may, considering what the Gentile believers owe to their Jewish brethren."
vincentRomans 15:26: "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem."
Contribution (κοινωνίαν)See on fellowship, Acts 2:42.Poor saints (πτωχοὺς τῶν ἁγίων)More literally, and better, the poor of the saints. Rev., among the saints. All the saints were not poor.
The phrase "poor saints" doesn't mean all the believers in Jerusalem were destitute; rather, it highlights the "poor among the saints." This subtle distinction is crucial, showing that while many in the early church faced hardship, their identity as "saints" – set apart by God – remained intact. It also reveals that this generous "contribution," which the original language calls a "fellowship," was about sharing resources and love across different communities.
Paul is explaining his upcoming trip to Jerusalem, where he will deliver a collection of funds gathered from Gentile churches. This offering is meant to support the poor believers in Jerusalem, many of whom were suffering due to persecution and economic hardship. By highlighting the generosity of the churches in Macedonia and Achaia, Paul sets the stage for appealing to the Roman believers to also participate in this act of mutual support and unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Paul is explaining his upcoming trip to Jerusalem, where he will deliver a collection of funds gathered from Gentile churches. This offering is meant to support the poor believers in Jerusalem, many of whom were suffering due to persecution and economic hardship. By highlighting the generosity of the churches in Macedonia and Achaia, Paul sets the stage for appealing to the Roman believers to also participate in this act of mutual support and unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
"For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual bles…" — The phrase "poor saints" doesn't mean all the believers in Jerusalem were destitute; rather, it highlights the "poor among the saints." This subtle distinction is crucial, showing that while many i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
