Romans 15:30- 33 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
This is the ending of the body of this letter. Chapter 16 marks the beginning of the formal closing. Paul gives a final appeal in these verses. It is a personal appeal for himself, asking God to help him continue in his mission. He requests that the Romans pray for him. Prayer is a powerful way to partner with people. We can lift their burdens and intercede in their behalf. God may lead us to partner in some way with those we pray for. Paul knows that when he takes the offering to Jerusalem, he is in enemy territory. It will be difficult and dangerous. The unbelievers in Judea will seek to cause him harm. Paul is being prophetic here, because that is exactly what happened as he was arrested in the temple courts. He also hopes that the offering will be well received by the believers in Jerusalem. More than likely, they will receive the help with thanksgiving. Perhaps the deeper issue is that Paul hopes that these believers will see the sacrifice that the Gentiles have made for them. This will bring more unity to the church and cause more walls to fall down. This is a powerful thought, especially with the ethnic and religious barriers even in the early church. If all goes as planned, and with God’s blessings, when all this is completed, the way would be opened for Paul to go to Rome. God answered Paul’s prayers but not in the way Paul hoped. God answers our prayers but not always how we hope but what is best for us and God’s kingdom. Many of Paul’s most significant letters were written while he was imprisoned on his way to Rome and while he was in Rome. God used Paul in a different way, one that brought pain and suffering for Paul but ultimately glory to God. Our plans may not work out how we want, but we can be assured that God has our ultimate best in mind when we commit all our plans to him.
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