Romans 15:31
that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul wasn't just asking for protection from his enemies; he was also deeply concerned that his ministry, specifically the collection he was bringing, would be welcomed by the believers in Jerusalem. This reveals his awareness that prejudice, even among fellow Christians, could hinder God's work and fracture unity.
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, carrying a significant collection from the Gentile churches to support the struggling believers there. He anticipates danger from unbelieving Jews in Judea who oppose his ministry and views him as an apostate. Additionally, he worries that some Jewish Christians in Jerusalem might be prejudiced against him and the Gentile offering, potentially causing friction within the church.
Paul asks for prayer to be delivered from a specific group of people. Who were they, and why were they such a threat?
Danger from His Own People
Paul is heading back to Jerusalem, a city full of his own countrymen. But he's not just worried about general danger; he's specifically asking for deliverance from "them that do not believe" (or "the disobedient") in Judea.
These weren't just random opponents. They were likely Jewish people who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. For them, Paul was a dangerous apostate, actively working against everything they held sacred. They had a deep-seated opposition to him, not just personally, but theologically, viewing him as a threat to their traditions and laws. The danger was so real that his fears were later confirmed with his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21).
It's a stark reminder that sometimes the greatest opposition comes from those who once shared your beliefs or cultural background.
Paul wasn't just concerned about his safety; he also prayed about how his 'service' would be received. What was this service, and why was its acceptance so important?
The Delicate Diplomacy of a Gift
Paul's "service" here refers to the collection he had organized from Gentile churches to support the struggling believers in Jerusalem. This wasn't just charity; it was a powerful act of unity.
However, there was a real concern that this gift might not be welcomed. Many Jewish Christians in Jerusalem still held onto strong prejudices against Gentiles, seeing them as 'unclean' and questioning the validity of their faith and practices. Paul feared that the very people he was trying to help, and the Gentile believers whose love he was trying to demonstrate, might face division or rejection.
His prayer that the gift would be "acceptable to the saints" shows his deep desire for reconciliation and for this practical act of love to truly cement the bond between Jewish and Gentile believers.
Understand the original words
rhyōmai · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this refers to being rescued, rescued from danger, or set free from hostile opposition or spiritual entrapment. It often implies a divine intervention that provides safety or escape.
apeitheō · Greek Adjective (Participle)
Refers to those who lack faith in God or His message, specifically those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. It denotes a state of persistent disbelief or defiance against God's revealed truth.
diakonia · Greek Noun
Derived from the concept of ministry or deacon-work, it refers to an act of service, often financial or charitable, offered to others for the sake of the kingdom of God. It carries the nuance of a sacrificial act done in obedience to Christ.
hagios · Greek Noun
Paul's plea reveals the deep divisions within the early church. He faced threats not only from outside opposition but also from potential prejudice within the Jerusalem church, highlighting the delicate balance of his ministry and the importance of the Gentile offering.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Council addressed the issue of Gentile inclusion in the early church, establishing that Gentiles did not need to follow Jewish law. This decision, however, did not fully resolve tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers.
c. AD 52-56
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
During this extended period, Paul likely wrote the Epistle to the Romans. He was planning a trip to Jerusalem to deliver a collection for the poor believers there.
c. AD 56— this verse
Paul's Journey to Jerusalem
Paul traveled to Jerusalem with a significant financial offering from Gentile churches to support the impoverished Jewish believers. This trip was fraught with danger and the spiritual opposition he anticipated.
c. AD 56
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul was recognized by hostile Jews, who incited a riot. Roman soldiers intervened and arrested him, saving him from the mob but leading to his imprisonment.
This passage describes the actual event where Paul is seized in Jerusalem by the unbelieving Jews, highlighting the very danger Paul prayed to be delivered from in Romans 15:31.
2 Corinthians 8:1-4This shows the context of Paul's 'service' or 'ministry' to Jerusalem, detailing the generous contributions from the Gentile churches that he was bringing to the poor believers there.
Galatians 2:9-10This passage reveals the mutual recognition and agreement between Paul and the Jerusalem leaders regarding his ministry to the Gentiles and their commitment to remember the poor, which relates to the acceptance of Paul's gift.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2Similar to Romans 15:31, Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for his protection and for the successful reception of his ministry, showing a consistent pattern of prayer requests for divine help and acceptance.
ellicottRomans 15:31: "That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;"
(31) From them that do not believe. —This prayer of the Apostle was, perhaps, it may be said, partially granted. He escaped with his life from his unbelieving countrymen ( Acts 23:27 ), but only to be delivered over to the Romans. He was naturally in fear of the party to which he had himself once belonged, and who would regard him as one…
jfbRomans 15:31: "That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;"
- That I may be delivered from them that do not believe—"that do not obey," that is, the truth, by believing it; as in Ro 2:8.in Judea—He saw the storm that was gathering over him in Judea, which, if at all, would certainly burst upon his head when he reached the capital; and the event too clearly showed the correctness of these apprehe…
Paul wasn't just asking for protection from his enemies; he was also deeply concerned that his ministry, specifically the collection he was bringing, would be welcomed by the believers in Jerusalem. This reveals his awareness that prejudice, even among fellow Christians, could hinder God's work and fracture unity.
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, carrying a significant collection from the Gentile churches to support the struggling believers there. He anticipates danger from unbelieving Jews in Judea who oppose his ministry and views him as an apostate. Additionally, he worries that some Jewish Christians in Jerusalem might be prejudiced against him and the Gentile offering, potentially causing friction within the church.
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, carrying a significant collection from the Gentile churches to support the struggling believers there. He anticipates danger from unbelieving Jews in Judea who oppose his ministry and views him as an apostate. Additionally, he worries that some Jewish Christians in Jerusalem might be prejudiced against him and the Gentile offering, potentially causing friction within the church.
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A term meaning 'holy ones' or 'set apart ones.' It describes those who have been sanctified by God through faith in Christ and are dedicated to His purposes.
c. AD 57-60
Paul's Imprisonment
Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea and later Rome, appealing his case to Caesar. His ministry continued through letters and visitors during this period.
"that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints," — Paul wasn't just asking for protection from his enemies; he was also deeply concerned that his ministry, specifically the collection he was bringing, would be welcomed by the believers in Jerusalem.…
