Paul’s pursuit of his apostleship to the Gentiles has been extraordinary in fruitfulness and clarity: to go to places among the nations where the church is absent, stay until a locally-led, healthy church is established, then move on to the next place. This clarity over strategy has taken Paul into all the provinces from Jerusalem through to Illyricum (on the Adriatic coast), and now Paul looks beyond Rome to Spain (vs 24,28). 

One of his reasons for writing, is to announce both his intention to visit and his purpose in coming. He plans to come in the full anointing of Christ’s blessing (v 29), to impart spiritual gifts to them (Romans 15:19) and to seek their help in taking the gospel to Spain (v 24). Paul has stressed his desire both to give and receive from the beginning of the letter (Romans 1:11,12), and here his passionate concern for their partnership in prayer is really marked (vs 30–32). Intercessory cover isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ for Paul, but an utterly essential preparing of the ground (Colossians 4:2–4).

But first – still holding Gentile and Jewish Christians together and emphasising their mutual responsibility – Paul intends to ensure that the gift from the Gentile churches for the poor among the church in Jerusalem is safely delivered (vs 25–28).

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’¹ 

An unspoken ‘but’ echoes through these verses. Here are not mere conventional, concluding remarks. The accumulated weight of this letter’s content adds layers of meaning to these final paragraphs. Paul’s quickly sketched plans are breathtaking in their boldness: a journey to Rome; a journey to Jerusalem; a journey to Spain (around 3000 miles).² The unpredictable conditions of the time and our own knowledge of what would actually happen to Paul, all raise these ‘but’ questions. Is there a hint of arrogance in his assertions? No, Paul does not shift from his ‘of Christ’ (v 29), ‘by … Christ’ (v 30) focus. His confidence is only in him.³

‘But’ (v 23) brings Paul back to the reason for his mission and ministry to the Roman Christians. His calling is his ministry to the Gentiles, hence his plans later for a brief stopover on the way to Spain (v 24). The gospel message is what he has been explaining, with its challenging outworking for the Roman believers. Longing that there should be unity between them, Paul invites them to share with him in supporting his ministry in practical ways (v 24). He is en route to Jerusalem now and is taking a gift from Gentile believers (v 26) to the impoverished Christian Jews there. He takes the opportunity to remind his Roman readers of the logic that they, who have received so much spiritually from Jewish believers, are indebted to them.

So, dear friends, Paul pleads, join me in this work – ‘pray for me’ (vs 30–33). He knows there will be troubles ahead – the unbelievers in Judea, the safe delivery of the gift, not to mention famine, riots, trials, imprisonment, shipwreck.⁴ Yet, in spite of uncertain times, Paul is confident and joyful, signing off with a prayer of peace for them all (v 33).  

Uncertain of the future? Hear Paul’s prayer spoken for you: ‘The God of peace be with you’ (v 33).

¹ Rom 8:28  ² John Stott, The Message of Romans, IVP, 1994, p384  ³ Gal 6:14–16  ⁴ Acts 21–28