15:25-32
Money Talk: Paul's Collection
Paul has taken up a collection in Greece and plans to take the money to the "poor among the saints at Jerusalem." He states that the Gentiles owed "these material things" to the "saints at Jerusalem" in return for the "spiritual blessings" that the saints shared with the Gentiles. After delivering the money to Jerusalem, Paul intends to go West to Spain after first visiting the "church" in Rome. He appeals to the "brothers and sisters" in Rome by the "Lord Jesus Christ" and the "love of the Spirit" to pray for the success of his mission and for his joyful subsequent arrival in Rome to be "refreshed in their company."
15:25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; 15:26 for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 15:27 They were pleased to do this, 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 things.
15:28 So, when I have completed this,
and have delivered to them what has been collected,
I will set out by way of you to Spain;15:29 and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
15:30 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,
by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,
to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf,
15:31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,
and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
15:32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.
Paul was arrested and imprisoned in Judea for two years before being sent as a prisoner to Rome where he was beheaded. There is no mention of his having delivered the money to the "saints."