28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
15:28
Therefore,
Verse 28 sums up Paul’s travel plans.
when I have performed this
After Paul delivered the donations from the Greek churches to Jerusalem, he would then move on his plan to bring the gospel to the western Roman Empire.
and have sealed to them this fruit,
“This fruit” is the contribution to the Jerusalem church (vv. 25-27). The idea of sealing is to securely transfer responsibility of ownership. Paul was responsible in his handling of the money given by the Greek churches. He handed over the donations to responsible people.
I shall go by way of you to Spain.
Rome was just a stop-off on Paul’s way to Spain. Little did he know that his arrival in Rome would be as a prisoner.
15:29
But I know that when I come to you,
Paul expressed a certainty about his coming to Rome with blessings.
I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Paul would come to the Roman church with the full blessing of his message. God gave Paul authorities flowing from the unique gift of apostleship. These would include the right to write Scripture and to lay the foundation for the church.
PRINCIPLE:
To be mission oriented, we must be goal oriented.
APPLICATION:
Paul constantly pushed the frontiers of missions. He marched to the singular vision of reaching people for Christ. Many Christians stand still and watch the world go by without Christ. We need to be definitive about reaching others for Christ.
