Romans 15:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“When, therefore, I have completed this and sealed to them this fruit,” that is, as though placing it in the royal treasury, in an inaccessible and secure place. He did not say “alms,” but again “fruit,” showing that those who give alms themselves receive profit. “I shall go by way of you to Spain.” Again he mentions Spain, showing his care and affection for its inhabitants.

“When I have completed this and have faithfully delivered to them this fruit of zeal.” That is, as though he had placed it in the royal treasuries, in an inaccessible and secure place, for such is what is sealed. By saying “fruit,” he shows that those who give alms receive great profit from it. “I shall go by way of you to Spain.” Again he mentions Spain, showing thereby that his journey there is necessary for him, and that he will pass through Rome not because he despises them.

See how swift the preaching is. It is not content with spreading to the east, but wishes to fly also to the west.

The Apostle says, “having sealed to them this fruit,” that is, to the Macedonians and Achaeans. For through the hands of the saints I offer what was sent to the right hand of God, and it will preserve this untouched and unharmed.

Now the Apostle is going to Jerusalem to minister to the poor Christians there, the saints, and to carry the offerings collected for them in Macedonia and Achaia. Thus the Gentiles show zeal for the Jews, and they ought to do so. With material things they repay the spiritual blessings they received from Jerusalem. By his own example, and by the example of the Macedonians and Achaeans, the Apostle teaches the Romans the mutual relation that should exist among Christians. After fulfilling this ministry to the saints and faithfully delivering it to them, he will then go to Spain through Rome. He will have sealed the alms of the Macedonians and Achaeans by placing them, as it were, in the royal treasury.

He then appoints the time of his arrival in Rome. For many years his preaching labors in countries far from Rome had prevented it. The Apostle now only has to deliver monetary assistance to the Christians of Jerusalem from the brethren of Macedonia and Achaia. “When I have completed this and have faithfully delivered to them this fruit of zeal,” the Apostle says to the Romans, “I shall go by way of you to Spain” (Rom 15:28). Therefore the Apostle asks the Romans for prayers, “that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you” (Rom 15:32).

The Apostle describes his situation to the Romans not without purpose. By pointing to the fruits of Christianity in Greece, he gives the Romans a lesson in the same manifestation of living Christian love. At the same time, he indicates approximately when he might arrive among them. In the Apostle's reference to his journey to Jerusalem, Chrysostom sees a skillful lesson and therefore writes: "Here one must especially marvel at the Apostle's wisdom, because he devised such a way to counsel them. He could influence the Romans more by this than by exhortation itself. They would have considered it offensive if the Apostle had set the Corinthians and Macedonians before them as an example to imitate.

"Having completed" means having fulfilled this work of ministry to the poor saints. "Having sealed" means "as though placing it in a royal treasury, in an inaccessible and secure place" (Chrysostom). "For them" means "for the Macedonians and Achaeans" (blessed Theodoret). Through the hands of the poor saints, I place their alms in the treasury of God and seal it there. Thus it will be preserved there for them forever. "For through the hands of the saints I bring what was sent to the right hand of God, and it will preserve this untouched and unharmed" (blessed Theodoret). "And he did not say 'alms,' but again 'fruit,' thereby indicating that those who give alms themselves remain in profit from it" (Chrysostom).