Romans 15:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What does "in the fullness of blessing" mean? The Apostle is speaking either of possessions or, in general, of every good work. He customarily calls almsgiving a blessing, as he does many other things. For example, he says, "as a blessing, and not as covetousness" (2 Cor 9:5). Even in the Old Testament it was customary to call almsgiving by this name. But since the Apostle added here "of the Gospel," we affirm that by blessing he means not possessions alone, but all the rest as well. It is as though he says: I know that when I come to you, I shall find you prosperous in everything. You will be abounding in good things and worthy of many good praises, according to the Gospel. This is a wondrous way of giving counsel: to anticipate them with praises. Since the Apostle avoids presenting his thought in the form of exhortation, he undertakes this manner of correction.

That is, “I shall see you well tested in all the good things of the Gospel.” By “the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel” he means all blessings worthy of blessing, that is, of praise according to the Gospel. But you may also understand “blessing” as almsgiving, so that the thought is this: “I shall find you perfect in almsgiving and love for mankind.” He says this in anticipation, so that, put to shame by his praises, they may strive to appear such.

And I know that when I go, or intend to go, to you, I shall come by the command of the Lord for the preaching of the Gospel.

The full blessing refers to miracles, and through it they were confirmed.

By “the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel,” the Apostle meant the dangers to which he was subjected in Jerusalem for the Gospel. The following words make this clear.

The Apostle knew that, because of the preaching of Christ, he would be brought to Rome in chains. Therefore he foretold that he would come in the fullness of blessing, for he knew that he possessed no less grace than the other apostles.

“In the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.” The Apostle expresses the hope that his preaching of the Gospel in Rome also will be blessed by God and will bring blessing to those who hear it.

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.

"In the fullness," έν πληρώματι, means in fullness. I shall come in the fullness of blessing, or full of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. This means all the gracious gifts given to those who receive and keep the Gospel of Christ, or faith in Christ the Lord. I shall come in this way, he says, of course in order to make them also partakers of the gifts. He promises this, having been informed by the Spirit that some spiritual gift would indeed be given them for their strengthening. This was the very purpose for which he desired to see them; see Rom 1:11. Or he means that, just as in other places Christ the Lord wrought many things through him by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, so He would act in the same way among them.