gentile gratitude

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Paul shares his plans for the future with his readers in Rome. He about his upcoming trip to Jerusalem to deliver a contribution from many of the churches he has founded. He has talked about this collection in many of his letters. Here he explains it as a natural that the gentile churches who have come to share in the spiritual gifts of the Christians of Jerusalem would want to share their material blessings. What he means is that, in Christ, gentiles have become part of the people of God, which previously was only possible for Jews. Earlier in Romans Paul used the image of gentiles being grafted into the root of Abraham. In other words, we gentiles ought to be grateful to God for making us a part of his people, and we should be generous to the original people of God who have welcomed us in.

Welcoming gentiles wasn't always easy or favored among Jewish Christians. If we look back to Acts, the first church council was held to decide this very question. While Acts makes hospitality to gentile believers seem like a settled question, we can see in Paul's letters that the place of gentiles and the role of Jewish law and tradition in the Christian life were still very much in dispute. With this tension surrounding his ministry to the gentiles, the collection from gentile Christians for the poor, Jewish Christians in Jerusalem was an important ministry. That's why Paul asks for the Roman Christians prayer for his acceptance by the Christians in Jerusalem and for God's protection from the Jewish leaders who opposed Christianity. As it turns out, Jerusalem is where Paul is arrested for the last time.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 15:25-33

25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; 26for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27They 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. 28So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; 29and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.


30I 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, 31that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.